(Originally posted June 24, 2017, and again on June 1, 2022.) While practicing gratitude (and watching TV), I felt grateful for the Baby Boomers, because they have tackled many of the problems that come with aging. The first members of Generation X became AARP eligible a few years ago and having this positive influence as I aged out of my 40s really helped diminish my anxieties. But not completely.
Originally, this blog was intended to chronicle the wondrous aging affordances now available due to the demands of those who came before, the Boomers. However, I felt that I should do a little research about Gen X first. Very enlightening!
According to the Pew Research Center, Generation Xers were born between 1965 and 1980. In 2014, we comprised 27% of the population. (Source: March 2013 Current Population Survey (IPUMS) and Pew Research Surveys, January and February 2014–http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/03/07/millennials-in-adulthood/sdt-next-america-03-07-2014-0-06/). (Update: According to a 2020 US Census Bureau Report, Gen X now comprises only 19.71% of the population. Information retrieved from Statista 2021.) This information appeared in the sidebar of a report about Millennials. No wonder Gen X is sometimes referred to as the Forgotten Generation. Less time and energy have been spent on studying Generation X than on the Baby Boomers or the Millennials. So before I feel comfortable celebrating my Generation Xness and the gifts from the previous generation, I need to understand more about myself and my generational cohort.
Instead of focusing solely on gadgetry, medical breakthroughs, and attitude adjustments, I’m going to share my journey of discovering my Gen X roots. Let’s start with a reading assignment: Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture by Douglas Coupland. Coupland is credited with popularizing the label “Generation X,” which makes this an appropriate place to begin. Please join me. You may be able to find this book at your public library. If not, you can purchase Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture at Amazon as well as other online stores.