Being a young person in 2024 is far from easy. They’ve had to deal with the pandemic and all the chaos that came with it; and while the digital age has its benefits, it has a whole host of challenges too. Generation X didn’t have any of these issues. In fact, they had a childhood that many would envy. Let’s look at why Gen X had it so good, and how they navigated through massive changes to the world we now live in
No Internet
For the kids of today, the idea of having no internet is a truly terrifying one. Arguably, Gen X benefitted from missing out on the world wide web. They didn’t have the constant distraction of screens 24/7, so were better able to concentrate in school and to enjoy the company of their buddies. That’s something that modern kids rarely get to enjoy.
No Social Media
While there are lots of advantages to using social media, especially for adults who understand how to manage its usage, it can be detrimental for young people. They’re experiencing anxiety and depression directly linked to social media usage. Gen X didn’t have to contend with the endless peer pressure that these sites encourage, which made a happier childhood more likely.
Terrestrial TV
When Gen X was growing up, they didn’t have endless streaming options. Their favorite shows were on TV at set times each day, when everyone else was watching too. Kids would head into school the next day to talk excitedly about what they’d seen, and there were no spoilers, because no one knew what was coming next.
Playing Outside
Kids today are often monitored constantly by helicopter parents who won’t let them step foot outside of their own gardens. Gen X had the freedom to roam wherever they wanted. Provided they were home in time for dinner, playing outside with their buddies all day was expected and normal.
Health
More and more young people are experiencing weight problems today. This was much less of an issue for Gen X, possibly because they were always running or riding their bikes outside. In the 1970s in the US, only 5% of kids and teenagers were obese.
Independence
Gen X is made of tough stuff. They didn’t have everything done for them and had to learn to look after themselves from a young age. This is the generation that was parented by people who believed that “benign neglect” was an effective approach to development.
Problem Solving
Gen X grew up learning to solve problems by themselves. They were the first generation to experience having two parents who both worked outside the home. Much of the time, they had to figure things out without any help as their parents just weren’t around.
Resilience
A Gen X childhood meant developing resilience from an early age. This generation increasingly grew up in homes with more single or divorced parents than Boomers experienced. They learned coping skills and how to bounce back from emotional upset, both of which helped to shape them as adults.
Academic Success
Gen X was pushed by their Boomer parents to excel at school. There were no prizes for getting a C. Kids weren’t given validation for their efforts unless they really earned it, and this has helped Gen X to succeed in their careers today.
Happier with Less
Gen X enjoyed a childhood where happiness could be achieved with an ice cream on a hot day. A new pair of jeans was a treat to be enjoyed. Posters of favorite bands and singers were coveted possessions. Gen X didn’t need to have hundreds or even thousands of dollars spent on them to feel like they were getting a special treat.
Bullying
Many Gen Xers were bullied at school, like generations before and after them. But when they got home and closed the door, the bullying ended. Home was a safe haven where they could be free from name-calling and any other verbal abuse. Digital harassment means that kids today have nowhere to hide: almost half of teens in the US have been bullied on the internet.
Smartphones
Like any generation, Gen Xers did embarrassing things, but none of them were captured on video. Today’s kids can be recorded at any moment. The secret humiliations of Gen X remain locked in the past, and they certainly aren’t complaining about that.
School Focus
Gen X had fewer distractions at school. Occasionally, passing notes generated a bit of excitement but generally they just buckled down and got on with their learning. There were far fewer distractions to focus on.
Enjoying Reading was Easy
Getting stuck into a good story was something that many Gen Xers enjoyed. When the TV only had shows on at certain times and it was raining outside, there wasn’t much else to do beyond delving into a great book.
No Tracking
Unlike today, when Gen X headed out with their buddies, their parents often had no idea where they were unless they told them. Freedom was taken for granted. Today, 16% of parents track the location of their teens, so they’re quite literally monitoring their every move.
The Joy of Music
Before the advent of the internet, Gen X enjoyed the pleasure of visiting music stores. Heading into one of these beauties meant picking up the latest album of a favorite band or singer on record or tape. This is the generation for whom music collections were a source of pride and joy.
Excitement of New Technology
Gen X was at the forefront of the emergence of new technology. They pioneered the personal computer and the internet. This generation has seen more evolution in technology than any other, and they know how to use it to their advantage.
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