Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A woman’s theory about why she relates to Generation Z the most has gone viral online.Having been born in 1995, TikTok user Madison is a millennial (people born between 1981 and 1996), but she is on the younger end of her generation. For that reason, she often feels like she relates more to the generation below, Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), even referring to herself as a zillennial instead.Madison explained this in a TikTok video posted in December (@thatgirl30s) in which she said that birth order is an important factor for those who are on the cusp of two generations to help them decide which one they fit into the best.Although she is a millennial, Madison is the oldest among her siblings, with her youngest sibling having been born in 2010. Since her siblings are part of Gen Z, Madison often finds that she feels more “culturally” like their generation as she was exposed to them more.
Madison says on camera that she feels more Gen Z. She believes that birth order plays a crucial role in determining generation.
Madison says on camera that she feels more Gen Z. She believes that birth order plays a crucial role in determining generation.
@thatgirl30s / TikTok
Madison’s logic has certainly intrigued many, and the video has gone viral with more than 128,700 views and almost 10,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing. Newsweek contacted Madison via email for comment.Indeed, the TikTok user adds that she knows people who are around her age, but, because they are the youngest child in their family, they are more exposed to millennials and relate to that more. She says in the clip that they are “some of the most millennial millennials” she has ever met.Madison also highlights that there is nothing wrong with fitting into either generation, it’s merely a “clear cultural difference” that she has observed.A typical generation spans between 15 and 18 years, as explained by The Pew Research Center. Generational labels can help researchers to understand the societal changes that occur over time, including how wars, recessions, and even pandemics impact people’s lives.However, the generational distinctions aren’t an exact science, and The Pew Research Center adds that the differences within a generation can be just as great as those across different generations.Most millennials entered the workforce at the height of the economic recession, which affected their earnings and many of their life choices thereafter. They also came of age during the evolution of the internet and grew up during significant historical markers such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.In contrast, Gen Z is unique as technology has been a part of their lives from the start. They hardly remember the days before Apple invented the iPhone, and Wi-Fi has been a staple throughout. They are the first generation to grow up in an era of social media and constant online activity, which has already shown dramatic shifts in behavior and attitudes.While millennials were once the most racially and ethnically diverse adult generation, that crown was soon taken by Gen Z who are even more diverse.The Social Media ReactionAfter Madison’s theory went viral on TikTok, many people were quick to share their thoughts on her perspective. This has led to more than 1,160 comments on the TikTok video at the time of writing.One comment reads: “It’s Facebook millennials vs TikTok millennials.”Another person wrote: “I was born in 1998, my younger brother was born in 2000, and I agree I feel way more gen Z.””I’m an elder millennial and I feel culturally closer to Gen X,” added a third TikTok user.Another comment reads: “I’m ’96 and the oldest child and I also have this theory!”Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
