Generation Next
X marks the spot?
Recently, I read an article comparing the name “Generation X” with other living generations (Silent, Boomers, Millennials) in a not so favorable light. The first thing that came to mind is what does Billy Idol’s old punk band has to do with my generation? Since I was born in the late '60s and am systematically part of this generation, I take great insult with being branded with an X.
Defining a generation with an X defines a generation that is vacuous and unknown. It’s unfair and uncalled for the statement. How about calling generations before us Generation F for Failure? Oh yeah! I went there.
Now we have the up-and-comers labeled Millenials — a much better name than the original Generation Y. Previous generations still say today’s youth are lost causes. The same adage used for mine and the same one said about the boomers. Do you see the pattern?
How can anyone blame us for our feelings of despair, anger, and disillusions? Living in the so-called ‘dog-eat-dog-world’ where every man/woman/child must fend for themselves. Many people my age came from parents who only seem concerned with their own self-indulgences. We are just the products of their greed. Selfish parents begot selfish children.
Why are dreams growing dimmer as time continues? With jobs scarce, the cost of college astronomical, and idiots getting reality shows, can you condemn us for our attitudes? Oh, I know, attitudes can be adjusted. But we all want the same basic things from life regardless of our generation. And sometimes our memory lapses from when we were their age. Are we really ever any generation’s age?
Don’t get me wrong. I certainly am not looking for anyone’s sympathy. We all desire to be young and carefree, but unfortunately, not many generations had the opportunity to experience “young and carefree.” Being young is a wonderful thing and I really regret that I have to grow old. But being young isn’t always as easy as it looks (or as easy as we remember). Our problems are as legitimate as any other generation. Let’s not forget that point. The only thing we can do is learn from previous generations, and hopefully, we won’t repeat the same mistakes.
