What is Generation X?

[ezri]

Well it's the group of people born between 1961 and 1981. It's that simple.
 

It seems we have come to be called Xers simply because we represent something negative to our elders. We may be the one thing that all of the generations who currently precede us have in common. That is--the ability to speak assuredly about our shortcomings. Of course, they overlook the fact theat we are their responsibility, or actually their fault, our generation will be called upon to look after our parents knowing that they failed to look after us. Intergenerational justice failed somewhere along the way and it will be our task to either rectify it or make it worse.

We are a group of individuals who grew up with no one at home after school. It appears we have little hope for the future. No jobs, no homes, and basically no money are almost expected of us. These bleak prospects, along with the fact that we will be forced to support the largest amount of senior citizens ever, do not provide much hope. Some believe that these blockades will be too much for us to handle and we will for the most part fail at life, but many see our individualism and resourcefulness that have been built up through our childhoods as our saviors. We will soon discover who is right and who is wrong.

And I thought Generation X belonged to those born in the 1970s.

[interloper]

Eccentric Ezri

It's (Gen X) is also a "cute" catch-phrase when a firm wishes to market it's product (eg Pepsi) when other means of marketing seems less likely to succeed.

I personally prefer to be labelled in a xyz class.

'loper

[Joseph27]

I'll tell you who we are - we are the children of the baby boomers - the as*holes who helped further ruin the planet. People who for decades had it so easy but now have the damn nerve to lecture us on our work ethics - on our commitment to our respective communities.  (bit of a rant but i'm back now  )

[bunnychow]

I think one letter to the editor in Fortune last week said it all.

The writer wrote that, although she felt bad for all the employees who suffered in the Enron scandal, she could not be help but be shocked by the naive, ridiculous sense of entitlement for job security demonstrated by baby boomers.  

Her (my) generation has been plagued by ludicrous real estate prices, an uncertain, volatile job market, no pension, an ageing population to support and a high student loans.  We will be the first generation to make less than an our parents, even with a post secondary education.   Uncertainty is in our bones, and never once have we felt entitled to job security.  Welcome, baby boomers to the age of Generation X.  

Sorry the landing was so hard.

Looks like the boomers are now finally getting a taste of what it feels like to Gen X and they can't take it.  

Oddly enough the writer came from my hometown of Vancouver, BC.  

[This message has been edited by bunnychow (edited 08-04-2002).]

[My view]

I have to agree with PhilM. Quite frankly  many of the Xers are spoilt and many think the world owes them a living. Where I come from too many of them rely on a welfare system that is just too easy and expect a govt. paid pension when they retire. They "suck" so much out of the system and don't give anything back and then turn around and whine-living beyond their means and then crashing on their backsides with a big thump...serves themselves right. Nobody "makes" you compete with the "people next door" - there is a huge difference between "need" and "want". Oh, and before someone thinks how could I possibly know, I am an Xer myself. How many people now will accept employment based on need for an income? Most people that gripe about no work are complaining about a lack of work THEY want. Xer = me, myself and I attiude.
Just a different point of view Also most expats I meet are not like this-they have left their comfort zone and are taking responsibility for their own lives.

[kes]

I have to agree with bunnychow.

There is no such thing as job security at this age and time.  I used to work with baby boomers who have been in their jobs for at least 20-25 years.  It's quite evident since the majority of the baby boomers are in middle management where the most cuts are made.

I also would like to argue in terms of who we are as a generation.  We do have role models that we look up to, our parents, the baby boomers.  Even as we rebel against them and everything that they have built, we still, at least I still do, look towards them for guidance and wisdom.

I was right at the beginning of the so-called genesis of Generation X back in the early 1990s in Seattle, WA.  My ideals were shaped by the whole alternative, generation X concept.

11 years later,  some of what I thought were ideal are now considered null and void, but some still hold true.  What I have deviated from the Generation X ideal is that no matter what and how great we think we are, we still rely on the experiences and wisdom of the baby boomers - our parents or parent.

In terms of an ageing population, I might end up supporting my mom, no doubt as a result from a system the baby boomers created themselves.

[This message has been edited by kes (edited 09-04-2002).]

[SoSo]

Seems I just fall outside generation X... bloody 'ell I must be old... One small point that should made about Generatoin X kids not having job security. If we go back to the environment of "jobs for life" then if we go back to what the Gen X parents had, then you'll have to get older to get promoted, watch inexperienced people getting promoted ahead of you etc etc... In that case, Gen X kids wouldn't yet be middle management.

[expat1]

Kes, When you say you may end up supporting your mom due to a situation of her own creating, are you implying she is any different from past generations.  Isn't it typical in Asia for the children to take care of their parents, after the parents have cared for them...  .  Why is it unfair or a situation of her own creating.  Aren't you (you figuratively) helping create this situation by still living at home.  Many young people today are staying with their parents and continuing to live off their parents, so why shouldn't the parents ever get a chance at payback.

[kes]

Expat1,

It's different in my household, since it's not a typical Asian household.  This is the first time in 11 years that I am living with a parent.  Please do not confuse me with other Singaporeans.  Under current circumstances, I am unable to move out yet.  I do not leach off my mom.

Regardless of where parents are, children will undoubtly end up supporting their parents one way or the other.  If it does come to the case of supporting my mom, I will not be doing it alone since I have another sibling.  I have had this discussion with my mom and she had said that although she has taken care of us, it would be good if we helped her out when she retires, but there is no mandatory Asian obligation to do so on my part.  Would I help her out, yes, but not because of some Asian value.  Besides, the way things are going at the moment, she is set without any help from her children.

The social security is failing in the US where if privatisation takes place, the resource to support baby boomers without any sort of retirement account will fall on Generation X.

I still mix the 2 systems up from time to time.

[This message has been edited by kes (edited 09-04-2002).]

[expat1]

Kes, I didn't mean you specifically.  Moreover, it is not just an Asian value to care for parents and family, yet it is more typically ascribed to Asians.  I am glad to help my parents whenever I can.  If there was every anything they needed, I would do my best to provide it.  I think that is because when I was young, my Dad provided for his mother as best he could.  When my grandfather died, she moved in with us.  

I think we learn our values through our parents actions.   So if your parents/mother has taken you in now (for whatever reasons), I am sure you will be willing to take in your daughter, should you have one, some time in the future.