Generational studies are fascinating. I love comparing and
   contrasting with myself and people I know. As a teenager
   (13-18), I had a job as custodian of my local church. Every day
   after school. [it was a busy building that did a lot of
   non-churchy stuff too and were messy] There was a "Woman's Study
   Room" on the 2nd floor with a small library of books. One of the
   books was: "Your Child From 8-17". Ancient book from the 1950s.
   VERY thick book. Well, I'd read through it and compare it to
   myself. I even got to peek into the future a little and managed
   to AVOID doing stupid things that were supposed to be 'typical'
   of someone my age, whatever that age was, and yet I was ok when
   I did because I knew, I was normal Of course I had to translate
   a little: "your daughter will spend hours holed up in her room,
   listening to Jazz records and not doing her chores". [yes, this
   book was pre-Elvis] This is a little different than generational
   studies but a similar idea: I like getting different mirrors to
   look at myself with, to see what's average about me, what's
   unique, what's spectacular and what needs a little extra work :)