Interesting study on the work-lifestyle of Generation X

[samurainoir]

It's been almost twenty years since the big media scrutiny around "generation X" of which many of us here belong. We tend to get overlooked in the larger cultural landscape due to the smaller generational population, falling between the Boomers and their Echo kids.

Interesting insights about the hardships we've faced and how we've shifted from the Boom generation. Particularly in the areas of dual income families, the number of economically difficult times we have weathered, the choice not to have children or children much later in life (which will undoubtably yield fascinating results in the post echo generation).

http://www.worklifepolicy.org/docume...se%20final.pdf

I think it's Safe to say we've shed the "slacker" label, but on the whole, overeducated and underemployed still seems to be holding true as Boomers are opting not to retire due to the harsh ecomomic climate, and the threat of the leap-frogging Gen y/Echo is pretty much a reality as they enter their thirties.

[Nostalgiabuff]

I read these types of reports, and I realize for some people it is true but from what I see, of those in my age bracket - (36-42) - I think we have a better lifestyle than our parents. The one general exception being now most families are two income out of necessity. I know my parents scraped by and we had no extra money growing up, and there were 5 children there. My wife and I are both white collar, professional career, college educated and make a good living, have 3 children and generally have a very comfortable life style. I see the same with the majority of my friends in the same age bracket.
now with my older and my youner brothers, it is a different story with their age bracket. I am 39. my older brother 45 and younger 34. from what I see of their friends in eaches age bracket, is that they are often not college eduated and work in blue collar jobs. not that there is anything wrong with either, but they are not doing as well as our parents were at that age. it's like there are several sub groups to the Gen X thing.

[samurainoir]

Keep in mind that on an individual basis, most folks tend to gravitate towards commonality. College educated/white collar will have a similar peer group for example.

Think this type of study is most useful when looking at overall trending and percentages, but there will be wildly different experiences within that spectrum of course, with the main focus being the middle class experience. Which again will vary widely with the gulf between the " haves" and " have nots" increasingly widening since our parents generation.

[Adam West]

This exact issue is brought up all the time when I attend continuing education conferences for my CPA license. One big positive for Generation X'ers is exactly what was mentioned but overlooked (there was a large Baby Boom, birth rates fell dramatically, and now what they call the Echo Boom). Baby Boomers are staying in the workforce longer but companies are starting to realize that as the Baby Boomers retire; companies will be scrambling to fill top level jobs so the good news is that if you are part of Generation X and moving up the Corporate ladder, companies will soon be clammering for you. The big criticism I hear over and over with the Echo Boom generation has to do with being the first generation of coddled kids and will take longer to groom into leaders. They are super smart, want instant gratification (involving work promotions, etc.) and generally have no loyalty to companies where they work. It has been said that Generation X'ers are in a strange position because we are generally sitting in Middle Management and have to report to Baby Boomers who are used to a certain type of loyalty and work ethic but have Echo Boomers who report to us who aren't quite as loyal and are more interested in work/life balance.