Karen McCullough Loves Generation X

[26789mzx]

Gen Xers are born between the years 1961-1981 (NOT 65-78). The total U.S. Gen X population is 93,000,000 people. See New York Times bestselling book titled "Generations" by experts Strauss and Howe (page 318).

H&S project the Millennials at 76,000,000 people in the U.S. (updated to 90 to 100 million) -- see page 336

Baby Boomers are estimated at 79,000,000 people in the U.S. (see page 300)

The "Silent" generation is at 49,000,000 people in the U.S. (see page 280)

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@26789mzx She is not referring to a biological generation but a cultural generation. Strauss and Howe are not experts, they're academic hacks. A generation shares common cultural experiences, technologies, and social norms. 

[26789mzx]

@chroniclerofthe70s Strauss and Howe define Boomers “from birth years 1943 to 1960, a 17-year span”. The H&S definition is “social and cultural rather than simply demographic: Boomers are anyone who were too young to have personal memories of World War II, but old enough to remember the post-war high. Someone born in 1943 may not have been part of the post-war demographic bulge, but they came of age during the same historical era as the children in the birth cohorts that followed".

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@26789mzx I agree to a certain point except the boomers were the result of most GI's having children after they returned home in 1945. One needs only to research the birth records and compare the birth rate before and after 1945. The high birth rate continued into the early 60s. However, the majority of boomers lived their childhood during the late 40s and 50s. The majority of boomers experienced duck and cover drills during the 50s and most were drafted into the Vietnam War.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@26789mzx I agree. Individuals born in 1943 and thereafter would share many common cultural experiences.

[26789mzx]

@chroniclerofthe70s (Part 2) By contrast, children born in the early 1960s and after had a VERY different coming of age experience--and in fact, some of the most influential cultural definers of Gen X were born during that period between 1961 and 1964, from Doug Coupland (who coined the term Generation X) to Barack Obama (who pegs himself a "post-Boomer")”.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@26789mzx I agree, 1961 marked the year of J.F.K's first term in office, the separation of East and West Germany via the Berlin Wall, and beginning of the Apollo program. J.F.K's term marked the beginning of both government and social changes within the U.S. Since I'm a mid GenXer I experienced what my early GenX siblings experienced but also experienced what my younger late Gen X siblings experienced. There is some overlap between the late and early members of successive generations.

[4gazelle]

All the generations being discussed in this video are all going to have to quickly come up with solutions to turn this country's economy around. So much has been written about how GenX is stuck cleaning up the mess the boomers made, well, it's time to stop blaming each other, put aside differences and fix this economic mess now! We are all in deep trouble.

[sisyphus650]

Mrsouthbanker...Quit hating.

[MoonChild062884]

No sorry is not enough.

[sisyphus650]

If you ask me, there were 2 big deaths of our generation. Kurt Cobain and Tupac. Xers grew up with Grunge and Hip Hop/ rap.

[kll510]

I'm a Gen Xer born in 1966 and I know who River Phoenix is. Dont insult my intelligence. The bigger death of our Generation was Kurt Cobain. But our generation is about more than just drugs and deaths.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@kll510 Kurt Cobain was popular with late Gen Xers. Late Gen Xers made up less than 25% of the generation. Generation X listened mainly to Hard rock, Progressive Rock, Classic European Metal and NWOBHM.

[Thegenxfilm]

Search for...

"Xingularity: a film about generation x"

A new documentary currently in production.

wwwdotgenxfilmdotcom

[sisyphus650]

Proud to be an Xer! I remember being raised by a single mom (until my dad came back), the Cold War (The Day After), Thriller Album, Kiss, Disco in 2nd grade, 1981 49ers, Bird vs. Magic, Star Wars, and etc.

[parafleet]

The problem with generation X is that they're all reincarnated World War I vets. They have seen the worst and so they just don't care that much about the ups and downs of typical modern-day American social, political, and economic life. It is hard to interest oneself in a new black president and Ellen on American Idol after one has danced in Paris with precocious 13-year old French girls and tasted the bloody-mud trenches of Ypres.

[sylicone221]

@parafleet im amy johnson reincarnated lol.......

[parafleet]

@sylicone221 Then I would hire you to fly me across an ocean.

[sylicone221]

@parafleet hahahhaaa.....funny.....

[chroniclerofthe70s]

The vietnam war declared a cease fire in 1973, however some of the youngest boomers of the late 1950s were still in vietnam in 1975 when the last Americans along with 5,000 + southern vietnamese refugees fled the US embassy in Saigon.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@chroniclerofthe70s  During the vietnamese war, a cease fire declaration was enacted in 1973.

[Lalo3001]

Thanks for the funny shout-out to us Karen!

Couple of quick things. Our Generation runs from about 1965-1980 or 81.

Also, Google or look up Generation Jones. That's the Generation that guys like Obama belongs too, the 70s Generation. Some people call them the "late Boomers". These are people in their late 40s to about 59. The real Baby Booms begin at 60 I guess.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

Most Boomers were drafted into the Vietnam War. This isn't remotely possible for someone born in 1961. Boomers were born into the atomic age and most went through duck and cover drills as children in the 1950s. Early Gen Xers (61'-63) were born into JFK presidential term and experienced subsequent Apollo Space Program along with mid Gen Xers.  Most mid and late Gen Xers can recall Skylab and the first space shuttle launch.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

The majority of Generation X shared most of these cultural media experiences as children/ and or teenagers: Night of the Living Dead Planet of the Apes series Exorcist Dirty Harry films Bruce Lee films The Godfather Deathwish films Blazzing Saddles Young Frankenstein Texas Chainsaw Massacre Jaws 1 & 2 Rocky 1,2,&3 The Bad News Bears series Star Wars Trilogy Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind Smokey and the Bandit 1&2 Saturday Night Fever Halloween Warriors Alien Friday the 13th Heavy Metal

[sylicone221]

@chroniclerofthe70s River Phoenix ruined gen x, when he died, the world stopped for them, thus, they havent dont shit with their lives to this day!~ heheheheee...look what we had to endure! heath ledger was 28, river was only 23.....thus river influenced people to just do drugs and throw life away.....like he did.......

[sylicone221]

@chroniclerofthe70s all of gen x threw their life away with drugs cuz of the death of River Phoenix, he showed us to do drugs and od at 23 like him....how dare he.....no one ever moved on......what a bad influence! hehehehehee

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@sylicone221 Most members of Generation X haven't a clue as to who River Phoenix was.

[sylicone221]

@chroniclerofthe70s ok, gen x is 1965-1978.....well...the latter part of gen x would...i was born in 74.....

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@sylicone221 Actually, Generation X is 1961 - 1976 give or take a year. There is always some overlap between the first members of a generation and the last members of the proceeding generation.

[sylicone221]

@chroniclerofthe70s later gen x were HUGE fans of river when he was alive ok? born 1970-1976.....ok......teens in the mid to late 80s.......didnt know it started in 61...later gen x

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@sylicone221 Ok. I'm a mid GenXer. If my memory is correct, was River Phoenix one of the kids from " Stand By Me " with Jerry O'connell and Cory Feldman? Good Movie.

[sylicone221]

@chroniclerofthe70s yes.....now were u a teen in the mid to late 80s? those people actually remember river when he was a TEEN IDOL....people knew who he was when he was here, unlike some douches like dj am who only got notice when they od'd lol.....

[karenmccullough]

@sylicone221 thanks for commenting on my video....



[sisyphus650]

@chroniclerofthe70s

I remember him. Didn't really care...But I remember him.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

I consider Generation X as 61' - 76' give or take a year. However there is always some overlap between the last few years of a generation and the first few years of the next generation.

I define a generation as individuals who were born in a span of ~ 15 years in which the vast majority of it's members shared many common cultural experiences between children and teenagers.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

I would characterize individuals born between 76' - 79' as Geni ( intermediate ).

Depending on their unique personal experiences, some of these individuals either identify with Gen X or Gen Y. If you were born in 1975, your definitely Gen X, if you were born in 1980, your definitely Gen Y.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@chroniclerofthe70s Those individuals born between 76' - 80' could theoretically be considered sub-Gen X since they experienced a subset of common experiences shared by most Gen Xers.

[beatifullady100]

@chroniclerofthe70s I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!

[chroniclerofthe70s]

Individuals born between 76' - 79' can either identify with Gen X or Gen Y.

Gen X has never known a world without TV, while Gen Y has never known a world without the personal computer.

[Chimpangel]

@chroniclerofthe70s Yeah, I'm at the tail end, born in 1977.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@Chimpangel It's difficult for individuals born in 1977. Depending where you lived and you own personal experiences you may identify more with gen X. Some individuals born in 1977 might identify with gen Y. I suppose you have the freedom to choose which generation you want to identify with. Clearly, if you were born in 1975 your gen X and if you were born in 1980 your gen Y. It's those few years between 76' and 80' that are difficult to define.

[mpm2010lbc]

@chroniclerofthe70s I go by Gen-X born in '77. Mainly because of all the things I grew up with. I think 76-80 are Gen X, but more known as Young Gen-X since we basically think in similar ways as the older members of our generation. I remember when MTV was MTV and actually played vidoes; recording music on tapes; the Challenger explosion; using a typewrite, not a computer to type papers; actually going outside to have fun; NWA; TV sitcomes, not reality TV crap and real genuine friendships.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

@mpm2010lbc Yes, you should be considered a member of Gen X, however, a generation is defined by the majority of individuals that belong to that generation.

The question is, did 50% or greater of individuals born between 76'-80' have the same experience as you did? There is going to be some overlap between the first few years of a generation and the last few years of the preceeding generation. I recall the CB radio, 8-track players, seeing Star Wars and Alien at the theatre, disco, and MTV.

[mpm2010lbc]

@mpm2010lbc I think the majority of younger Gen-Xers do not want to be associated with the Millennials since they have a completely different mentality and experience. Its just a guess, but I think Young Gen-X would identify more with the popular culture of the 80s and mid to late 90's, since that is when most of us were teenagers and young adults. And, since the Millennials outnumber us, its not wise to want to exclude any type of Gen-Xer from the cohort. 1965-1980 is GEN-X

[fourtriangles2112]

@mpm2010lbc where is this 1965 timeline coming from?wikipedia,time mag and others put the line at 1961-1981,im 1964 myself and lots of others were and are far more counter culture than most, fact that others disenfranchise 61-64 is a testament of true gen X ,anybody who wasn't a punk or a head is a prep,a jock or a goof,quit wrapping yourselves in our blackflag and professing to call it your own,go back to your culture club,huey lewis,wham bullshit the counter culture defined the era

[mpm2010lbc]

@fourtriangles2112 I have read that article on wikipedia of that definition. I have also heard that 1961-1964 are considered young baby boomers also. I guess it depends on your own interpetation. I think its unfortunate that people want to exclude young Gen-X from this cohort, since this cohort is very small compared to the Millennials and Boomers. I'm sticking to my definition, but I'm all good with people born in 61-64 as Gen-X also. More people, the better. Gives us numbers.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

blackloverules - your right, i saw Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth's record in 74', Muhammad Ali defeat George Foreman. Other African American icons for Gen Xers were Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Dr. J, Magic Johnson, Bob Hayes, Tony Dorsett, Lynn Swan, Mean Joe Green, Walter Peyton, Franco Harris just to name a few.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

Generation X is a generation of many firsts: A tv in almost every household, arcades games, home gaming consoles, VCR's, video disc players, tv remote controls, color instant cameras, personal computer, hand held scientific calculator, microprocessor, space lab, space shuttle, cd players, cable tv, MTV channel L.E.D. watches, small affordable microwave ovens.

[sylicone221]

@chroniclerofthe70s gen x people are the worst....cuz they had the death of their teen idol river phoenix, and he showed them....hey do drugs...forget working for a career....od at 23 like him......thats what gen x had to fucking deal with! they are failures...at least the later gen x! lol......they didnt exactly get married and move on, WHO CAN GET PAST THEIR TEEN IDOL? the world ended for them when he died!

[chroniclerofthe70s]

Generation X is 1961 - 1975 give or take a year. I've methodically researched this issue for years.

A generation is defined by commonly shared experiences. Media is generally accessible to everyone. Throughout the 60's and 70's there were only a handful of television networks. Technologies also define a generation and cultural norms.

The release of Star Wars and it's merchandising campaign which followed shortly there after was a generational defining moment.

[chroniclerofthe70s]

Generation X is 1960 - 1975 . A generation is defined by a shared common cultural experience.

[hvislysettaros2010]

I just wish we weren't so abused in my generation (X) :(

[mpm2010lbc]

@hvislysettaros2010 Yah...but everybody LOVES us now and looks up to us. That's the sense I get from younger and even older folks.

[DIJV79]

Gen Winers even tried to remake Dukes of Hazzard and Willie Wonka (sigh). They even try to dress the we did back in the 80's and 90's. I hear the Gen Yers listening to stuff from the 80's and 90's, my reply ? Always is , "you weren't even born when that song came out LOL".

[blackloverules]

@DIJV79

LMAAAAAAO!!!! I know that's right!!!!! Don't forget Transformers, The Chipmunks, and all that shit. They had the nerve to bring back the Cabbage Patch Dolls, Care Bears, and the Strawberry Shortcake doll, and that doll doesn't look the same! They had a Gen Y version of Strawberry Shortcake, trying to be hip hop and shit. I was like WTF????

[mpm2010lbc]

@DIJV79 Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[blackloverules]

I think that Gen X is 1965-1981. That's my definition. Take it or leave it. I'll be DAMNED if they are going to put me with Gen Y because I have nothing in common with Gen Y. I have more in common with the young Gen Xers.

[DIJV79]

Alot of late Gen Xers born in 79-80 are products of the 80's and 90's. Alot of us want nothing to do with Gen winers.

[mpm2010lbc]

@DIJV79 Exactly. 79 and 80 are Gen X according to several artcles, jeff gordiners book and wikipedia (not reliable source). You guys are young Gen Xers also according to many published reports.

[blackloverules]

@DIJV79

I know that's right. How dare them insult us like that. Gen X and Gen Y are TOTALLY different from each other. Gen Xers graduated out of high school in the 80s and 90s. Gen Yers graduated ot of high school in the 2000s and 2010s. I remember and experience way too much in the 80s and 90s.

[blackloverules]

@DIJV79

The bitch in this video don't know what the hell she's talking about when it comes to Gen X birth years. True Gen Xers were born between 1965 and 1981, not 1965-1978.

[DIJV79]

I think she was close enough, give are take she was off by 2 yrs.

[mpm2010lbc]

@blackloverules I totally agree! Occasionally, I'll see 1977 listed as Gen Y and I don't understand why that it is. There is a total age gap between myself and young millenials, and my mentality is different. I've always considered myself a late/young Gen Xer, like late/young Baby Boomers consider themselves.

[mpm2010lbc]

@DIJV79 You know!!!!!! Can you believe they actually have a remake of Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place. And all the music they are sampling from the 90s! God, can't they think of their OWN ideas!!!!! It's just a bunch of recycled crap without any innovation or creativity. I have a lot of Great Gen Y friends, but as a whole, Gen Y has A LOT to learn!

[blackloverules]

@mpm2010lbc

I know. Gen Y are nothing but a bunch of biters. They can't create their own shit, so they have to steal from the baby boomers and Generation Xers to get ideas. They can talk about us all they want, but at least we Gen Xers are creative unlike Gen Yners!

[blackloverules]

@mpm2010lbc

Exactly! That's what I'm saying, but thankfully, the majority of the Gen X articles had 1977 in there. My mentality is totally different from Gen Y. When I was in kindergarten in 1982, the first Gen Yer was just born. I ask a 1982er about Smurfs, Hulk Hogan, The Cosby Show, Baby Jessica, We Are The World, Atari, the first Nintendo that came out in 1987, the old school Care Bears, Jem, and they look at me like I'm crazy

[mpm2010lbc]

@blackloverules I laugh at that! And they also don't remember the Challenger disaster in '86. I trip out sometimes, that they don't know what I know. But I always have to remember that they are 5 to 15 years younger than myself. Those were the dayz!!!!!!!!!!

[blackloverules]

@mpm2010lbc

I know right! I remember the Challenger too! That was fucked up what happened to the only brother in the space shuttle. They don't remember LA Gear sneakers with different color shoe laces. They don't remember swatches, Garbage Pale Kids cards. This proves that Gen X and Gen Y are TOTALLY different generations.

[mpm2010lbc]

@blackloverules yup...thats what makes our generation so great! We came up with a lot of the ideas, just like Karen says, that are soooo prevelant today. Music, pop culture, fashion, ways of thinking. Its real OG and genuine! I like gen y'ers but some of them are egotistical (when they dont have a reason to be), and copy our shit!

[blackloverules]

@mpm2010lbc

I know. Boomers and Gen Xers are very innovative and creative! We don't need to copy off of people to get ideas. You are right about Gen Y being egotistical because I had a video about the black Gen X, you know black people of Gen X, and I had a lot of Gen Yers hating on me, thinking that they know everything, and they will challenge me

[mpm2010lbc]

@blackloverules Oh that's sounds interesting! I thought about one day writing a book on Young Gen X at 50 or on Latinos. I think all of the accomplishments we've made so far as a generation are just the tip of the iceberg. We have so much more. Younger people think they know everything and realize as they get older, they don't.

[blackloverules]

@mpm2010lbc

Yeah, most of the time when they talk about generations it's always on the white perspective, and it always talk about what white people experienced, but what about the experience of black people during the generations?

[mpm2010lbc]

@blackloverules Definitely. I'd like to see more books written on Gen X Latinos, but I'd like to write one later as our generation ages and progresses more in our careers. My leadership program advisor would be a perfect giving an African-American perspective on Gen X. He's in his mid-30s and doing ALOT of good things!

[whitelabelpromoshit]

Thanks for trashing the entire world as we know it, Baby Boomers. Your entire generation sold out for the dollar and we're living in the ruins. Way to go, Boomers!

[mpm2010lbc]

X marks the spot! '77 here!

[quantana927]

@mpm2010lbc

'69 here and already feeling every fucking bit of it. But that's okay, they got theirs right?

[blackloverules]

@mpm2010lbc

I'm a 77er myself! HOLLAAA!

[mpm2010lbc]

@blackloverules Haha, hells yah. '77 is on point!

[jerms246]

were the majority of parents of gen x'ers divorcing? no. divorce became an increasing problem during that time, but dont abuse it like EVERY couple back then divorced and EVERY gen x'er grew up in a single parent home.

[DIJV79]

65-79 is generation X .

[mpm2010lbc]

I've also heard 1961 to 1981. But the most common definition that I have heard are those people born between 1965-1980.

[blackloverules]

@DIJV79

EXACTLY!

[chrisbarkerfilms]

If you see this comment, tap your desk four times.

[chrisbarkerfilms]

HEY! Principles of Leadership!

[Funkbone]

She makes good points about "us." Latchkey kids, divorce, almost constant economic uncertainty, trying to get Dad off AOL (lol) all true in my case. Other interesting things:

1. We were born during or just after the most polarizing war in US history.

2. The first president many of us remember is Nixon.

3. We're the first generation to have a lower standard of living than our fathers.

4. We're the first generation to come of age with computers on a mass scale and we pioneer the 'Net.

[kll510]

I could so relate to what she was saying. The making a tape and giving it to friends and them giving me tapes. OMG we did that. I had 3 shoeboxes of tapes in my closet. LOL

[lacey21333]

1982 is gen x!!!!!!

[blackloverules]

@lacey21333

Uhh, not it's not.

[webheadfred]

I found Generation X!! At least a columnist who is blogging about Gen X going back to 1980 to our present day.... check it out at joemoody (dot) com

interesting stuff, especially if you're an Xer, and there's an RSS feed to stay up to date with the blog.

[ShadowofHanzo]

Amazingly accurate. Its fascinating and sad at the same time.

[AlabamaCSA]

I still continue to be disappointed with my generation, they are shallow and seek cheap meaningless thrills. They have bought into popular culture hook, line and sinker, and are not particularly human.... The kids that I teach, today's 12 and 13 year olds are infinitely much nicer, much kinder, and much more considerate than we ever were. I dont miss the 90s or the 80s, Gen Xers are a generation of fools, shallow consumers, and rotten brats that never grew.

[lolaobounce]

@AlabamaCSA More shallow, consumerist and rotten brats than say Generation Y ? If so, you GOTTA be kidding ....

[picturethief]

as a Gen X'er I was too lazy to watch this, sorry.

[mlamberthr]

Wonderful!

[cmtmj2007]

What hurts about all that she is saying is thats all true. The boomers who ruled America fuck it all for us genXers. Now whe have to fix up the boomers fuck ups. My parents loved making money and could give a shit about their kids. I miss the 90's also.

[mpm2010lbc]

@cmtmj2007 Amen. We have a lot of work to do!

[mpm2010lbc]

Ain't that the truth! We did get screwed! But if we fix everything, we will go down in history as the Greatest Generation Reborn!

[blackloverules]

@cmtmj2007

Same here. My father (1951) was a baby boomer to a T! My father was about money and greed, but he did took care of me, but it's mostly material shit, but it's all good. My father went from a rebellious black power teen in the mid to late 60s to a damn mony hungry somebody in the 80s and 90s. "Greed is good", Wall Street, 1987.

[wolfgar45]

she's like my councelor, who's helped my slacker ass reach college.

i miss the 90's

[dlfisher04]

Great program - entertaining, informative, funny, delightful!

[wetredlips30]

OMG I agree. This woman is right on target about everything about Gen X. She brings back all the memories. I'm lol and crying with good tears at the same time.

[WayneSpringer4]

Karen has an awesome message and she really knows how to connect with her audience.

[doriskaya]

Karen is a bundle of positive energy, fun and knowledge. A fantastic combination !

[janethmoore]

Karen is dynamic!

[kdandco]

She is so motivating!

[uhpharmcougar]

I had the privilege of participating in Karen's September 2007 ASTD presentation at UH - WOW! What a dynamic and informative speaker. Karen rocks!

[Mykal21]

KAREN IS INCREDIBLE! I had the luxury of attending this presentation and I laughed my butt off but more imporantly, I LEARNED!