We Gen X are it

We often use phrases or words that we don’t fully understand. Sometimes we
even use words or phrases the meanings of which we are totally clueless. As
people with a passion for words and language, that is generally not viewed as a
desirable trait. Yet, the plain fact is we can’t have a detailed understanding
of every word or phrase…particularly when the word belongs to the jargon of a
larger body of knowledge.

However, when that jargon is in use as often and frequently as the phrases
“Gen X” or “Baby Boomer”, it seems especially important we have some
reasonably good idea of what these terms actually mean. Although these phrases,
as jargon, stem from the larger discipline of demographics, and are used most
frequently by market researchers, the fact is everybody uses these words and
phrases. In effect, these cue words or phrases for the subcomponents of society
demarcated by age are not only useful, but are generally the language used by
non-demographers and society as a whole when discussing the current spectrum of
population cohorts.

Our goal, this month, then, is to provide a primer on the identification and
description of the population cohorts in America as currently widely (but not
universally) agreed upon by demographers and market researchers.


The Depression Era

Born: 1912-1921
Coming of Age: 1930-1939
Age in 2004: 83 to 92
Current Population: 11-12 million (and declining rapidly)

Depression era individuals tend to be conservative, compulsive savers,
maintain low debt and use more secure financial products like CDs versus stocks.
These individuals tend to feel a responsibility to leave a legacy to their
children. Tend to be patriotic, oriented toward work before pleasure, respect
for authority, have a sense of moral obligation.


World War II

Born: 1922 to 1927
Coming of Age: 1940-1945
Age in 2004: 77-82
Current Population: 11 million (in quickening decline)

People in this cohort shared in a common goal of defeating the Axis
powers. There was an accepted sense of “deferment” among this group,
contrasted with the emphasis on “me” in more recent (i.e. Gen X)
cohorts.


Post-War Cohort

Born: 1928-1945
Coming of Age: 1946-1963
Age in 2004: 59 to 76
Current Population: 41 million (declining)

This generation had significant opportunities in jobs and education as the War ended and a
post-war economic boom struck America. However, the growth in Cold War tensions,
the potential for nuclear war and other never before seen threats led to levels
of discomfort and uncertainty throughout the generation. Members of this group
value security, comfort, and familiar, known activities and environments.


Boomers I or The Baby Boomers

Born: 1946-1954
Coming of Age: 1963-1972
Age in 2004: 50-58
Current Population: 33 million

For a long time the Baby Boomers were defined as those born between 1945 and
1964. That would make the generation huge (71 million) and encompass people who
were 20 years apart in age. It didn’t compute to have those born in 1964
compared with those born in 1946. Life experiences were completely different.
Attitudes, behaviors and society were vastly different. In effect, all the
elements that help to define a cohort were violated by the broad span of years
originally included in the concept of the Baby Boomers. The first Boomer segment
is bounded by the Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations, the Civil
Rights movements and the Vietnam War. Boomers I were in or protested the War.
Boomers 2 or the Jones Generation missed the whole thing.

Boomers I had good economic opportunities and were largely optimistic about the
potential for America and their own lives, the Vietnam War notwithstanding.


Boomers II or Generation Jones

Born: 1955-1965
Coming of Age: 1973-1983
Age in 2004: 39 to 49
Current Population: 49 million

This first post-Watergate generation lost much of its trust in government and
optimistic views the Boomers I maintained. Economic struggles including the oil
embargo of 1979 reinforced a sense of “I’m out for me” and narcissism and
a focus on self-help and skepticism over media and institutions is
representative of attitudes of this cohort. While Boomers I had Vietnam, Boomers
II had AIDS as part of their rites of passage. The youngest members of the
Boomer II generation in fact did not have the benefits of the Boomer I class as
many of the best jobs, opportunities, housing etc. were taken by the larger and
earlier group. Both Gen X and Boomer II s suffer from this long shadow cast by
Boomers I.


Generation X

Born: 1966-1976
Coming of Age: 1988-1994
Age in 2004: 28 to 38
Current Population: 41 million

Sometimes referred to as the “lost” generation, this was the first
generation of “latchkey” kids, exposed to lots of daycare and divorce. Known
as the generation with the lowest voting participation rate of any generation,
Gen Xers were quoted by Newsweek as “the generation that dropped out without
ever turning on the news or tuning in to the social issues around them.”

Gen X is often characterized by high levels of skepticism, “what’s in it for
me” attitudes and a reputation for some of the worst music to ever gain
popularity. Now, moving into adulthood William Morrow (Generations) cited the
childhood divorce of many Gen Xers as “one of the most decisive experiences
influencing how Gen Xers will shape their own families”.

Gen Xers are arguably the best educated generation with 29% obtaining a
bachelor’s degree or higher (6% higher than the previous cohort). And, with
that education and a growing maturity they are starting to form families with a
higher level of caution and pragmatism than their parents demonstrated. Concerns
run high over avoiding broken homes, kids growing up without a parent around and
financial planning.


Generation Y, Echo Boomers or Millenniums

Born: 1977-1994
Coming of Age: 1998-2006
Age in 2004: 10 to 22
Current Population: 71 million

The largest cohort since the Baby Boomers, their high numbers reflect their
births as that of their parent generation. The last of the Boomer Is and most of
the Boomer II s. Gen Y kids are known as incredibly sophisticated, technology
wise, immune to most traditional marketing and sales pitches…as they not only
grew up with it all, they’ve seen it all and been exposed to it all since
early childhood.

Gen Y members are much more racially and ethnically diverse and they are much
more segmented as an audience aided by the rapid expansion in Cable TV channels,
satellite radio, the Internet, e-zines, etc.

Gen Y are less brand loyal and the speed of the Internet has led the cohort to
be similarly flexible and changing in its fashion, style consciousness and where
and how it is communicated with.

Gen Y kids often raised in dual income or single parent families have been more
involved in family purchases…everything from groceries to new cars. One in
nine Gen Yers has a credit card co-signed by a parent.


Generation Z

Born: 1995-2012
Coming of Age: 2013-2020
Age in 2004: 0-9
Current Population: 23 million and growing rapidly

While we don’t know much about Gen Z yet…we know a lot about the environment
they are growing up in. This highly diverse environment will make the grade
schools of the next generation the most diverse ever. Higher levels of
technology will make significant inroads in academics allowing for customized
instruction, data mining of student histories to enable pinpoint diagnostics and
remediation or accelerated achievement opportunities.

Gen Z kids will grow up with a highly sophisticated media and computer
environment and will be more Internet savvy and expert than their Gen Y
forerunners. More to come on Gen Z…stay tuned.

i was democrat until 9/11 then switched to Independent, and voted republican this election.
Why? Trump is not a career politian but a business man with a proven record for getting things done.
Did i give a shit about locker room talk years ago? Hell no,he is male and human.
The libs said Trump doesnt have the personality to be pres. I didnt vote for personality,i voted for integrity and for the man who will get the job done.

You Gen Xers will be whining and crying soon to us Boomers to come save your asses soon!

Bunch of uneducated losers.

Most Millennials are the children of Boomers. It's a dandy feedback loop.

Except we Gen-Xers are a more educated generation than Boomers. Sorry. Wander off with your rockstar sized touring bus and knock around jeep to practice wildlife photography with your 401k.

*Raises hand*

1978

I also hold two degrees, and served four years for our DoD. Would gladly repeat, but I'm too old now...they want spring chickens, not 30-something's =)

Gen X'ers rock!

My oldest daughter is a millennial by the rules of mathematics, but she's no whiny, helpless slouch.

She's a capable young lady who can balance a checkbook, handle firearms, take care of herself. Managed 'A's in HS & is a sophomore college student.

Not ALL millenials are dipshits - just a whole helluva lot of them.

Last Edited by Cactus31 on 11/12/2016 02:28 PM

"Gen X’ers, incidentally, are among the most highly educated generation in the U.S.: 35% have college degrees vs. 19% of Millennials."


source: [link to www.forbes.com]


Boomers were greedy little shits. Millennials are snowflakes.

OP is right. We're the last, best hope ya got.

the Pong haha...we get it!

Has anybody seen the keys to my Fiero?

I seem to have dropped them somewhere in this thread.

The best thing about my Generation X status? I can't be bullshitted.

.... before you give us something to whine about... Right?

[link to m.youtube.com (secure)]

Gen X'rs and their 90's kids! I have 5 millenials 30, 28, 22, 20 & 18. Two oldest are step children and born in late 80s. But 4 out of my 5 voted Trump. The one that lives and was raised in San Diego voted Hillary.

&

Me? I hate being thrown in with the boomers. I am on the last day of such a designation but my parents were in it.
Where am I? I have no label?

They need to tighten up those broad years of designations. The boomer years go way way too far and gen y or x is too young.
Reminds me of the 3 little bears fable. lol

boomers made many snowflakes as well.. many late 20's early 20s living with mom and dad still.

The MAJORITY of Millennials were parented by Boomers.

one of the few good memories of Kerry.

before he became a socialist turd

;)

Try harder, fucking scam

Generation Jones here...ty citizen perth cain for the specific info. So I am a Jones...great:(

My husband has always loved this nasty song.
So I am Mrs. Jones... say it ain't true!

I was born in 1975.

We had the lowest birth rate in US history, three years into Roe v. Wade. We had Ryan White and latch keys and the whole fucking shebang. The reason why there aren't so many of us is our parents were busy with disco and cocaine. The majority of us are lucky we were were born with limbs. Thank God there are few of us.

All we owe this world is to not fuck it up any worse.

Everyone I know who is my age - we have great kids (it's the lack of cocaine and disco that helps there) IF we chose to have them, and we don't fuck up the world any worse than it is.

Last Edited by SugarSand on 11/12/2016 03:35 PM

We'll never be a demographic that matters in numbers.

there are so few of us, and in times of trouble we retreat to our rooms and play The Cure.

YOU were truley wanted. That ROE V WADE decision became a fad like a man bun and amish beard etc. I worked as a waitress in college in an upper middle class area. All of my female co waitresses went to TCU too. A PRIVATE expensive university. I WAS THE ONLY ONE who had not had an abortion. Lots had more than one. I was a christian and felt completely outcast to say ..."No, I have not had an abortion". I will never forget that. It started me further on my road that I am still on to be PRO LIFE> There were 9 of us. These were beautiful privelaged white girls who were intelligent and had the world by the golden ring. The kind that no one would have thought would have done so at the time. I have kept in touch with several of them and they have told me that 6 have had breast cancer and 3 died from it

Y loves Australia :)

Generation Z shall man the fort... just for you... even if it glows in the dark!

Entropy has nothing on you, sweet Citizen Perth :)