HISTORICAL FACTS: Funny generation x memes | History Defined

Generation X is the group of people who were born between 1965 and 1980. They are also known as the “middle child generation,” as they follow Baby Boomers and precede Millennials, or the “baby bust” generation. Part of the reason why this generation tends to be overlooked is that they were born after the birth control pill became widely available, so they are a smaller generation than Boomers.

For the first time, many of the children in this generation grew up in dual-income households, single-parent households, or households of divorce. For these reasons, many of these kids were “latchkey kids,” meaning that they came home from school to an empty house while their parents were still away at work.

Another important part of history that impacted many Gen Xers was the AIDS epidemic. Many of these young adults came of age during the peak of this epidemic, meaning that practicing safe intimacy became extremely important to this generation. 

Gen X also saw the world change dramatically while they were young, as the Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. This generation has also lived through many economically tumultuous times throughout their lives, including the recessions of the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s, early 2000s, and 2020.

When it comes to the key characteristics of Generation X, Britannica notes that they are seen as a resourceful and independent group of people. Many are focused on having a healthy work-life balance and prioritizing their family lives. However, they are sometimes considered cynical, likely due to the economic and societal turmoil that they witnessed at young, impressionable ages. 

PureWow published a piece breaking down some of Gen X’s signature traits, and they first note that this generation is full of expert DIY-ers. Many of them learned how to take care of themselves from a very young age, and they became extremely handy around the house. From figuring out how to repair a toilet while Dad was at work to finding creative solutions for fixing furniture, Gen X isn’t scared of a little challenge.  

When it comes to Gen X style, many happily decide to dress down. Previous generations may have put a stronger emphasis on looking nice all the time, and younger generations might do the same because they’re scared of constantly being perceived. But Gen X is happy to wear a simple, casual outfit that allows them to look cute but comfortable. After all, they didn’t have influencers telling them how to dress from the age of 13. 

Gen X is also the perfect balance of tech-savvy but not tech-dependent. They were already adults when cell phones came onto the scene, but they still learned how to use them at a relatively young age. The majority of this generation is on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, but less than a quarter of them have ever posted a selfie. And they primarily use these sites for cooking and recipe inspiration, as well as television and movie recommendations.