X vs Y: Stuck Between Generations

For those of us born in the early 1980s, it's hard to decide what we relate to more: Kurt Cobain or N'Sync, He-Man Masters of the Universe or Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers? I believe the kids who spent their childhood in the eighties, and their adolescence in the nineties are facing a generation identity crisis.

On one side we have Generation X, and on the other we have Generation Y. The exact dates vary depending on who you talk to, but basically Gen-Y begins about the year 1980. We who were born from 1980-1984 are the front-runners of the so-called "Millennials." But the cool kids we admired while growing up all came from Generation X. In turn, it's pretty apparent that we're also the people Generation Y puts on a pedestal. Let me explain my opinion (since that's what people do on blogs).

Generation X: it just sounds cool. These are the people who wore ripped jeans and flannel, listened to Nirvana and identified with the movie Reality Bites. Gen-Xers are complacent and angry. They had to deal with the AIDS epidemic and were (for the most part) repulsed by the affluence-obsessed 1980s. Generation X seems to be made up of a lot of Idealists. But unlike the Baby-Boomers, who became activists and hippies, not many of the Gen-Xers had enough ambition to try and change society. They were disrespectful rebels, latchkey kids because both parents worked, or were divorced. These guys celebrate themselves as individuals, while having problems with authority, and expressing a good deal of angst. However, despite how depressing it sounds, this generation did have its contributions to the world in which we live. They weren't just slackers. They were the first stars of MTV. The ones who started recycling. They were the cast of Friends. They are also the minds behind much of the technology that Generation Y (and Z for that matter) can't seem to live without. I think there are definitely some characteristics of Gen-X in the early 80s kids. We still identify with a lot of the culture, even though it was "big kid stuff." But we have plenty in common with our own generation as well...the generation of Y2K.

In many ways, Generation Y seems to be polar-opposite from Generation X. That's why those of us born in those transitional years are a little confused about where we fit. Generation Y is much more optimistic than the previous generation. The TV shows and parents kept telling Gen-Yers how special they are. They told kids if you use your imagination, you can go anywhere and do anything. We always got trophies at the end of the soccer season even if we were the suckiest player on the suckiest team. Parts of Generation X had some of this crammed down their throats as well, but they called bull-crap much sooner.

Let's take a look at my favorite children's TV show of all time - Sesame Street. When Sesame Street started in the 1970s, it took place on a grungy inner-city street where furry rag-a-muffin monsters interacted with adults and kids of different races. Today Sesame Street looks much more like the suburbs. And everything seems to focus on super-happy Elmo, who was introduced to the show when first-round Gen-Yer's like me were growing up.

The funny thing is, when the first season of Sesame Street came out on DVD, it was deemd inappropriate for kids. So what was intended to educate and encourage kids in the late 70s is completely Un-PC today.

I found an interesting web-site with and article from 2003 that compares Gen-X with Gen-Y. A lot of it really makes sense. There's a table that puts the subtle-but-strong similarities and differences side-by-side. For example, Gen-X embraced diversity, but Gen-Y celebrates it. Being different was acceptable for Generation X, but being different is normal for Generation Y. Generation Xers chose their friends over their family, but for Generation Y, friends are family and family are friends. Generation X learned to use technology to its advantage. For most of Generation Y, it's always been a part of life.

But for those of us at the beginning of Gen-Y, we take a little from each side of that table. For instance, I may be a Gen-Yer, but I didn't have an email address until I went to college in the late 90s, and I got my first cell-phone after I turned 18. Kids from Generation-Z are getting cell phones in first grade! I may share some of the apathy that Generation X focused on, but I was nurtured and probably overprotected by my parents. What I'm saying is that the early 80s kids are hybrids of X and Y.

That's why I think us early Gen-Y crowd is of a different breed. I think the younger members of Generation Y look up to us. We are the Jessica Simpsons and Tony Romos. The Ashton Kutchers and Britney Spears. The Seth Rogens and Danica Patricks. Not always the most respectable crowd, but that's who we are. That's our contribution so far...or is it?

I had a professor while attending at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center my senior year of college who had an interesting theory on generations and their contributions to cutlure. Craig Detweiller told us how he believed each generation created it's own culture only after the previous generation created a culture for the next generation. I know that sounds confusing, so let's take music for example. Detweiller's theory is that Baby-Boomers created their own counter-counter culture with the hippie movement, the Viet Nam War, Woodstock and the rock of the 1960s, which defined this generation. But then Baby-Boomers went on to create Disco and Glam-Rock for the then very young Generation X. In response, Generation X created Grunge and Alternative as a back-lash to Disco and the Glam-Rock of the 80s. Rap and Hip Hop also emerged from Gen-X. Then Generation X was the force behind over-produced boy bands like the Back-Street Boys and N-Sync, or super-sexed teenage artists like Britney Spears. The street-wise rap turned into cheezy hip-hop full of bling and booty. Take Seth Rogen as another example. Is he Generation Y's contribution to comedy, or is he part of Gen X-er Judd Apatow's contribution intended for Generation Y?

So are artists like Eminem and Jack White the beginning of the backlash to this culture? Maybe, but maybe not. These guys are actually Gen-Xers as well. Generation Y really hasn't contributed much that is meaningful to culture as of yet. In fact, another blogger seems to feel Generation Y has no culture. I praying to Jesus that's not the case. As the first of us Gen-Y folks start to turn 30, I'm hoping that we get our keesters in gear and start contributing something with substance. Because when it's all said and done, we're not all going to get trophies. And even if we do, will they really mean anything? I'm not really sure that my professor's theories were exactly right. There has always been crappy cheese-ball culture along with good culture, no matter what time in history. Even individual artists have streaks of genius and skidmarks of crap throughout their careers.

Let's finish up with a look at the future. Generation Z is coming up fast. Like Gen-Y, the Z-Generation is going to be very technologically savvy. I'm pretty sure they're going to be tough competition. That's why I'm thankful the earlier generations are creating things like High School Musical to keep their minds numb, and to make them think the world is a bowl full of cherries. Generation X knew better. I guess I'm ok with being stuck in the middle of X and Y. This way, I can have a some of the realism, without all the angst. Plus, maybe I'll get a certificate or something! But let's not forget folks...we're all in this together.

THE ANGRY PROPHET