Generation X: Please check in and say some words about your life/situation and ambitions if you

[Mike03]

feel like it.

There have been many posts about the BabyBoomers, but I really am yearning to know how people of my generation are feeling, and what you are doing, and what your issues are. We sort of got lost in the shuffle, as far as I can see it.

If you cried when Kurt Cobain died or laughed at "Reality Bites", you are most likely a member of Gen X. (that is either a joke or an approximation, but it feels pretty honest to me).

Are you satisfied with your lives?

Are you doing what you wanted to be doing?

Are you in some transitional period now, where you are looking towards new goals?

Is there something to hope for?

Are you optimistic about the future?

Whatever is on your mind, I would really appreciate knowing.

[pbca]

1. I moved to Canada

The whole dynamic is different here. Gay marriage is a reality, national health care is a reality, I live in the most multi-cultural city on the planet (according to the UN) and any kind of bigotry is very rare. I live in a city where there are a million things to do any hour of the day, any day of the week and there are vibrant thriving communities around literature, music, film, theatre, art, etc., etc.,

So, I am generally satisfied and happy with my life and optimistic about the future. I could never say that when I lived in the US - no matter who was in office, and wouldn't be able to say it if I came back now.

[ellie]

2. Gen Xer here

I am worn out by the bush years and worried about the future. I have a pretty good job and bought a house about two years ago and am OK, but I am concerned that this country is lost, no matter who gets elected. I can't believe my fellow citizens voted for Bush for two terms. Although I believe there was voter fraud, enough people voted for that idiot that it was close enough for them to steal. I can't get excited about either Hillary or Obama and probably won't vote in my primary (Ohio, March 4) because I am pretty close to not caring anymore. In 2004 I knocked on a lot of doors for Kerry to no avail. Now comes word that the Secret Service pulled security from the Obama event in Dallas and I feel like another fix is in. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you want, but I lived through Watergate, and Iran Contra and nothing ever, EVER, happens to these people. They do what they want, when they want. I am ready to move overseas but won't go anywhere while my mom is alive (my dad will be gone 10 years on March 5).

So that is where I am. Hating everyone, especially repukes. I have no desire to work with repukes or get along with them. I want them all wiped off the map. And I am a peace lover.

[Mike03]

6. Thank you for sharing your story

There are so many times when I feel exactly like you feel, that part about not caring, but I just find it so hard to confess that. And being somewhat antisocial.

And the mystery to me, is how did I become this? My parents are really good people.

I can't thank you enough for sharing this, because there's no one I can really talk to about this. My sisters might sort of understand, but I'm not sure.

[cloud75]

3. i work for a fortune 500 company with close ties to the Bush Administration

i was a journalist at one time making a difference in people's lives when i decided i wanted to make more money now i'm trying to get out of my current career and start a business without going broke and sacrificing the nice but not extravagant life style my family is used to. My biggest worry about starting my own business is healthcare can i afford insurance and can i save for retirement...if i stay in my current career i will be set for life in about 15 years but working for an industry that doesn't appeal to me only the money does.

[angrycarpenter]

4. What is the cut off date?

I am in between the two (june 64). I was 12 in 1976 and to me America was wonderful and beautiful and held so much promise.

I feel that we were cheated out of most our hope for the future. The young republicans and the pretend hippies alike went out and mortgaged the future for a lavish right now.

I am optimistic about a couple of things. One, the conservatives are in decline finally. Two, populist political action is becoming trendy.

[BlueIris]

7. I think of Gen X as those born between '65 and '80.

I think you can comfortably call yourself Gen X if you want, though. Especially because you're willing to admit this: "I feel that we were cheated out of most our hope for the future."

[BlueIris]

5. I'm fortunate enough to have been able to attend college,

and frustrated as shit about everything that's happened to what passes for my life's ambition, goals, etc. since finishing school. Especially when I have to listen to the derisive sneers of Boomers and Boom Echo types who keep insisting the economy is fine, fine, fine and I have nothing standing in the way of attaining more of what I want. I'm also angry at how few people my age are physically involved in any campaign or reform effort. Yeah, it takes work (and, you know, courage) to do that, and it takes willing to be rejected by friends and family who don't understand, but it's still really important. Get off your fat, lazy asses and pick up some of the slack. I'm fucking exhausted over here.

[OhioChick]

8. Gen Xer Here....

Sorry, but this will be simple.


Are you satisfied with your lives?

No.

Are you doing what you wanted to be doing?

Yes and No. Software Engineer. I love what I do, however am scared on a daily basis that my job will soon be outsourced. The pay cuts and 60-80 hour weeks without overtime make me feel like a hired whore.....

Are you in some transitional period now, where you are looking towards new goals?

Just hoping that we can get someone in office to penalize companies for moving/shipping jobs overseas, take on big corporations, as well as having a health care plan that is possible.....Amongst other things.

Is there something to hope for?

Better health care as I have a chronically ill child. I'm one of the "under-insured."

Are you optimistic about the future?

The near future....No. If we start on the right path soon, then possibly. It'll take decades to fix or un-do all of the damage the past 7+ years have done.

[pansypoo53219]

9. this gen Xer

is somewhat satisfied with being a slacker. i am hoping to see the day when georgie is DEAD. not just gone. i NEVER thought i would be glad to have ronny RAYGUN back.

i hope the future will be better, cause the present SUCKS.

[Mike03]

10. This topic is so sensitive to me that I will probably bookmark it for tonight

and check out the responses tomorrow, if that is okay.

I really appreciate any responses you all have made, and I am bookmarking this discussion.

With Gratitude...

[FirstLight]

11. Not much hope here ...

I graduated in 1988, and thought that things were going to be easy and fun… partied a lot before “settling down” at 21, got married, and had a baby…and ended up alone & going back to college by 23.
Life has taken some different turns. The 90’s were actually not so bad, I worked as a journalist, completed my AA degree, and got to think that I might have a chance of making a life for myself… got remarried in 2001 and thought my husband & I were on our way to building a life, maybe not buying a house, but at least on our way. Two kids later and some bad juju…he’s in jail and I’m struggling again.
This time, the struggle seems to have gotten worse and I have to keep reminding myself that it isn’t my fault, just bad timing and worse politics. The state of things is really bleak in my eyes. How do I tell my teen that he can go to college and build a life when I wonder if we will even have anything resembling normalcy in the next few years? Between the environment and the economy, my best bet is to grow food in the backyard and be ready for the shit hitting the fan.
I always knew that being born at the time I was, was something amazing, that I would get to see things change on a grand scale…but now I fear that change and what it means for my children. I don’t think they will have any idea of the opportunities I had. And I wish I could have been more and done more with the time I had when I was younger. I don’t feel old, but I feel like so many of my options are dried up.
My folks don’t understand how I can be scraping by and why I haven’t been able to finish college and buy a house like they did – but the world isn’t the same place it was in the 60’s or even the 70’s…
Sorry, feeling depressed tonight… and way older than my 38 years

[provis99]

12. typical Gen-Xer here. Cynical and hopeless about the future

Overeducated and underemployed. Annoyed with egomaniac Baby Boomers. You know, the usual stuff.

[clyrc]

13. I'm 38, a college graduate, married with two daughters

I planned on getting a job this year, but I got pregnant again, and so that is put on hold again for a while.

My ambition was to be a writer, but that didn't work out. I would have liked to be a librarian, but that never worked out, either. I've tried teaching, running political campaigns, and working with community associations, with more or less success but nothing earth shattering.

In 2003 I moved with my husband to the United Arab Emirates, where my he is doing very well, making more money than he ever could in the States. Being an expat changes the way you look at your life. Because of where I live, it's hard to make any realistic plans for the future, so I still daydream but I just don't know. I'm not so worried about my future, but I'm very worried about the future of the US. I still vote, follow Du, support candidates, and watch political news.

I am hoping that sometime in the future, some fabulous job falls in my lap that lets me help people, challenge myself, and makes me a bit of money. I never thought that at 38 this would still be on my wish list for the future, but there it is.

[emmadoggy]

14. Wow. Deep.

This is a whole can of worms you are asking about.

I'm 40, married, with twins in kindergarten. I've been a stay-at-home mom since they were born. This year, when they started school, I signed up as a substitute teacher's associate - something I had never done before, but the hours fit perfectly with my kids' schedule, obviously. The work, and therefore, pay, is sporadic and measly, but I wasn't ready to dive back into full-time or even part-time work that would wreak havoc on my time with the kids.

Personally, I am very happy being a SAHM, but the price has been high in that we have gone into a lot of debt and are barely keeping our heads above water financially. Given the past seven years and what is going on with the economy and global warming/energy, I am VERY nervous, anxious, and frightened about the future. My husband works in a business that could be very adversely affected by the aforementioned issues - motorcycle/atv/snowmobile sales. We have small retirement accounts and nothing else to fall back on. I probably should have gone back to work full-time a few years ago, but just couldn't bear the idea of putting my kids in full-time daycare - not to mention paying for it. For what the daycare would cost out of the amount I would most likely be able to bring in, it hardly seemed worth it.
I definitely feel like our generation is going to be falling through some cracks and are not going to have a lot of the security and promise and opportunities that previous generations have had. I feel a bit like the rug has been pulled out from under us. My husband and I have never had much financially and have always lived pretty much paycheck to paycheck, but I have never felt more insecure and frightened about the future than I do now.

My biggest fears are for my kids. I'm terrified of what global warming, peak oil, our collapsing democracy/economy/social programs, and world unrest will mean for my kids' future. I don't have a lot of faith in the world's leaders, especially our own, not to mention the whole of society to avert the looming disasters. I'm afraid the shit is going to hit the fan and it makes my heart ache for my kids.

I despise the Bush administration for all they have done to this country and the world. It will take MONUMENTAL work, determination, vision, courage and integrity to even begin to right all that they have done. Unfortunately, I don't have faith that either of our two "chosen ones" are anywhere near being up to the task or even seem to "get" it.

So how's that for a gloom and doom outlook?? Depressing, isn't it? Even though I'm very content with what I am doing in my own little world on a daily basis, I am VERY uneasy about our financial situation and down-right FREAKING OUT about the big picture/future.

Sad, but there it is.