A generation is a group of people born and living around the same time, typically spanning about 20 to 30 years, during which individuals are born, grow up, become adults, and start having children
. It can refer both to biological lineage (parent-child relationships) and to social cohorts—groups of people who share similar cultural experiences, attitudes, and historical events during their formative years
. In social sciences and demographics, a generation is often defined as a birth cohort that experiences significant events within a specific period, shaping their shared identity and worldview
. For example, Millennials are generally defined as those born between 1981 and 1996, while Generation Z includes those born from 1997 onward
. The concept of generation has evolved from simply describing family descent to encompassing broader social groupings that reflect societal changes, youth culture, and historical context
. Today, sociologists often use a generational span of about 15 years to define these cohorts more precisely for analysis and planning
. In summary, a generation is both a biological and social concept describing a group of people born around the same time who share common experiences, attitudes, and cultural characteristics shaped by the era in which they live
