Millennials and Boomers may freak out over social distancing, but it's Gen X's time to shine
The "the least parented, least nurtured" generation in history was born for this.

Some Gen Xers hanging out in detention.
While generational stereotypes don't apply to everyone, there are significant differences between how Baby Boomers (1944 to 1964), Gen X (1965 to 1980), and Millenials (1981 to 1996) were raised.
Baby Boomers tended to grow up in homes where one parent stayed home and the other worked outside of the house. Millennials are known for having over-involved "helicopter" parents.
Then, there's Gen X.
The smaller, cooler generation that, according to a 2004 marketing study "went through its all-important, formative years as one of the least parented, least nurtured generations in U.S. history."
Gen X was the first generation to be born during the divorce boom, so many were raised by single parents or in blended families.
They were the first generation that experienced both parents working outside the home. But, unfortunately, at the same time, childcare centers and afterschool programs had not yet emerged to a significant extent.
via SuperBass / Wikimedia Commons
"There was a weak support network for children of working mothers," Cathy Sandeen writes in Continuing Higher Education Review. "Many members of Generation X were the infamous 'latch key kids' who stayed home by themselves after school until their parents returned from work.
Many Gen Xers had a feral-style upbringing which is looked down upon by both previous and subsequent generations. But it gave them a unique set of coping skills.
"Generation X were the resilient 'survivors,' who, though somewhat cynical, pessimistic, and suspicious, found a way to successfully negotiate their challenging social environment," Saneen continues.
So as health officials are encouraging people to stay in their homes and practice social distancing, it's Gen X's time to shine.
They were raised improvising after school snacks with what was left in the cupboards, entertaining themselves while unsupervised, and knew the dangers of opening the door to strangers.
Gen Xers on Twitter now feel deputized to show the rest of the world how to social distance with that special brand of Gen-X cool that Millennials could never achieve.
Social isolation? Gen X was born to do it.
Let me explain this is the most #GenX way possiblepic.twitter.com/fF0OIkdU35— NullPointerException (@NullPointerException) 1584229499
'Latch key kid' skills are forever.
#GenX Made our lunch, got ourselves to school & home after w/the key around our necks. Did chores. "Helped" make dinner. Did the dishes then homework.
— WhyGawdWhy 🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@dismyaccount66) March 15, 2020
Boomer parents-"I'm so tired! I work all day! Cook for me! Clean for me! Now go away-see & not be seen!"
Proud GenX'r
We are EXPERTS at being left unattended.
— The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) March 15, 2020
I could live off Flinstone’s reruns and dry cat food for months.
Amen, sister. “I’m goin to London for 3wks. There’s some postdated checks on the fridge, some cream chipped beef in the freezer. Your brother’s friend will check in on you once a day. Do your homework and stuff. Byeee!” “Whatever, ma.” (Plops on couch, watches “Taxi Driver.”)
— Chris Orbach (@chrisorbach) March 15, 2020
I remember when my parents decided I was old enough to leave me home alone for a week while they flew to Mexico in 1982.
— IrishJenn 🌊 🇮🇪🇺🇸 Get Vaxxed (@Irishjenn2005) March 15, 2020
I was 14.
It's time for the "forgotten generation" to lead.
As an X'er I feel like my whole life has led up to this important moment when my nation will call upon me to do nothing.
— Rob Rainbolt (@Rob_Rainbolt) March 15, 2020
My parents are brainwashed by Fox News. My kids are clueless without WiFi. We must lead the way, it is our time to shine. #GenX
— Paul (@ghostaccount7up) March 15, 2020
My people, it's our time to shine! Let's just do what we do best, watch the boomers and millenials go at each other while we sit at home, safe, because honestly we're too fucking exhausted and pessimistic to go out anyway #GenX
— Veronica (@that_vero_girl) March 15, 2020
I see #GenX is trending.
— The one and only Grace Mourby🕷️ (@badgraciebabes) March 15, 2020
We survived the Pepsi challenge, we got this.
We are #GenX and we know what’s up. pic.twitter.com/wZOSHs50jv
— Pete Cowles (@OpinionatedPete) March 16, 2020
Gen Xers are loving each other right now.
I love my generation #GenX https://t.co/UcmAxXK5pI
— Dina Natale (@RecruiterDina) March 13, 2020
Finally, some recognition 40 years later. Whatever. #GenX pic.twitter.com/MHW9V0Im40
— jason@calacanis.com (@Jason) March 15, 2020
When I see #GenX trending & they're all tweets about how fucking awesome & adaptable our generation is pic.twitter.com/r3Sz0lwAop
— Mikiran (she/her) (@iammikiran) March 15, 2020
- The Most Sensible Definition Of Marriage I've Ever Heard - Upworthy ›
- Everything wrong with how millennials are talked to about voting in ... ›
- Someone asked Millennials why they always joke about dying and ... ›
- A school in the UK punished innocent teen for returning to classes with 'lockdown hair' - Upworthy ›
- Fox News asked Gen X to 'stop cancel culture' and the responses are simply hilarious - Upworthy ›
- Gen X is the 'most stressed' generation alive but they're also the best at handling it - Upworthy ›
- 17 Gen X Memes for the Generation Caught in The Middle - Upworthy ›
- Study shows that Boomers and Millennials have similar tech habits. - Upworthy ›
- Gen X values that need to come back - Upworthy ›
- Gen X values that need to come back - Upworthy ›
- Mother of successful daughters shares her secret - Upworthy ›
- Mother of successful daughters shares her secret - Upworthy ›
- Baby Boomers admit these 17 things are better than when they were young - Upworthy ›
- How well is your community social distancing? This website grades states and counties. - Upworthy ›
There's a reason why some people can perfectly copy accents, and others can't
Turns out, there's a neurodivergent link.
A woman in black long sleeve shirt stands in front of mirror.
Have you ever had that friend who goes on vacation for four days to London and comes back with a full-on Queen's English posh accent? "Oooh I left my brolly in the loo," they say, and you respond, "But you're from Colorado!" Well, there are reasons they (and many of us) do that, and usually it's on a pretty subconscious level.
It's called "accent mirroring," and it's actually quite common with people who are neurodivergent, particularly those with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). According Neurolaunch, the self-described "Free Mental Health Library," "Accent mirroring, also known as accent adaptation or phonetic convergence, is the tendency to unconsciously adopt the accent or speech patterns of those around us. This linguistic chameleon effect is not unique to individuals with ADHD, but it appears to be more pronounced and frequent in this population."
Essentially, when people have conversations, we're constantly "scanning" for information—not just the words we're absorbing, but the inflection and tone. "When we hear an accent, our brains automatically analyze and categorize the phonetic features, prosody, and intonation patterns," writes Neurolaunch. For most, this does result in copying the accent of the person with whom we're speaking. But those with ADHD might be more sensitive to auditory cues. This, "coupled with a reduced ability to filter out or inhibit the impulse to mimic…could potentially explain the increased tendency for accent mirroring."
While the article explains further research is needed, they distinctly state that, "Accent mirroring in individuals with ADHD often manifests as an unconscious mimicry of accents in social situations. This can range from subtle shifts in pronunciation to more noticeable changes in intonation and speech rhythm. For example, a person with ADHD might find themselves unconsciously adopting a Southern drawl when conversing with someone from Texas, even if they’ve never lived in the South themselves."
People are having their say online. On the subreddit r/ADHDWomen, a thread began: "Taking on accents is an ADHD thing?" The OP shares, "My whole life, I've picked up accents. I, myself, never noticed, but everyone around me would be like, 'Why are you talking like that??' It could be after I watched a show or movie with an accent or after I've traveled somewhere with a different accent than my 'normal.'
They continue, "Apparently, I pick it up fast, but it fades out slowly. Today... I'm scrolling Instagram, I watch a reel from a comedian couple (Darcy and Jeremy. IYKYK) about how Darcy (ADHD) picks up accents everywhere they go. It's called ADHD Mirroring??? And it's another way of masking."
(The OP is referring to Darcy Michaels and his husband Jeremy Baer, who are both touring comedians based in Canada.)
Hundreds of people on the Reddit thread alone seem to relate. One comments, "Omfg I've done this my whole life; I'll even pick up on the pauses/spaces when I'm talking to someone who is ESL—but English is my first language lol."
Sometimes, it can be a real issue for those around the chameleon. "I accidentally mimicked a waitress's weird laugh one time. As soon as she was out of earshot, my family started to reprimand me, but I was already like 'oh my god I don’t know why I did that, I feel so bad.'"
Many commenters on TikTok were shocked to find out this can be a sign of ADHD. One jokes, "Omg, yes, at a store the cashier was talking to me and she was French. She's like 'Oh are you French too? No, I'm not lol. I'm very east coast Canada."
And some people just embrace it and make it work for them. "I mirror their words or phrase! I’m 30. I realized I start calling everyone sweetie cause my manager does & I work at coffee shop."