This is related to something that always gives me a chuckle.
Every named "generation" gets labelled with some variation of the same description...
- Idealistic
- Not as focused on material things
- Wants to change the world for the better
- Doesn't want to work as hard
- Concerned with feelings
- soft
- rejecting the conformity of the previous generation(s)
- independent
That was applied to describe baby boomers, then Gen X, then Millennials, now Gen Z, etc.
Guess what...those describe all young people. We start describing generations when they hit young adulthood, and use variations on things that ALWAYS describe young people.
I'm absolutely certain that the parents of the Greatest Generation were bitching about how entitled and soft their kids were.
It's so dumb. Sweeping generalizations about generations are so dumb. I like talking about generational differences, but the real differences are way more prosaic. It's hard to find things that apply widely to any generation, and don't apply widely to previous generations.
I think about it a lot, and to me maybe the most defining characteristic of Gen X is that it is the first generation that never gave up childish things in behavior, interests, style, hobbies, etc. Generation X is the generation that basically rejected formal work wear (once in a position to do so) and sees no problem with wearing shorts to work. They never stopped playing video games, role playing games, paintball, etc. They kept their baseball cards and their action figures. They watched and enjoyed Spongebob with their kids (or without kids).
I think this is the most definite thing that separates Generation X from previous. It's widespread, and it's a complete break.