[ad_1]
Over the next several weeks, you’ll hear from several women writing about what they wish others knew about their generations. This week, you’ll hear from Carol Pipes (Gen X)! Read Georgia Williams’ (Gen Z) and Elizabeth Hyndman’s (Millennial) articles and stay tuned for articles written by a Baby Boomer and Silent.
OK, Boomers (and all you other generations). It’s time to shine the spotlight on the overshadowed Generation X.
Sandwiched between two large generations—Boomers and Millennials—Gen X is often considered the “forgotten generation.” Sociologists and cultural pundits have written scores of articles about the generations before and after us, so forgive us if we seem to suffer from middle child syndrome.
We’ve been labeled cynics and skeptics for questioning and pushing back against authority. But doesn’t every generation do that to some extent? I’d prefer we be known for our independence, pragmatism, and resourcefulness. And, yes, I recognize the irony of a Gen Xer writing, “Don’t label me.” So, who are the Gen Xers and what events shaped our lives?
Generation X: Bridging the gap with grit and grace
Born between 1965 and 1980, Gen X is the smallest generation at only 65 million. We were the first generation to be raised watching educational television. That’s right—we learned the alphabet from a bunch of puppets and honed our language skills watching a very young Morgan Freeman play Easy Reader on the Electric Company. And let’s not forget how the animated series Schoolhouse Rock! expanded our knowledge of American history and government, grammar, and the solar system. Thanks, Interplanet Janet!
We remember the energy crisis of the ’70s, the HIV/AIDS crisis of the ’80s, the Challenger Disaster in 1986, Reaganomics, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, and the advent of the personal computer. Our generation has seen it all—from the demise of disco to the rise of MTV and the dawn of the internet age. Whether you’re a Gen Xer yourself or just curious about what makes this generation tick, here are seven things you totally need to know about the “forgotten” generation that’s anything but forgettable.
7 Things I Wish You Knew About Generation X
1. We were the last “unsupervised” generation.
When we went out to play, we often heard “be home for dinner,” and that was pretty much the only rule. We learned about social norms in our neighborhoods with whoever happened to live near us. Bike rides, kickball, skateboards, jump ropes, and roller skates were a means to networking, negotiation, and inclusivity (even the kids you didn’t like were included in outside play). This freedom fostered a healthy sense of independence, self-reliance, and diplomacy.
2. We’re known for our ability to adapt.
Gen Xers have experienced rapid shifts in technology in our lifetime, and we’ve pivoted with every advancement. We’ve watched our music libraries go from vinyl records to cassette tapes to CDs to mp3s to the cloud. Typewriters, word processors, floppy disks, pagers, blackberries, personal computers, and smartphones—we’ve used them all. Our ability to move seamlessly between analog and digital worlds spills over into other aspects of our lives. When we entered the workforce, our Boomer bosses set the culture, and we learned to adapt (mostly) while advocating for more work-life balance. Now that we’re in the manager’s seat, we’re learning to adapt to the needs of the large number of Millennials and Gen Zs who’ve entered the workforce over the last few decades.
3. We’re thankful for trail-blazing Boomers.
We watched our moms and other women begin careers in the 1980s not traditionally held by women. It opened our minds to possibilities of higher education and career opportunities in commerce, law, government, medicine, and media. The career women of the ’80s projected authority and professionalism in their power suits, statement jewelry, and big hair. They opened doors and broke glass ceilings, and we are grateful to them for paving the way for the rest of us.
4. We’re ambitious, but we have our limits.
We entered the workforce with a strong work ethic but perhaps with a greater desire for work-life balance than previous generations before us. “Work hard, play hard” could be the Gen X motto. However, we learned that balancing professional responsibilities with personal life is a significant challenge. Many Gen X women have reached the age where we’re caring for both children and aging parents. Scheduling Zoom calls around kids’ dance classes, band concerts, and ball practices, along with our parents’ medical appointments, is like a real-life version of Tetris. While we want to succeed, we don’t want success at the price of our families or personal well-being. In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
5. We’re constantly amazed by Millennial and Gen Z women.
These younger cohorts have taken the world by storm. They are incredibly smart, entrepreneurial, and motivated by a strong sense of purpose and impact. If you’re a member of one of these generations, I hope you know we’re cheering you on.
6. We value community.
Unlike earlier generations, a number of Gen Xers grew up in single-parent homes or as latchkey kids. Community outside the “traditional” family became highly valued. We formed tight bonds with the kids in the neighborhood, at school, and at church. We may have been the first generation to be accused of being on the phone all the time, but we were actually talking to our friends and nurturing our real-life community.
7. We still need to hear the gospel.
Many of us grew up in churches that taught Jesus plus moralism. We were often taught that the Christian life was about a lot of dos and don’ts. Our well-meaning leaders were likely reacting to a decade marked by the sexual revolution and the rejection of traditional values. But Jesus plus anything diminishes the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. If we’re not careful, our pursuit of Jesus can turn into a Christian checklist that’s more about outward appearances than a holiness of the heart. Moralism is a sneaky thing, so when you see us slipping into old habits, remind us of the gospel and that salvation comes by faith alone in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8-9).
So, there you have it—Generation X in all its glory. I know I don’t speak for all Gen Xers, but I hope I’ve captured a few elements that would resonate with many of us. We might joke about our “middle child syndrome,” but the truth is that challenged us to carve out our own unique identity. I’m pretty proud of Gen X and our ability to adapt and thrive in a world of rapid change and the mark we’ve left on the world around us. To paraphrase the words of a hit song from one of our most iconic movies, don’t you forget about us.
Sources: Generational IQ by Haydn Shaw and Encyclopedia Brittanica (IYKYK)
Get a head start and sign up for our free You Lead Webinar in November 2025: Every Generation Asks: What Do I Have to Offer?
ABOUT CAROL PIPES
Carol Pipes is director of corporate communications at Lifeway Christian Resources. A Tennessee native, Carol lives in Nashville with her husband, Keith, who leads the worship arts team and serves as campus pastor at Friendship Community Church in Old Hickory.
[ad_2]
