It turns out that the laid-back yet charming slacker, played by Ethan Hawke in Reality Bites, who both broke and ultimately won the heart of Lelaina Pierce (portrayed by Chloe Thompson in a career-defining turn), might have had a point about his cynical outlook on what adulthood held for Generation X. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, we continue to be the overlooked middle child among generations, stuck between the Baby Boomers and the rising Millennials. However, there are positives to highlight: we manage our finances wisely, excel as managers, and on the whole, we’re quite content with life.
On Finances
Generation X is indeed grappling with financial strain, and it’s not due to lingering hours at a coffee shop. Bloomberg reports that “Gen Xers are still paying off student loans while raising families on stagnant wages.” We carry more debt than other age groups and are less optimistic about retirement; only 6 percent managed to save 15 to 19 percent of their incomes in 401(k) plans last year, compared to 8 percent of Millennials and 10 percent of Baby Boomers.
While we may never know if Troy and Lelaina tied the knot (we have our doubts), if they did, they’d likely still be together. Despite the financial pressures of child-rearing, around 70 percent of Gen X couples who married in the 1990s are still united, surpassing the divorce rates of their Boomer parents who faced a record surge in the 1970s and ’80s. As for Millennials, a significant number are choosing to forgo marriage entirely, with only 26 percent opting for a traditional wedding.
On Anxiety
Troy’s iconic answering machine message—“At the beep, please leave your name, number, and a brief justification for the ontological necessity of modern man’s existential dilemma, and we’ll get back to you”—captures the angst of our generation. As noted by futurist Faith Popcorn in the Bloomberg report, “Generation Xers are the forgotten middle child generation.” We are anxious about our current circumstances and future prospects, understanding that automation could replace us and worrying about affording children or qualifying for mortgages.
Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom: a study by EY, formerly Ernst & Young, reveals that Gen Xers are regarded as more effective managers than those from other generations. We are adaptable problem-solvers and foster collaboration, making us valuable revenue generators for our employers—take that, Ms. Popcorn!
On Faith
With the burden of student loans, childcare, mortgages, and caring for aging parents, our generation is definitely looking for some reprieve. Despite many of us being raised in the wake of the “1960s effect”—where those coming of age during that tumultuous decade often distanced themselves from traditional religion and raised Gen X with minimal dogma—it seems Troy’s nihilism might have faded with age.
Interestingly, Gen X singer Jewel pondered, “Who will save your soul?” and according to recent research, we are actually more observant than the Boomers who raised us. Those of us who grew up in religious environments are less likely to abandon our faith, and we are instilling those same values in our children. Quite a shift, isn’t it, Mr. Dyer?
On Happiness
Popcorn points out that while 60 percent of Boomers and Millennials consider their generations special, only one-third of Gen Xers feel the same way. According to research, the majority of the 84 million Americans aged 30 to 50 (with Gen X forming the bulk) are “active, balanced, and happy.” In fact, two-thirds report job satisfaction, with 24 percent rating their job satisfaction at 9 or 10. On a happiness scale from 1 to 10, the median score for Gen X is an impressive 8, with nearly 29 percent declaring themselves very happy with scores of 9 or 10.
So, amidst our contradictions, it turns out that Gen Xers are not as unhappy as we might seem. We can be summed up by Troy’s line, “you can’t navigate me,” or Lelaina’s retort, “Welcome to the world of the emotionally mature.”
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In summary, while Reality Bites may have painted a cynical picture of Generation X, it seems we’ve carved out a path that’s both challenging and surprisingly fulfilling.
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