With such an interesting mix of characteristics, you may wonder why Gen X is so different than Boomers. Well, for one thing, they were one of the “least parented” generations ever: 40 percent were latchkey kids, and half of their parents divorced. This factor has lead some to an extreme of advocating for their children even to the detriment of the group.⁷

Gen Xers grew up in a society that was largely influenced and run by Boomers whose intense lives they often reacted against. Many found their “liberated” parents focused on careers and causes at the expense of families. Their parents had the highest divorce rates in history. Most Gen X kids grew up in single-parent or double-income homes. The child-rearing theory of the day stressed giving kids decision-making power and “not stifling them with rules.” Without a high level of nurturing and emotional bonding, they became skeptical, with an inclination to be independent. Some were forced into adult roles in dysfunctional families. Gen Xers were growing up during the deterioration of social, religious, political, and business institutions, which contributed to their disillusionment and distrust of authority.⁸

This lack of parenting led to a sort of generational “street smarts” where Gen Xers learned to do things on their own and made up their own independent rules as they went. Looking back over the Gen X foundation, it’s really no surprise that they learned to depend on themselves, decided work wasn’t everything, delayed getting married, bought their own homes, and looked for ways to remain primarily untethered except for child rearing where, determined to be different, they created a whole new category: over parenting.

Gen X’s “tough” street-savvy independence has kept them alive in the shadow of the older Boomers, but it hasn’t always created a beautiful working relationship. In fact, being managed by and being the manager of Gen X is no small endeavor for even the most seasoned Boomer leaders not to mention their fellow Gen Xers or the younger Gen Y. Let’s take a look….

Notes

1.   Gronbach, Kenneth W. The Age Curve: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Storm. New York: American Management Association, 2008. Print.

2.   “Psychology Across the Generations.” INSIGHT Magazine. Dec. 2009. Web. 24 July 2010. http://insight-magazine.org/2009/headline/psychology-across-the-generations/.

3.   Multhauf, Carmen and Lloyd. “Gen X IS the Market.” RISMedia Real Estate News | Industry Trends | Marketing— Residential & Commercial. 28 Oct. 2008. Web. 23 July 2010. http://rismedia.com/2008-10-27/gen-x-is-the-market/.

4.   Azzurro, Frank. “Why the Bad Economy Is Good for Productive People.” Amerika. 19 Dec. 2009. Web. 23 July 2010. http://www.amerika.org/2009/globalism/why-the-bad-economyis-good-for-productive-people.

5.   Marquardt, Katy. “When It Comes to Giving, Gen X Trumps Boomers.” U.S. News & World Report. 8 Sept. 2008. Web. 23 July 2010. http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/newmoney/2008/09/08/ when-it-comes-to-giving-gen-x-trumps-boomers.

6.   Gergen, David. “Shattering Expectations.” U.S. News & World Report. Money & Business, 11 Dec. 2005. Web. 24 July 2010. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/051219/19gergen.htm.

7.   Ring, Sara. “Are Gen X Parents a Pain, or a Plus?” K–12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies That Work. The Edutopia Poll. Web. 24 July 2010. http://www.edutopia.org/poll-generation-x-parents.

8.   Multhauf, Carmen and Lloyd. “Gen X IS the Market.” RISMedia Real Estate News | Industry Trends | Marketing— Residential & Commercial. 28 Oct. 2008. Web. 23 July 2010. http://rismedia.com/2008-10-27/gen-x-is-the-market/.