Members of 'forgotten' Gen X are sharing what it was like growing up in the coolest generation
Sandwiched between the much larger Baby Boomer and Millennial generations, Gen X is often left out of the intergenerational conversation. However, given the fact that Gen Xers are best known for shrugging off most things with a "whatever," most of us probably don't mind.
(Editor's Note: This article is written by a card-carrying member of Gen X, born in 1977.)
People born between 1965 and 1980 have a unique perspective on life because they bridge the divide between the old world of analog and the digital revolution.
We're the last generation that knows how to use a rotary phone and the first that dated people by meeting them on American Online. And we remember a world where there were actually music videos on MTV.
Gen Xers also grew up during a distinct period in history. We're the first generation in America who feared they wouldn't do as well as their parents. The AIDS epidemic made sex and relationships serious, life-or-death topics and we grew up during one of the most violent eras in American history.
We are also known as the "least parented generation in history." Many of us were born during the divorce boom of the '70s and '80s, a time when both parents worked, but there weren't as many daycare resources. So, a lot of Gen Xers were latchkey kids who came home to empty houses and took care of themselves.
Gen X also grew up during an incredible time for entertainment. We saw the first "Star Wars" trilogy, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," and the "Indiana Jones" films on the big screen or at drive-ins, not on Netflix. We also got to grow up during the greatest era of pop stars being entertained by the likes of Prince, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.
So, if you're a member of Gen X, you know there's a lot to feel nostalgic about.
Twitter user New Wave Tag Game, gave people born into the "forgotten generation" an excuse to share what it was like #GrowingUpGenX by starting the hashtag on Twitter.
Hi! \nLet's play #GrowingUpGenX!\n\nThere's been lots of talk about every other generation lately. Let's give a forgotten generation (Gen X) some love or at least, some attention!\n \nWith your pal,\nRadpic.twitter.com/C3pp4iByOY— New Wave Tag Game (@New Wave Tag Game) 1622520000
The technology was much different.
When you had to use one of these to play your Atari #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/tQfs9G64r6— Stuely (@Stuely) 1622540453
You had to GET UP AND CROSS THE ROOM to change the channel on the TV so you'd make your little brother do it for you #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/iwkLT4GWNy— Tara Dublin Is Vaccinated AF \ud83d\udc89 (@Tara Dublin Is Vaccinated AF \ud83d\udc89) 1622562540
Mixtapes. That\u2019s it. That\u2019s the tweet. #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/JwtDcWfztr— Crap_Locker (@Crap_Locker) 1622555423
Your phone was attached TO A WALL #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/tG1yJs8BpL— Tara Dublin Is Vaccinated AF \ud83d\udc89 (@Tara Dublin Is Vaccinated AF \ud83d\udc89) 1622562051
When getting good reception meant this. #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/Do8Lwkk3ps— Lauren (@Lauren) 1622555967
Having this box in your home meant no longer having to get up to change the channel. It meant fights over who got to control the TV when your parents weren\u2019t around. #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/KBkpxfOB3Y— Sonia Hazard (@Sonia Hazard) 1622549159
#GrowingUpGenX I was the first amongst my friends to have a computer and internet. I spent a lot of time in AOL chatrooms until someone had to use the phone.pic.twitter.com/CNnKufPHpW— Seeker of truth (@Seeker of truth) 1622558406
Everything for us was Swatch-styled.
Staying up late for Friday Night Videos, hanging out at the mall all day & never buying anything, & coveting the Swatch watch and clear telephone #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/oTh9wLg9ou— Liz LaPoint \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffc\u200d\ud83d\udcbb (@Liz LaPoint \ud83d\udc69\ud83c\udffc\u200d\ud83d\udcbb) 1622555306
Music was "free" but it wasn't on Spotify.
When we were kids, you could order \u201cfree\u201d music from Columbia House & BMG. #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/A2NhN8QOzO— The Baker\u2019s Plants\ud83e\udeb4 (@The Baker\u2019s Plants\ud83e\udeb4) 1622555596
Let's just say that school was really different.
I just spent 10 min explaining what a school book cover was to a millennial at work. \n\nShe still doesn't believe we had to do it.\n\n #GrowingUpGenX #ifyouknowyouknowpic.twitter.com/bILu84TEYk— CambridgeGirl (@CambridgeGirl) 1622558902
#GrowingUpGenX Owning one of these works of abstract geometric artpic.twitter.com/S8ylh2cCM4— Jill (@Jill) 1622559132
We've done pretty well at raising ourselves.
Two Christmases #GrowingUpGenX \n. .pic.twitter.com/cgGnNns7eD— Nick DiDio (@Nick DiDio) 1622562556
#GrowingUpGenX your whereabouts during the time between school ending and dinner being ready was a mystery that your parents didn't even try to solve.— robogreen (@robogreen) 1622558416
Does Amazon have an international food court? Didn't think so.
The Mall.... #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/O4hIq2oa5O— This is a Stupid Screen Name (@This is a Stupid Screen Name) 1622560416
Life as a kid was a lot different.
#GrowingUpGenX meant you got to Choose Your Own Adventurepic.twitter.com/eFqPgpLK9o— Victor Catano (@Victor Catano) 1622560728
I haven't seen a mention of being the last generation that dug through the cereal box for actual toys #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/H9BWb3NRG2— Maria Mogavero (@Maria Mogavero) 1622561851
Admit it, Gen X grew up with much better music than Millenials or Gen Y. Boomers are the only generation that may have had it better.
The age of the guitar hero...and we had the best that will ever be, Van Halen, Malmsteen, Vai, Johnson #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/niIKGhrv0e— Roger Sullivan (@Roger Sullivan) 1622568211
#GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/8WDDp0bPpb— Angie \ud835\udd7b\ud835\udd8d\ud835\udd94\ud835\udd8a\ud835\udd93\ud835\udd8e\ud835\udd9d Shanklin (She/Her) (@Angie \ud835\udd7b\ud835\udd8d\ud835\udd94\ud835\udd8a\ud835\udd93\ud835\udd8e\ud835\udd9d Shanklin (She/Her)) 1622562023
#GrowingUpGenX means setting a VHS timer to record MTV's 120 Minutes Sunday night at midnight for new indie music, then making a list of songs/bands you liked each week to check out at the used CD store.pic.twitter.com/R6X97tC07g— Mike Chen - WE COULD BE HEROES is out now! (@Mike Chen - WE COULD BE HEROES is out now!) 1622558752
Gen X may be the coolest generation because we've side-stepped the Boomer/Millenial conflict with style.
Still slacking after all of these years. #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/6rEi7d0g9R— Teresa Rothaar (@Teresa Rothaar) 1622556364
We had the best movies ever. #GrowingUpGenXpic.twitter.com/QgDJNvC2xI— \u262e\ud83d\udc99Penny's VAXXED G'ma \ud83d\udc99\u262f\ufe0f\u2640\ufe0f (@\u262e\ud83d\udc99Penny's VAXXED G'ma \ud83d\udc99\u262f\ufe0f\u2640\ufe0f) 1622566001
GenX is often referred to as the Forgotten Generation, and we really just don't care that much. #GrowingUpGenX— (((Manny Schewitz))) (@(((Manny Schewitz)))) 1622560654
This guy sums up what it was like to grow up Gen X best.
Whatever. #GrowingUpGenX— Irie DC (@Irie DC) 1622562555
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