Generation X

Douglas Coupland (1961–) coined the phrase "Generation X" in his 1991 novel, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture. Born between 1961 and 1981, X-ers are the thirteenth generation since U.S. independence. They have been criticized as "slackers" and "latch-key kids" and described as the "MTV generation." These terms of abuse have usually come from the prior generation, known as the "baby boomers" (see entry under 1940s—The Way We Lived in volume 3). Many in the baby-boomer generation see themselves as responsible for advances in civil rights and sexual liberation. In addition, the baby boomers fought in and protested against the war in Vietnam (1954–75). The social situations in which baby boomers came of age are so historically memorable.

The negative view of X-ers is far from accurate. Disgusted with traditional politics, in 2001 the "Thirteeners" stand at the forefront of campaigns to protect the environment and against globalization. Generally better educated than their parents, they have shown themselves to have a strong entrepreneurial streak. They cannot afford to be lazy, because most of them earn less in real terms than their parents did at the same age. Where both members of baby-boomer couples worked for a sense of personal fulfillment as much as for money, X-ers work because they have to.

Growing up with civil unrest, high unemployment, and divorce (see entry under 1970s—The Way We Lived in volume 4), Generation X became disillusioned with politics, work, and family life. In Gen-X television (see entry under 1940s—TV and Radio in volume 3) shows such as Friends (1994–), ER (1994–), and Seinfeld (1990–98; see these entries under 1990s—TV and Radio in volume 5), friends take the place of family. Like many of his generation, The X-Files (1993–2002) character Fox Mulder wants to know what happened to his childhood. In music, Generation X enjoys a "decade-blending" mix of the mainstream and the alternative. MTV (see entry under 1980s—Music in volume 5) formed Generation X-ers' tastes in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the anxiety-ridden sounds of Nirvana (see entry under 1990s—Music in volume 5), R.E.M., and rappers like Puff Daddy (1970–) and Dr. Dre (1965–) became the Thirteeners' voice. With their characteristic ironic response, many typical X-ers might publicly scorn ABBA, Duran Duran, and the Eagles while secretly enjoying them. In 2001, the Thirteeners are beginning to make their mark in government, the media, business, and education. They have inherited huge national debts and crumbling welfare, education, and medical systems. If the media is to be believed, this will be a tough assignment for a generation brought up on junk TV, wall-to-wall advertising, and chemical-rich convenience foods.

—Chris Routledge

For More Information

Coupland, Douglas. Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991.

Gaslin, Glenn, and Rick Porter. The Complete, Cross-Referenced Guide to the Baby Buster Generation's Collective Unconscious. New York: Boulevard, 1998.

Howe, Neil, and Bill Strauss. 13th Gen: Abort, Retry, Ignore, Fail? New York: Vintage Books, 1993.