Baby Boomers and Generation X
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structure, have more deeply isolated grown-ups from teenagers. The results are
what Hill Walker, co-director of the Institute on Violence and Destructive Behavior
calls “almost a virtual reaUty without adults.” (Leland 45)
What makes Generation X so distinct is that it is the first generation since
adolescents became a separate demographic to grow up with many of the
authoritarian constructs terribly weakened if not destroyed. Due to the rapid
development of technology, this generation is also the first wherein adolescents
and young adults know more about progress and have a broader perspective of the
globe than their parents, who in many cases cannot even access the cyberworld so
critical to their children’s existence and identity.
Bridgers hate large movements with their grandiose rhetoric and promises.
Pragmatism is a virtue; change should come incrementally and through a more
personalized form of activism. Asked if “all products that pollute the environment
should be banned,” only a third of Xers agreed, vs. half of Boomers. Selfrighteousness has given way to situational ethics. Their parents fought attack dogs
and fire hoses to desegregate lunch counters; now Xers struggle with ambiguous
battles over affirmative action, where helping blacks and Hispanics arguably hurts
Asians and whites. Xer activism is a chain Internet letter calling friends to “Save
Sesame Street” by e-maihng Congress about public television funding. Or it is
donating a few hours to transport meals to AIDS patients. Independent Sector, a
Washington-based research group, found that 38% of 18- to 24-year-olds
volunteered within the past year, along with more than half the 25- to 33-year-olds
(Homblower 58). One Bridger put it perfectly: “We are not out to change the world,
only to change the quality of life for ourselves” (Eberhhardt A14). E. Dionne Jr.
suggests that Bridgers have formed a synthesis between the values of the 1960s
and those of the 1980s. Michael Sanchez is president of Doing Something, another
group that promotes service and youth leadership. Sanchez notes that Bridgers are
much more civic-minded than politically minded. He says, “While there’s an
ideahsm, it’s less about changing the world than changing our neighborhood.”
Agreed. If all concern themselves with that, the world will take care of itself.
Hence, Bridgers are learning from the tensions and solutions of the sixties
that at some point altruism must compromise with practicality - a merging of
ideas which also explains why Bridgers are reluctant to commit themselves to
either political party. They see hfe through a perspective so complex that it seems
chaotic to previous generations. Commitment to an ideal is never absolute; it is
present, but its apphcation must also take into consideration other commitments.
What is good or evil? Depends on the situation. This is apparent in their
entertainment as well. While older generations shook their heads at Pulp Fiction
and Seven, Bridgers said, “Yes!” and made them hit movies. Whether it is a movie
or simply a news show, Bridgers want media to reflect the reality of the world they