derdegeneratie

Derdegeneratie is a Dutch term that literally means the third generation. It is primarily used in genealogical and sociological discourse to denote individuals or cohorts belonging to the third generation after a common ancestor. In family histories, derdegeneratie helps describe patterns of inheritance, upbringing, education, and social status across generations.

Origin and usage: The term combines derde (the third) and generatie (generation). In formal Dutch writing the phrase is often treated as a single noun, derdegeneratie, though the more natural everyday phrasing is usually "de derde generatie" rather than a collapsed form.

Contexts and limitations: Derdegeneratie is not a technical term in genetics, medicine, or formal science. When used, it generally refers to a temporal generation level rather than a biological process. In research contexts, scholars typically specify the exact generation (for example, the third generation in a family tree) and the variables being studied. In non-specialist writing it can appear as a shorthand for discussions about intergenerational differences or effects.

See also and related terms: Generation, derde generatie, generatieoverdracht, intergenerationeel. In Dutch-language sources, derdegeneratie mainly appears in non-technical writing related to family history or demographic discussions; for precise analysis, explicit generation labels and context are preferred.