Archetypes, Articles, Psychology, Topics

PSYCHOLOGY OF EACH GENERATION

by Janet Lessinupdated on January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

The Double Imprint: How Generations, Birth Order, and Faith Shape Our Conscious Path

By Janet Kira Lessin & Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D.

A vibrant, cinematic collage unfolds as a visual journey through the sweep of the 20th century, blending past and present into a single flowing narrative. A vintage rotary telephone gradually transforms into a modern smartphone, symbolizing the acceleration of communication and human connection. Nearby, a 1940s victory garden—orderly rows and hand tools rendered in sepia tones—evolves seamlessly into a contemporary organic greenhouse filled with light, innovation, and sustainable abundance. Threading through the composition is a luminous timeline that links sepia-toned historical figures to fully realized, vibrant modern people, suggesting continuity, learning, and awakening rather than rupture. The overall atmosphere is intellectual and historical, yet unmistakably hopeful, honoring the lessons of the past while pointing toward a more conscious and connected future.

The Double Imprint: How Generations, Birth Order, and Faith Shape Our Conscious Path

By Janet Kira Lessin & Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D.

Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. and I were profoundly impressed with the video “Psychology of Every Generation (1901 – 1980),” as it masterfully details how historical trauma and shared adversity forge the collective psyche. This documentary highlights how the Greatest Generation developed “stoic pragmatism” because feelings were a luxury they couldn’t afford during the Depression and WWII. It further explores how the Silent Generation learned that keeping one’s head down was a survival instinct during the Red Scare, and how Generation Jones—my own cohort—became the “bridge” generation, “jonesing” for a life promised by the Boomer boom but delayed by the stagflation of the 70s.

“The Psychology Behind Every Generation: Why We Think So Differently,” the video explains that our birth era “quietly programs how your brain sees the world,” turning generational differences from mere age gaps into fundamental differences in neurological wiring. These insights provide the essential background for why I am writing this article: to explore how these invisible “programs” shape the dynamics of our own inner circles and our shared mission.

The Common Anchor: The Greatest Generation Imprint

A vast open field is anchored by a deep-rooted, ancient oak whose broad trunk and spreading branches convey endurance and continuity. On one side of the tree, a young pioneer stands facing the distant horizon, embodying initiative, leadership, and the forward-looking spirit of the first-born. On the other side, a calm observer rests near the hearth, attentively watching the life and relationships unfolding around it, reflecting the quiet wisdom and integrative perspective of the third-born. The oak unites both roles, holding them within the same living foundation. The atmosphere is grounded and stable, evoking origins, balance, and the enduring roots from which a family and its legacy grow.

A remarkable aspect of our partnership is that, despite our 14-year age gap, both Sasha and I were raised by parents from the Greatest Generation. This shared foundation is the bedrock of our connection. We both grew up under the wings of individuals who valued duty, resilience, and the “no-nonsense” survivalism required to navigate the early 20th century.

However, the timing of our arrival into that generation’s care created a fascinating “Double Imprint”:

The Legacy-Pillar (Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D.): Born into the Silent Generation, Sasha was the first-born child (July 1940) of young parents who were still in the heat of building their post-war world. He carries the “Pioneer” imprint—the intellectual foundation and responsibility of a generation that learned to be reliable and cautious during the Red Scare era.
The Disciplined Visionary (Janet Kira Lessin): As a member of Generation Jones, I was the third child. By the time I arrived (February 1954), my parents were in their thirties and had already weathered the initial shocks of adulthood. I imprinted on their “refinement”—observing their mastery of survival from a more settled perspective.

The Architecture of Faith and Discipline

While we shared our parents’ stoicism, our individual paths were shaped by the rituals of our youth. My upbringing was defined by the unwavering discipline of the Presbyterian church; we never missed a single Sunday. This “Perfect Attendance” blueprint instilled in me the stamina and organizational drive I now use to save Victorian estates and historic castles and create cat sanctuaries. This gave me the administrative “muscle memory” to take on massive projects, requiring that relentless, Sunday-after-Sunday consistency to preserve history.

A balanced, split composition reveals two complementary worlds of learning and meaning. On the left, sunlight streams through tall stained-glass windows, casting colored patterns across a simple wooden pew and evoking a sense of order, ritual, and disciplined tradition. On the right, a vast, dimly lit library stretches into shadow, its shelves heavy with ancient books and scrolls that speak to accumulated knowledge and intellectual lineage. Between the two spaces, a luminous bridge of light forms a quiet passage, uniting faith and reason, structure and inquiry. The atmosphere is reverent and scholarly, honoring both discipline and discovery as intertwined paths to understanding.

Sasha’s secular Jewish heritage prioritized a different kind of discipline: intellectual inquiry and historical context. Growing up in a non-religious Jewish home during the Silent Generation meant a focus on intellectual survival and cultural heritage rather than ritual. The “silence” was often a protective measure; the focus shifted from the synagogue to the library or the university. This often produces an individual deeply rooted in historical context and intellectual rigor, possessing a “question everything” mentality that is baked into the culture, even without the religion.

When my community-focused stamina meets his sage-like depth, we create a synergy that allows us to deconstruct old, unconscious patterns and build a new, conscious reality.

Navigating Our Personal Archetypes

In this cosmic, ethereal scene, the Timelord archetype is depicted as a wise, hooded silhouette holding a glowing hourglass, symbolizing the preservation of time, history, and structural integrity. Standing beside him, the **Child Genius** reaches upward toward a brilliant, blossoming star, symbolizing the infinite potential of the awakened beginner. Behind them, the stars of the cosmos align into a glowing DNA-like double helix, illustrating the literal and spiritual blueprint of generational evolution.

To better understand these dynamics, we use specific archetypes to describe the “roles” we play in this historical timeline:

The Timelord (The Wise Elder): We use this term to describe the archetype of the “Wise Elder” or “Historical Keeper.” This individual holds the long-term memory of the culture, providing the structural integrity and deep context needed to ensure new ideas have a stable foundation. Sasha, as the Legacy-Pillar, embodies this role, rooted in the past but guiding the future.

The Child Genius (The Infinite Potential): This represents the archetype of “Infinite Potential” or the “Awakened Beginner.” This is the part of us that remains curious, unburdened by old dogmas, and ready to learn new ways of loving and communicating. It is the “wake up” call for all generations, embodying the spirit of conscious evolution.

A luminous, abstract tableau unfolds against the depths of the cosmos. In the foreground, two silhouetted figures stand in quiet dialogue across time: a wise, timeless presence holding a softly glowing hourglass, and beside it, the smaller silhouette of a child stretching upward toward a newly born, radiant star. Behind them, the stars themselves spiral into a DNA-like double helix, suggesting inheritance, continuity, and the transmission of knowledge across generations. The scene feels cosmic and archetypal, suspended beyond ordinary time—ethereal, symbolic, and infused with the mystery of creation and becoming.

A Living Laboratory of Generations

A wide, cinematic view of a beautifully restored Victorian estate rises from a lush, stone-walled garden as the sun sets behind it, bathing the scene in a warm, golden glow. On the lawn, people of all ages sit together in a wide circle, engaged in thoughtful, heartfelt conversation. The estate stands as a symbol of continuity and care, while the gathering below reflects shared wisdom, belonging, and renewal. The overall mood is peaceful, community-centered, and quietly triumphant—an image of harmony reclaimed and a future being shaped together.

Our inner circle serves as a living map of the 20th-century mind:

My mother and father provided the “Greatest” resilient anchor.
My brother, my sister, and close friends bring the Boomer drive for reform and “identity through work.”
A close friend from Gen X provides the “cleareyed reality” of the self-reliant latchkey generation, offering a grounded perspective free from grand promises or institutional fluff.

These complex dynamics explain why we are so focused on teaching people to “wake up” and communicate. We are leveraging these strengths—the Timelord wisdom of our elders and the Child Genius curiosity of our future—to build sanctuaries where people can learn to love one another and get along. By understanding the “era-programming” within ourselves and others, we can bridge these invisible gaps, turning potential friction into profound synergy.

Author Bios

Janet Kira Lessin Janet Kira Lessin (writing under the pen names Kira Cassandra Kinsley and Kinsley) is an investigative journalist, author, and advocate for conscious evolution. A member of Generation Jones, she leverages her background in disciplined community-building and her “Perfect Attendance” stamina to lead the charge in animal rescue and the restoration of historic Victorian estates. Her work focuses on waking up humanity through the synthesis of history, psychology, and radical love.

Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. (Contributing Author) Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D., is a renowned scholar and author specializing in anthropology and the history of human consciousness. As a first-born of the Silent Generation, he provides the deep intellectual foundation and “Timelord” wisdom that anchors their shared mission. Together with Janet, he deconstructs cultural programming to help others move toward a more conscious, connected reality.

References & Deep Dives

Video Reference 1: “Psychology of Every Generation (1901 – 1980)” – A deep dive into the historical traumas and socioeconomic factors that defined 20th-century cohorts.
Video Reference 2: “The Psychology Behind Every Generation: Why We Think So Differently” – An exploration of how our birth era “quietly programs” our neurological responses to the world.
Architectural Heritage: Learn more about our mission to save Victorian homes and create sanctuaries for rescue animals at Dragonattheendoftime.com.

Subscriber Call to Action (The “Join Us” Block)

Are you ready to break the cycle of unconscious programming?

We are building a movement where the wisdom of the Timelord meets the curiosity of the Child Genius. By supporting this Substack, you are directly financing the rescue of animals and the preservation of historic estates—creating physical spaces where people can learn to love one another and grow healthy, organic food in conscious community.

Join the inner circle and get the full story here: https://substack.com/@janetalexlessinphd

To learn more about our mission to create conscious living communities and animal sanctuaries, please join our community on Substack: https://substack.com/@janetalexlessinphd.

— Janet Kira Lessin with Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D.

For Facebook

Tone: Narrative, community-focused, and thought-provoking.

Headline: Why do we see the world so differently? 🌍✨

Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. and I have been diving deep into the “Psychology of Every Generation,” and it has revealed a fascinating “Double Imprint” that dictates how we communicate, lead, and love.

Despite our 14-year age gap, we were both raised by The Greatest Generation. In our latest article, we break down how Sasha’s “Silent Generation” intellectual foundation meets my “Generation Jones” disciplined stamina (honed by years of Presbyterian perfect attendance!).

We explore the archetypes of the Timelord and the Child Genius and show how understanding your “era-programming” is the key to building conscious communities and saving the historic estates we love.

Read the full story and join our mission here: 👇https://substack.com/@janetalexlessinphd

#Consciousness #GenerationalWealth #GenerationJones #SilentGeneration #HistoricPreservation #JanetKiraLessin #SashaLessin

For X (formerly Twitter)

Tone: Punchy, journalistic, and intriguing.

Are you “programmed” by your birth year? 🧠

Janet Kira Lessin & Sasha Alex Lessin, Ph.D. deconstruct the “Double Imprint” of the Silent Generation vs. Generation Jones. Learn how we use #Timelord wisdom to save historic estates. 🏰🐾

Full story:https://substack.com/@janetalexlessinphd

#Psychology #Consciousness #History