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Generation X

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Generation X is a group of people born during a specific time.

US living adult generations
US living adult generations

They follow the baby boomers and come before the millennials. Most researchers say they were born between 1965 and 1980. In the United States, there were about 65.2 million Gen Xers in 2019.

US Fertility Rates 1963-1981
US Fertility Rates 1963-1981

This group is a major part of our world today. They are often the children of the Silent Generation. Many of them are now parents to Generation Z.

Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s was a unique experience. Some people called them the "latchkey Generation."

US Marriages Ending in Divorce 1950-1990
US Marriages Ending in Divorce 1950-1990

This name came because many children came home to empty houses. They used a key to let themselves in after school. This happened because more mothers were working in offices. Also, divorce rates were increasing during this time.

US Participation Rates for Women Professionals 1966-2013
US Participation Rates for Women Professionals 1966-2013

These changes shaped how they lived their early lives.

As they grew older, culture changed around them very quickly. They were often called the "MTV Generation."

GenX
GenX

This was because of a popular music video channel. They enjoyed many different types of music. These included hip-hop, punk rock, and grunge music.

Nirvana around 1992
Nirvana around 1992

They also saw the rise of video games in homes.

Apple II tranparent 800
Apple II tranparent 800

Movies were also changing with new big sequels and independent films.

History was also moving in big ways during their youth. They saw the last days of communism in Europe.

BerlinWall-BrandenburgGate
BerlinWall-BrandenburgGate

They watched as these regions moved toward capitalism. In the West, many people focused on free market economics. The name "Generation X" became very popular later on.

Douglas Coupland Photo of Author
Douglas Coupland Photo of Author

Author Douglas Coupland used the name in a 1991 book. He said the name might come from a book about social classes. The "X" can mean an unknown thing or a desire to be different.

Today, many people in Generation X are in midlife. Research shows they are often active and happy. They are known for being very productive at work.

Nasdaq Composite dot-com bubble
Nasdaq Composite dot-com bubble

They also work hard to find a good work-life balance. Many have become successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Sergey Brin, Web 2.0 Conference
Sergey Brin, Web 2.0 Conference

They help shape the way our modern economy works. Their unique history helps explain much of our current world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Douglas Coupland Photo of Author.jpg
Douglas Coupland Photo of Author.jpg
File:Western_Fertility_Rates_1960-1980.jpg
Western_Fertility_Rates_1960-1980.jpg
File:US Fertility Rates 1963-1981.png
US Fertility Rates 1963-1981.png
File:US living adult generations.png
US living adult generations.png
File:US Live Births Registered and Legal Abortions Reported 1970-1980.png
US Live Births Registered and Legal...
File:US Marriages Ending in Divorce 1950-1990.png
US Marriages Ending in Divorce 1950-1990.png
File:US Participation Rates for Women Professionals 1966-2013.png
US Participation Rates for Women...
File:UnderstandingAIDS.png
UnderstandingAIDS.png
File:Apple II tranparent 800.png
Apple II tranparent 800.png
File:Total Fall Enrollment in US degree granting Institutions 1965-1998.png
Total Fall Enrollment in US degree...
File:Nasdaq Composite dot-com bubble.svg
Nasdaq Composite dot-com bubble.svg
File:Sergey Brin, Web 2.0 Conference.jpg
Sergey Brin, Web 2.0 Conference.jpg

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