Generation X and The Spirit of Resiliency

If you are over 35 and have not been hiding under a gigantic rock infested with mold, you are familiar with the term Generation X. The 46 million Americans born between 1965 and 1980. The men and women who were referred to as latchkey kids, slackers, caffeine lovers, grunge, indie, or anything that bordered on the avant-garde in some form or fashion. Oh! Let’s not forget our fascination https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1994/10/27/tony-bennett-sways-the-hip/17aa7a5e-0590-4c00-8ba3-49ce70d2c296/?tid=ss_tw with the smooth, silent generation crooner, Tony Bennett (b. 1926).

We are a generation that has been routinely pegged as cynical, self-indulgent, aimless, contrarian, and often peripheral when it comes to life and other everyday matters; an unpredictable, motley crew of humans.

Not long ago, I led a roundtable panel with several fellow Gen X scholars and professors at an academic conference titled “Generation X Turns 50.” The conversations were funny, lively, engaging,, honest, candid, pensive, revelatory, inspirational and very informative. In short, it was a “no holds barred, take no prisoners” frank discussion.. It was indeed a pleasure to be part of such a vibrant discussion.

There are very good reasons a number of Gen Xers (like our demographic cousins in other generations) are likely to be cynical or, at the very least, disillusioned with life. Turmoil and instability have been major factors in some of our lives. Generation Xers have been directly affected by downturns in the economy, perennial wars, deadly sexually transmitted diseases, and parents’ divorces. Moreover, we have often been eclipsed by baby boomers (1946–1964), millennials (1980–1998), and occasionally even by our parents and grandparents of the silent generation (1925–1945).

Despite such distractions, many Generation Xers have managed to survive and, in some cases, thrive in the face of unrelenting adversity. It is this unyielding tenacity that has equipped many Gen Xers with the adaptability needed to deal with the uncertainties of life, both in the workplace and the outside world. Many people in this age demographic have been blessed with an impervious spirit.

n Xers are naturally adept at acclimating to change; many in our generation have dealt with psychologically demoralizing feelings of being laid off, restructured, outsourced, and relocated more than any other group. Thus, we have acquired many skillsets necessary for adaptability in the 21st century, and we often welcome new challenges.

Hobbies — Upon hitting middle age, many boomers (especially men) want to pursue a new trophy wife or relive the raucous early post-college days. In contrast, a number of Generation Xers have made a return to nature; yoga, meditation retreats, healthy diets, and an overall pursuit of healthy activities are the primary goals of many generation Xers.

Caregiving– Almost half of Xers provide primary physical and financial support to their aging parents. I know of several friends who do this.

Upsizing– When Douglas Copeland titled one of his books “Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture” perhaps he foresaw the future: young adults are either staying or moving back to the homes of their Gen X parents. Rather than downsizing as they get older, Gen Xers are often expected to accommodate their grown children, parents, and even grandchildren.

Finances– A number of Gen Xers have been negatively affected by the current economic recession, in addition to the previous ones, and do not have confidence that the government will support them in their old age. Witnessing sporadic downturns in the economy during our youths and into early adulthood has made more than a few of us leery, if not downright weary, of investing too much faith in the stock market.

Mental Health — While no age demographic is immune to mental illness, middle-age can pose an emotional and psychological challenge to one’s own emotional well-being. Generation X is struggling with personal and professional responsibilities and is at a high risk for anxiety-related disorders, ongoing depression, and substance abuse issues.

The aforementioned issues are dilemmas that offer no facile solutions. That being said, one thing about Generation X is indisputably true: It is a group that grapples with the trials and tribulations that confront them much more effectively than the generations preceding or following them are able to. Hell, adversity has been a mainstay in the lives of more than a few of us from the womb to the present. We may not have found the cure for the current crisis afflicting us; nonetheless, we have been able to mitigate it effects and prevent total debilitation. That, my boomer, millennial, and Gen Z cousins, is the classic definition of resiliency.

Elwood Watson, Ph.D. is a professor, author and public speaker. He is an expert on Generation X and is the author of Generation X Professors Speak: Voices From Academia (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers).He is currently working on a book about Generation X men.