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Many people I have spoken to, whom I know and respect do not really believe that there is a “Generation X” or that generation theory itself is credible. ... Nevertheless I am still inclined to think that generational breakdown is one reasonable way of looking at the population, along with economic classes, ethnic groupings etc. ... But by that time, most of the larger than expected generation in America born shortly after World War II (Boomers) were already in their teens or early twenties. ... And for this reason, the distinction of being the first truly Postmodern generation belongs not the boomers, but to the generation perpetually in their shadow – postmodernism has continued to exert and ever firmer grip upon this generation, of GenX.
The term Generation X was coined by Douglas Coupland as the title of a novel exploring the experience of growing up in the ‘shadow’ of the baby boom generation. Later it was referred to as the “thirteenth generation” which spans those born from 1961 to 1981 according to which source you ask, roughly at the same time as postmodernism began. ... The terms are both more a matter of attitude than one of age, and are relevant to a group of society that has been brought up on television, the lap top computer, the ‘latch-key’ generation of children who were born without the previously traditional safety net of the family and home. The generation that is characterised by a statistic that shows forty-three percent of marriages of their own peer groups are predicted to end after fifteen years. ... ”
As reflected by Postmodern thought this is emphatic of the great interest in individual agency. ...
Ideas of the importance of the self continue with the aspect of Generation X that hates anything inauthentic. ...
This Postmodern rejection of all-encompassing truths is reflected within Generation X and New Age religions further. ...
As I briefly mentioned, Generation X and New Age religions fall into a Postmodern society in which globalisation has been so intensified that communication and an ability to comprehend several ways of life and cultures have been enhanced. ... I believe that it is partly this suspicion of institutions that leads to the immersion of individuals into cyberspace. ...
One way in which postmodernity does not appear to completely reflect the feelings of generation x and new age religions in their search to reclaim tradition. ...
The difference between the traditional Christian and the New Ager, as with the old boomers and Generation X is that
“The Christian seeks salvation through worship, prayer, obedience and discipline, all in connection with that which is infinitely higher than him or herself; the New Ager seeks actualisation through context-setting and ‘work’ – working on ego attachments, typically in settings orchestrated by those who mastered what it is to go within. ... Elements of tradition, unlike in postmodernity whereby it is seen as restraining and ridiculous, is liberating to Generation Xers and New Agers. ... I think that it is true of postmodernism that people are both being driven apart from one another and are seeking each other out. ...
In England and America, Gen X was arguably the worst parented generation in a long time, devoid of dependable relationships, the latch-key phenomenon, parents who were away trying to “find themselves” in the 70’s etc. ... In this way I would say that younger adults are yearning to connect with other people simply cause a scientific and technological society is so fragmenting and thus value such relationships highly.
Approximate Word count = 2742
Approximate Pages = 11
(250 words per page double spaced)
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