Posted on 12/07/2004 2:25:06 PM PST by mdittmar
Expert Sees 'Seismic Shift' in the Political, Social and Cultural Landscape as Baby Boomers Recede from View, Gen X Takes Leadership
Year's Top News Stories Support the Trend - Ann A. Fishman Available for Year-End News Analysis
From the furor over Janet Jackson's bare breast to moral values as a key issue in the Presidential Election, in 2004 "Generation X" flexed its muscles as a force for shaping attitudes and trends in American politics and culture.
Generational expert Ann Fishman says this marks a turning point: a shift away from the idealistic, "Me-driven" lifestyle of the Baby Boom Generation, and toward the more practical, results-oriented values of Gen X.
Based on Fishman's research into the habits and values of American consumers, Generation X -- more than 93 million Americans born between 1961 and 1981 -- has asserted itself as the leading force for change in American life, a development confirmed by the most important news stories of 2004.
Based on an analysis of seminal news events of 2004, here are the stories that Fishman ranked as the most important from a generational perspective:
#1 - President Bush wins re-election, with moral issues taking center stage.
#2 - Gen Xers save for retirement at almost the same pace as Baby Boomers.
#3 - Bloggers are "in," and Dan Rather is "out," as important sources for political information.
#4 - Sensing a mandate, Bush formulates an ambitious second-term economic agenda, beginning with Social Security reform.
#5 - Accountability takes center stage - as Martha Stewart goes to jail and Tom Daschle becomes the first sitting Senate Minority Leader to be defeated.
According to Fishman, each of these developments reflects the change of course that Gen Xers are mandating for American society: more hard-headed realism, less focus on "Me Generation" values, a greater emphasis on civic responsibility and a practical concern with safeguarding traditional family, religious and societal norms.
Fishman said, "Gen Xers are practical realists. They examine what is handed to them, figure out what they can actually control and focus forward.
For example, where many Baby Boomers rely on the government to take care of them in retirement, Xers are already saving for old age. Where Boomers pay lip service to saving the Rain Forest, practical Xers actually use shampoo that is not tested on animals, virtually stopping that practice."
She concluded, "Ten years from now we will look back at the generational transformation that took place in one year, 2004, and marvel at all that came from it. Historians will say, 'it all started here.'"
About Generation X and Baby Boomers Generation Xers are "latch-key kids," children of Baby Boomers whose divorce rates were high and who often pursued idealistic civic causes or fast- track jobs at the expense of traditional home environments. Xers had to fend for themselves from an early age and are a generation of practical "survivors" whose attitudes are reflected in their politics, values and consumer preferences.
Baby Boomers are the 79 million Americans who were born between 1943 and 1960. Among other trends, they presided over the relaxation of societal standards in a variety of areas, including the liberalization of rules governing the traditional family, loosening strictures on corporate responsibility and the popularization of the drug culture.
Ping.
Man, I am so out of it.
Geez, a 20 year span. I suppose it is possible that a Gen Xer born in 1961 could have had a kid born by 1981. Both the parent and child would be Gen Xers. Wouldn't that be hilarious?
What about Generation Y and Z ?
Get those boomers out of here!
Yeah, I guess I'm barely an X'er as well. Although I never thought I had much in common with younger X'ers.
I think they need to create a new category for kids born in the '60s. Do we really have that much in common with true post-WW2 kids and with children born in the later '70s? My mom never worked and none of my peers were latchkey kids.
I never thought I had so much in common with 23 year-olds.
Although, apparently maybe more than I thought, in terms of moral values.
"Geez, a 20 year span. I suppose it is possible that a Gen Xer born in 1961 could have had a kid born by 1981. Both the parent and child would be Gen Xers. Wouldn't that be hilarious?"
LOL! Yes, please see my previous post, I think it's #7.
The kids born in the sixties have gotten a bum rap in terms of labeling, imo. ;)
Thank God - we've finally taken over. Look out Baby Boomers, we're going to throw your welfare state on the trash heap of history LOL!
ping
A feature of Gen X is that they were never sheltered, never innocent. They always knew that there were molesters and hoodlums and drug dealers who are out to get you. They never thought the world was a safe place. That is why they appreciated the solid responsibility of their grandparents a lot more than their flighty parents did.
Baby Boomers grew up in a world so safe, so secure, so comfortable that they thought scarcity-based values like effort, self-discipline, and competitiveness were as archaic as courtly romance at an orgy. The point of the counterculture was believing that struggle has been removed from the human condition. We can all smoke dope and play frisbee and be friends because there is plenty for everyone.
My brother was born in '61 and I was born in '72. Ten years ago he and I had nothing in common except our parents; today we have everything in common.
I think I recall that you are also a Gen Xer. If so, thought you'd like to see this.
Proud member here!!!
Impeach Bush!
GenXer born in '76 here. Let's kick some boomer ass!
An interesting study would be on who was President during your formative years.
My dad is and always has been a democrat,on old style democrat,he can't figure out how he has four republican kids,I told him it was Carters' "Malaise" when I was 16 and Reagans' optimism when I was 18 that did it for me.
Xer Ping
Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations (i.e. The Baby Boomers) are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.
Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.
Boomers have changed, we're old and it shows in this "data".
The X'ers' day hasn't come yet, maybe in another twenty years.
BTW:
"You kids get off my lawn!"
"You call that music?"
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