How to Tell if You Are a Member of Generation X

Last Updated: December 23, 2024 References

Generation X is one of the 6 main generations still alive today as of 2024. Around 19.5 percent of the United States's population is comprised of people that are part of Generation X. ^{[1]
X
Research source} It is also called the "MTV Generation" because MTV dominated television when members of Generation X were growing up. ^{[2]
X
Research source} People in Generation X are in their 40s-50s currently. Here are some ways to identify if you are a member of Generation X.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Checking Through Facts

Download Article

1
Know your birth year. People born in Generation X were born between the years 1965 and 1980. If you were born between these years, you are part of Gen X. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Additionally, you could be on the cusp of Baby Boomers and Generation X. These people experienced events from both generations. They were born between 1954 and 1965. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- You could also be in the cusp between Gen X and the millennial generation. These people are called "Xennials" and they are born from 1977 to 1983. ^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
2
Check when you will retire. The average age of retirement is between the late 50s and late 60s, with the US averaging 65 years of age. ^{[6]
X
Research source} So, if you retired between the years of 2023 to now, you are likely a member of Generation X.
- Using the U.S's average age of 65, you would retire between the years of 2030 to 2045.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Checking Through Historical Events

Download Article

1
Think about how many countries' leaders you remember hearing about. If you heard names such as Richard Nixon, Zhou Enlai, Mao Zedong, and Leonid Brezhnev being mentioned in the news, then you are probably a member of Generation X.
- If you are on the Gen X-millennial cusp, you may have heard of more 1980s historical figures, such as Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, George H.W. Bush, and Margaret Thatcher.
2
See if you have a few memories of the Vietnam War . The Vietnam War lasted from 1955 to 1975 between the communist North Vietnam and the anti-communist South Vietnam. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Union and China, whereas the South was supported by the United States. ^{[7]
X
Research source} You may have heard about this event in the news. Additionally, if you had an older sibling or a parent who served in the war, you may be part of Gen X.
- You may have lived in Vietnam or another country affected by the war at the time. In this case, you likely witnessed numerous tragic events caused by the fighting. ^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- Public opinion on this war divided America. While many World War II veterans believed it was crucial to stopping the spread of Communism, many pacifists, young people, and members of the Civil Rights Movement saw the conflict as costly and unjust. As the first televised war, horrific images, and reports that America was defending a corrupt and anti-democratic government, led people to question how the American government could justify standing for such a regime. ^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
3
Remember the turbulent political era. The 1970s marked a time of political unrest. Americans were protesting their country's involvement in the Vietnam War. ^{[10]
X
Research source} Additionally, the LGBTQ rights movement, environmental rights movement, and the feminist movements started gaining members. ^{[11]
X
Research source} . There were multiple wars in different countries.
- Harvey Milk was elected as the first openly gay official in California. ^{[12]
  X
  Research source} President Richard Nixon resigned after the Watergate scandal. ^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
- Additionally, the Yom Kippur War (1973) fought in Egypt, Syria, and Israel resulted in the deaths of thousands of troops. ^{[14]
  X
  Research source} The Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 also raised tensions. ^{[15]
  X
  Research source}
- In Spain, dictator Francisco Franco died in 1975, leading to the original monarch, Juan Carlos I being re-established as a constitutional monarch. ^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
- If you remember most of these events happening during your youth, you are probably a member of Generation X.
4

Remember the social stigmas at the time. Generation X grew up in a changing world. Minorities such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people were fighting for their rights and equality. ^{[17]
X
Research source} Crime rates also rose across the US in the 1970s and 1980s. Families started to worry about their safety. ^{[18]
X
Research source} Additionally, the AIDS epidemic started in 1981. In the early 1980s, before it was known that HIV, if untreated, may cause AIDS, gay people were targeted because of harmful stereotypes during the epidemic. These stereotypes were perpetuated through preexisting stigmas surrounding the LGBTQ+ community and scapegoating in the media. ^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} ^{[20]
X
Research source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Checking Through Shared Experiences

Download Article

1
Remember how your family lived during your childhood. Generation X had another nickname: the "Latchkey Generation". This originated from when children often arrived home from school alone (as they had working parents), and they had to open the door to their house alone using their house key. Baby Boomer and Silent Generation parents were more relaxed in terms of safety issues, so they often allowed their children to go outside for hours at a time without anyone knowing where they were. ^{[21]
X
Research source} Most Gen X children had at least one sibling, so older siblings took care of younger siblings. ^{[22]
X
Research source} ^{[23]
X
Research source}
- If you remember most of these childhood experiences, you are likely to be a member of Generation X.
2
Recall famous TV shows from the era. Some iconic shows debuted in the 1970s and 1980s. The 1970s marked the start of less conservative, family-friendly TV shows. TV shows started talking about more mature subjects such as sex and drugs. Additionally, more African-American actors were cast in these TV shows. ^{[24]
X
Research source} In the 1980s, ABC, NBC, and CBS were the main channels that dominated cable television. The TV industry profited immensely during the 80s. ^{[25]
X
Research source} Additionally, more children's cartoons were created. Some iconic 1970s-1980s TV shows you may have seen include:
- M*A*S*H* (1972-1983) ^{[26]
  X
  Research source}
- Happy Days (1974-1984) ^{[27]
  X
  Research source}
- The Jeffersons (1975-1985)
- Charlie's Angels (1976-1981)
- The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
- Miami Vice (1984-1989) ^{[28]
  X
  Research source}
- The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
- Full House (1987-1995) ^{[29]
  X
  Research source}
3
Remember historical events in the news. Think about what historical events you remember happening. Recall important historical events that happened during your childhood. There were many events that happened after the post-war baby boom (which created the Baby Boomers), including various civil wars and military coups. Some events that Gen X'ers have lived through include: ^{[30]
X
Research source}
- Malcolm X's assassination (1965) ^{[31]
  X
  Research source} ^{[32]
  X
  Research source}
- The first American moon landing (1969) ^{[33]
  X
  Research source}
- The Troubles, a period of political unrest in Ireland (from the late 1960s to 1998) ^{[34]
  X
  Research source}
- The first Earth Day event (1970) ^{[35]
  X
  Research source}
- The oil crisis of 1973 ^{[36]
  X
  Research source}
- Richard Nixon's resignation after the Watergate scandal (1974)
- The Cambodian genocide (1975-1979) ^{[37]
  X
  Research source} ^{[38]
  X
  Research source}
- Smallpox's eradication (1980) ^{[39]
  X
  Research source}
- Mount Saint Helens's eruption (1980)
- Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988)
- The music channel MTV debuting in 1981
4
Think about popular movies you saw or heard about. If you saw movie posters for these iconic movies, or if you saw these movies in theaters at the time, you might be a member of Generation X. There were many iconic movies of the 1970s-1980s, with popular actors and actresses starring in them. These included: ^{[40]
X
Research source}
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
- A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- The Godfather (1972)
- Jaws (1975)
- Saturday Night Fever (1977)
- Grease (1978)
- 9 to 5 (1980)
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5
List how many popular songs from the 1970s-1980s you know. Music was a key part of Generation X's youth because of the rise of MTV. People also found new ways to consume music other than with radio, such as using CDs and cassette tapes. ^{[41]
X
Research source} ^{[42]
X
Research source} Various genres of music were popular during these decades, including disco, punk rock, hard rock, new wave, heavy metal, blues rock, synth-pop, post-punk, and glam metal. If you listened to music during the 1970s-1980s, you probably know many famous musicians and songs. Some songs you may have heard as a Gen X'er include:
- (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay (1968), Otis Redding ^{[43]
  X
  Research source}
- Stairway to Heaven (1971), Led Zeppelin ^{[44]
  X
  Research source}
- Rocket Man (1972), Elton John
- Smoke on the Water (1972), Deep Purple ^{[45]
  X
  Research source}
- Bennie and the Jets (1974), Elton John ^{[46]
  X
  Research source}
- Fame (1975), David Bowie
- Bohemian Rhapsody (1975), Queen ^{[47]
  X
  Research source}
- Ma Baker (1977), Boney M
- Dreams (1977), Fleetwood Mac ^{[48]
  X
  Research source}
- Hot Stuff (1979), Donna Summer ^{[49]
  X
  Research source}
- Another One Bites the Dust (1980), Queen
- Hit Me With Your Best Shot (1980), Pat Benatar ^{[50]
  X
  Research source}
- 867-5309 (1982), Tommy Tutone ^{[51]
  X
  Research source}
- Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) (1984), Phil Collins ^{[52]
  X
  Research source}
- Radio Ga Ga (1984), Queen
- Alone (1987), Heart ^{[53]
  X
  Research source}
6
List celebrities or famous figures of the 1970s-1980s you remember. You may have heard these people in the news, or by watching their movies or listening to their songs. In the 1970s-1980s, actors starred in iconic movies such as The Exorcist , Saturday Night Fever , The Godfather ^{[54]
X
Research source} , The Shining , E.T. , The Breakfast Club , and Beetlejuice . ^{[55]
X
Research source} If you were young in the 1970s-1980s, you may have heard of most of these people. This includes:
- Actors: Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Barbra Streisand ^{[56]
  X
  Research source} , Demi Moore ^{[57]
  X
  Research source} , Jane Fonda, Kris Kristofferson
- Musicians: The Bee Gees, Queen, ABBA, Stevie Wonder, Elton John ^{[58]
  X
  Research source} , Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna, David Bowie, Wham, Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, Erasure, Hall & Oates, Eurythmics ^{[59]
  X
  Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

[46]

[47]

[48]

[49]

[50]

[51]

[52]

[53]

[54]

[55]

[56]

[57]

[58]

[59]

Log in

How to Tell if You Are a Member of Generation X

Steps

Checking Through Facts

Checking Through Historical Events

Checking Through Shared Experiences

Expert Q&A

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories