Last year was all about celebrating girls, from Barbie and Taylor Swift's Eras Tour to TikTok trends like "girl math" and "girl dinner." We proudly dubbed it the Year of the Girl. While we cheered for these inspiring moments of women's empowerment, it's a reminder we shouldn't stop there. There's more work to do to move girls forward, to move women forward, especially by building stronger relationships between women of different ages.
In a society that often focuses on differences between generations, specifically Baby Boomers and Gen Z, a new survey is challenging that idea. Turns out, the differences between generations aren't as big as we thought. Strengthening these connections is essential to sustaining women's progress, especially in the workplace—where creating a sense of support across generations helps overcome division and empowers women of all ages.
Breaking Down Stereotypes and Embracing Shared Values in the Workplace
For the first time in modern history, all four generations—Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z—interact in the workplace. Yet, the conversation surrounding this incredible moment is usually dominated by discussions about how generations differ in their approaches to work, communication, and personal values.
Beneath the noise of the generational tug-of-war, each group shares far more similarities than previously acknowledged. Conducted by Fe league, a community of leaders across industries dedicated to improving representation and gender equity, the survey reached hundreds of women currently in the workforce.
For 50 percent of all generations, success means finding a balance between work and personal life. Interestingly, Baby Boomers and Generation Z, which comprised 60 percent of respondents, share a common view. They both define success as reaching the top of an organization or industry. On the other hand, Gen X and Millennials alike see success as leaving a meaningful impact through their work.
Even with years between them, all generations encounter the same obstacles in their career advancement. Specifically, 69 percent point to pay inequity and unclear salary structures as the biggest hurdle, while 63 percent are concerned about the lack of representation of women in decision-making roles and on boards. When women of different generations see the same challenges, it tells us that these issues are widespread.
Navigating Societal Expectations To Move Beyond the "Girl Boss"
Societal expectations exert significant influence over women across generations, shaping their perceptions of success. Regardless of age, most women feel the influence of societal expectations, pushing them to earn a substantial income (68 percent), live comfortably or luxuriously (66 percent), and attain a high-ranking job title (55 percent).
Buzzy terms such as "girl boss" can contribute to the pressure women experience as a result of societal expectations surrounding success. While the "girl boss" archetype emerged as a term of endearment and gained popularity as a cultural and social media trend, the notion of these feminized terms has lost its luster as women's successes—in title or otherwise—continue to be met with a qualifier in ways that differentiate them from their counterparts.
Survey respondents shared similar criticisms, highlighting the diminishing popularity of such terms and contributing to the misleading notion of a generational divide. Others find the terms patronizing, minimizing the achievements of women who have worked hard to reach leadership positions, and emphasizing that similar terms aren't applied to men in comparable roles.
From Shifting Priorities to Building Generational Unity
Throughout their careers, women of every generation have experienced a shift in priorities. Initially, all generations saw income and career advancement as the most influential factors in their professional development. However, as their careers advanced, they now prioritize income and work-life balance above all other considerations. When you consider the state of pay parity, which has only seen a $2 improvement in the past two decades, the fact that the priority of income prevails is not surprising.
It's important to recognize shared values to debunk the perception of significant differences among generations and strengthen generational unity. Creating a supportive space for diverse needs and ambitions involves open dialogue, active listening, and story exchange, which help dispel stereotypes and nurture empathy.
Mentorship programs, especially those embracing reverse mentorship, are essential for knowledge exchange across generations and creating a true pipeline that grows representation. Inclusive policies, such as flexible work arrangements and leadership programs that recognize diverse priorities, foster a workplace that acknowledges understanding and options as core elements of how we drive underrepresented groups to the top.
While 2023 was for the girls, 2024 marks the year we move beyond empowerment and take action in a shared understanding and confidence in the unity among us. This study's new data confirms what we already knew. We share much more than that which divides us, and it will take all of us embracing that truth to make change happen.
Amanda Herring is co-founder and CEO of Fe league.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
