Generation X (Gen X) - Explained
What is Generation X?
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at July 18th, 2021
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Table of Contents
What is Generation X (Gen X)?How makes up Generation X (Gen X)?Academic Research on Generation XWhat is Generation X (Gen X)?
Generation X refers to the generation born before the millennial generation (often called generation Y) and after the baby boomers. Americans who fall between the age group of mid-1960s and early 1980s are called Gen X.
Back to: Management & Organizational Behavior
How makes up Generation X (Gen X)?
Individuals born within the same time frame tend to exhibit common traits that results in their generation being named after a specific trait.
Examples are:
- the Greatest Generation (1901 to 1924),
- the Silent Generation (1925 to 1945),
- the Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964), among others.
A novel by Douglas Coupland that was published in 1991, birthed the name "Generation X".
Generation X is often regarded as the 'in-between'. generation because it overlaps with the Sandwich Generation.
Gen X has a population of about 50 million in the United States.
Research indicates that Generation X may have the following collective attributes:
- Gen X exhibit a higher level of self-direction when compared to Baby Boomers.
- Gen X clients have little time for financial advice, they prefer technological tools that monitor their finance.
- 72% of Baby Boomers trust their financial advisors while only half of Gen Xers feel this way.
- Gen X clients are busier and love performing tasks online.
- 73% of Gen X clients select an advisor based on peer review compared to 57% of Baby Boomers.
- Gen X avoid investment risks unlike baby boomers.
Academic Research on Generation X
- Generation X and the public employee, Jurkiewicz, C. L. (2000). Public Personnel Management, 29(1), 55-74.
- Managing our future: The generation X factor, O'Bannon, G. (2001). Public Personnel Management, 30(1), 95-110.
- Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y? Policy implications for defence forces in the modern era, Jorgensen, B. (2003). foresight, 5(4), 41-49.
- Workplace learning and Generation X, Bova, B., & Kroth, M. (2001). Journal of Workplace Learning, 13(2), 57-65.
- Leading Generation X: do the old rules apply?, Rodriguez, R. O., Green, M. T., & Ree, M. J. (2003). Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 9(4), 67-75.
- High hopes in a grim world: Emerging adults' views of their futures and Generation X, Arnett, J. J. (2000). Youth & Society, 31(3), 267-286.
- Generation X: Anthropology in a media saturated world, Ortner, S. B. (1998). Cultural Anthropology, 13(3), 414-440.