Additional Coverage:
- An apology to Gen X (businessinsider.com)
Gen X: The Forgotten Generation? More Like the Stealth Generation.
Gen X, that cohort born between 1965 and 1980, seems to have mastered the art of invisibility. While Millennials and Boomers duke it out in the spotlight, Gen X quietly occupies the back of the classroom, content to be overlooked. They’re not suffering from a lack of “main character syndrome” – they’re actively rejecting it.
This “forgotten generation” label isn’t entirely unearned. Media coverage tends to focus on the clash of the titans – Boomers vs.
Millennials, Millennials vs. Gen Z – leaving Gen X squeezed in the middle like the filling in an intergenerational Oreo.
Several factors contribute to this phenomenon. Sandwiched between two demographic behemoths, Gen X often serves as a transitional bridge. Comedian Jason Salmon, whose routines often highlight the Gen X experience, jokes that while younger generations identify with pronouns and older generations with flags, “there’s no emoji for concert T-shirts.”
Their under-the-radar existence is partly by design. As latchkey kids of the ’80s and ’90s, many Gen Xers learned early on to be self-sufficient.
They came of age in a time of economic prosperity but also witnessed significant shifts in technology, politics, and culture, fostering a certain cynicism. While Boomers were the “me” generation and Millennials the “me me me” generation, Gen X adopted a collective “meh.”
This “whatever” attitude, while empowering, contributes to their societal invisibility. As Erin Mantz, founder of Gen X Girls Grow Up, puts it, “We historically have wanted to kind of fly under the radar.”
But there’s more to the story. Gen X has never held the numerical dominance of Boomers or Millennials.
They were also the “least supervised” generation, often left to their own devices in a pre-helicopter parenting era. This fostered independence but also meant they weren’t the focal point of the family unit.
Megan Gerhardt, a professor of leadership and management and author of “Gentelligence,” notes that Gen X’s overlooked status is “kind of on brand.” She points to the generation’s smaller size and their independent upbringing as contributing factors.
Author Jean Twenge observes that Gen X represents a transitional phase in generational psychology. They bridge the gap between the Boomers’ focus on a meaningful philosophy of life and Millennials’ emphasis on financial well-being.
This dynamic has created a kind of generational middle-child syndrome. Gen X feels overlooked, caught between self-centered Boomers and equally self-centered Millennials.
Yet, they remain resourceful and often prefer to be left alone. Mantz emphasizes their pride in their independence and resourcefulness.
However, this “I don’t care” attitude can be a double-edged sword. Gen X was the first generation to push back against the Boomer work ethic, epitomized by films like “Office Space” and “Slackers.” While this prioritization of life over work is admirable, it also created challenges in a competitive job market fueled by Millennial hustle culture.
Despite occupying many C-suite positions, Gen X finds itself mediating between Boomer executives and Millennial managers. They’re the translators, navigating the gap between old and new.
Mantz encourages Gen X women to become more assertive and seek positions of power. She acknowledges that Gen X has been taken for granted and emphasizes the need for the generation to amplify its voice.
Gen X has also faced unique economic challenges. They transitioned into the workforce during the shift from pensions to 401(k)s, bearing the brunt of the 2008 financial crisis just as they began building wealth. They are also the first generation to navigate the pressures of today’s hypercompetitive educational landscape.
Despite these hurdles, Gen X’s cultural impact is undeniable. From iconic TV shows like “Friends” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to influential figures like Angelina Jolie and Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Gen X has shaped our world. Their contributions, however, are often less explicitly tied to their generation than those of Boomers or Millennials.
Perhaps Gen X’s moment in the sun is yet to come. Or perhaps, in true Gen X fashion, they’ll continue to operate under the radar, content to shape the world from the sidelines. Whatever.
Read More About This Story:
- An apology to Gen X (businessinsider.com)