Popular Culture Review Vol. 8, No. 2, August 1997 | Page 113

Perspectives on Generation X:
The Role of Play in the
Formation of Male Personalities
Generation X is the age group bom between 1965 and 1980
(Porter 1996). The name, that of a punkish band in the I980's, was
popularized by Doug Coupland in 1991 and often attributed to him
(Rushkoff 1994). The generation of "baby boomers" preceding
Generation X currently holds much of the economic power and
privilege in the United States. This controlling generation has
branded Generation X a "lost" generation, lacking in direction,
having no focus, and full of cynicism. The "invisible" generation is
often characterized as "slackers" and misfits, unambitious and nonparticipatory. These "baby busters" have inherited the cultural and
economic burden left them by the boomers, who consider them
illiterate, unmotivated, apathetic couch potatoes and whiners
(Rushkoff 1994, 3-4).
But contrary to the stereotypes of their precedessors.
Generation X voted heavily in the recent national election. With
certain other key demographic categories, including women, blacks.
Latinos, and Jews, Generation X favored Clinton by 53% over 35% for
Dole (compared to an overall national profile of 49.2% for Clinton
and 40.8% for Dole). Although portrayed as uninvolved, about twothirds of Generation Xers volunteer to help others (Potter 1996).
While skeptical of slogans, causes, and established organizations,
they are much more involved with the community than was
previously thought, rating family and community as some of their
highest concerns.
What, then, characterizes Generation X, if not the
stereotypes of the baby boomers? While members of Generation X
differ, as do those of any generation, certain patterns can be
ascertained.
Generation Xers have little faith in the older generations.
Often from families of divorce and the first latchkey children, they
feel they cannot depend on their elders. Exposed to the avarice and
political scandals of the 1980's, they get little reassurance concerning