Generation X Facts: That We Bet You Haven't Heard Before
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Generation X is used to refer to those individuals that were born during the year 1965-1980.
Other names that are used to describe Gen X include post boomers, and baby busters, among a few others. Those born after Gen X falls into the group of the millennial generation.
Some of the characteristics of Gen X include their flexible nature and their skeptical attitude towards the world. Gen X was born during a time when a lot was happening out in the world.
All those events have hardened their views and have made them very skeptical. They don't take anything for granted.
Instead, they question everything that comes along their way. Gen X didn't receive as much parental guidance as children do today.
This, in turn, has made them much more independent, and as adults, they are now being able to carry out almost every task with ease. They no longer depend on other individuals and have the potential to go through any situation on their own. Gen Xers are also known to have excellent technical knowledge.
They can operate any new smartphone, tablet, or computer with ease. However, not many of those belonging to Gen X have much knowledge about retirement savings plans.
In fact, a majority of Gen Xers are still unsure about social security and its advantages. According to a survey, the population of Gen Xers in the year 2019 stood at 65.2 million.
Demographics Of Generation X
The term Generation X is used to categorize people born during the years 1965-1980. However, the same years have not yet been determined and may vary.
Also known as post boomers, Gen Xers are born after baby boomers and before millennials.
'Baby boomers' is that category of people who were born during the year 1946-1964, and their parents belong to the Silent generation. The reason behind this unique name is the people of the Silent Generation were born at a time when war and economic depression waged across various parts of this world.
Millennials and Generation Z are, in fact, the product of Gen Xers. Some other standard terms that are used in place of Generation X include latchkey generation and baby busters.
The generation gap between these age groups influences individuals' actions, tastes, and beliefs. Therefore, you will often see that young adults of today's world have a tough time understanding the behavior of their parents or grandparents.
Generation X Statistics
In the year 2019 alone, the population of Gen Xers stood at 65.2 million. Post boomers and latchkey generation are some other terms used to describe them. You might wonder, why is this term used to define them?
The reason behind this is that, during that time, the rate of divorce cases was relatively higher than with other generations. Moreover, single parenthood was also a pretty common practice among divorced parents. Hence, they were called latchkey generations since adult supervision of Gen Xers was significantly reduced.
An interesting fact about Gen Xers is that they were the first generation that had the privilege to use their own personal computers.
During this period, the society and culture of the United States of America were undergoing several changes, which largely influenced the behavior and beliefs of the Gen Xers.
For example, it was during this time the number of women employed in work outside the home was significantly higher than in previous multiple generations. The concept of both parents working slowly started to arise, which in turn affected the amount of parent supervision of the Gen Xers as children.
Friends and peers played a vital role during such a time, as most Gen Xers, as children, spent most of the day with them only.
As much as 35% of the United States of America workforce comprises Gen Xers or baby boomers. During the 80s, various new innovations in style, form, and quality of music started to emerge.
Hip-hop music especially went through many innovations, and some of the famous artists of that period include Jay-Z, Tupac, MC Hammer, and KRS-One, among others. Thus, you can well imagine how much this particular generation was influenced by music.
The era of the '80s was also the year when some significant historical moments were captured. One, for example, in the fall of the Berlin Wall, which took place in the year 1989.
Characteristics Of Gen X
Now that you know what precisely the term Gen X means and why they are called Gen Xers, among other names, let's look at some of the characteristics of Gen Xers.
As mentioned earlier, it was during this period that the divorce rate was relatively high, and more and more families were shifting towards single parenthood. The new phenomenon of increased cases of single parenthood led to a reduction of adult supervision on Gen Xers.
Thus, they became more skeptical and did not take everything for granted.
Not being able to take the help of their parents, they had to complete houseful chores or many other tasks on their own and were often more independent than generations before them or generations of today. Thus, the sense of independence grew much faster in them than in most other generations.
The productivity rate among them is relatively higher, especially when they are alone.
Furthermore, it was also the era of digital technology since it was during this time that cell phones were introduced, and so was the Internet. Gen Xers are tech-savvy; they can operate technological devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones with ease.
Yet another characteristic of Gen Xers is their inadequate knowledge of investments or retirement savings plans.
According to statistics, as much as 36% of Gen X have already used a part of the money that has been kept aside for their retirement savings plans on other expenses.
As much as 70% of Gen Xers are still unsure about social security. The Great Recession of 2007-2009 affected 74% of the Gen Xers, and a large group of them has still not yet fully recovered from its aftermath.
Generation X Behaviors
Gen Xers are born after baby boomers and before Millenials. Generation Xers are more cynical or skeptical about the future than most other previous generations. This is mainly because they grew up in a world that was not exactly a happy one.
The threat of nuclear war, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the Great Recession are among the various historical moments they witnessed. This, in turn, has hardened their outlook on the world.
However, it has also made them much more flexible. They do not readily accept whatever they see or get; instead, they question everything that comes along their way. Thus, it is fair to call them critical thinkers as well.
Gen Xers are also known to maintain a good and healthy work-life balance. They are very particular about spending quality time with their friends and families. They will go to great lengths to ensure that these needs are fulfilled.
Gen Xers are also believed to be great entrepreneurs. Their sense of independence is one of the primary reasons behind this achievement.
As many as 41% of Gen X think of themselves as entrepreneurs. They have a good knowledge of technology as well as exceptional leadership qualities. As mentioned earlier, Gen X, in fact, was the first generation that had the privilege of using personal computers.
FAQs
Q. What is Gen X known for?
A. Gen X, also known as post boomers, were the first-ever generation that had the privilege to use personal computers.
Q. What does Generation X believe?
A. Gen X believes in the concept of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The need to spend quality time with families and friends is as essential as the need to work. This particular concept has come become even more popular in the Covid-19 era.
Q. What defines Generation X?
A. This specific term is used to categorize individuals born during the years 1965-1980. The years mentioned may, however, vary sometimes.
Q. Why Gen X are the best?
A. Gen Xers are regarded as the best, perhaps because of their flexible nature. They are much more independent and can adapt better and faster to this changing world.
Q. What years are Generation X born in?
A. Gen Xers are typically born during the years 1965-1980.
Q. What Generation is before Gen x?
A. The generation that precedes Gen X is called boomers.
Q. Why are they called Generation X?
A. They are called Gen X because they did not want to be characterized by any specific set of characteristics or be defined by any single notion.
Q. What are the characteristics of Generation X?
A. Gen X are known for their flexible nature and unique leadership abilities. Furthermore, they are also known to possess excellent knowledge of technology.
Q. When did Generation X end?
A. People born after the year 1985, fall in the group of the millennial generation; that is, 1985 marks the end of Gen X.
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Master of Computer Science
Abhijeet ModiMaster of Computer Science
An experienced and innovative entrepreneur and creative writer, Abhijeet holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Computer Application from Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He co-founded an e-commerce website while developing his skills in content writing, making him an expert in creating blog posts, website content, product descriptions, landing pages, and editing articles. Passionate about pushing his limits, Abhijeet brings both technical expertise and creative flair to his work.
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