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Bored Panda

Lifestyle

Mantas Kačerauskas

80 Posts And Memes That Sum Up The Gen X Experience Better Than Any History Book Could

Gen X Generation X

Gen X isn’t the most talked-about generation. Their predecessors, Baby Boomers, have gotten plenty of flak online. Meanwhile, Millennials and Gen Z have been the punchlines of countless jokes too. But if you were born between 1965 and 1980, we’re here to celebrate you and your peers today, pandas.

We took a trip to the Generation X subreddit and gathered some of their funniest posts below. From memes that you may find super relatable to pics that might fill you with nostalgia, enjoy scrolling through this list that’s dedicated to all things Gen X!

#1 Those Poor Employees

#2 The Old Magic

#3 How It Was Back In The Day

Generation X is the group of people who were born between 1965 and 1980. They are also known as the “middle child generation,” as they follow Baby Boomers and precede Millennials, or the “baby bust” generation. Part of the reason why this generation tends to be overlooked is that they were born after the birth control pill became widely available, so they are a smaller generation than Boomers.

For the first time, many of the children in this generation grew up in dual-income households, single-parent households, or households of divorce. For these reasons, many of these kids were “latchkey kids,” meaning that they came home from school to an empty house while their parents were still away at work.

#4 This One Hit Too Close To Home

#5 Generation X Learned So Much From These Amazing People

#6 Would

Another important part of history that impacted many Gen Xers was the AIDS epidemic. Many of these young adults came of age during the peak of this epidemic, meaning that practicing safe intimacy became extremely important to this generation.

Gen X also saw the world change dramatically while they were young, as the Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. This generation has also lived through many economically tumultuous times throughout their lives, including the recessions of the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s, early 2000s, and 2020.

#7 Nobody Ever Wanted To Get Up

#8 Is Generation X Just Getting Tired Of It All?

#9 We Were The Latchkey Kids Who Wore Our House Keys On A Shoestring Around Our Necks And Knew How To Take Care Of Ourselves

When it comes to the key characteristics of Generation X, Britannica notes that they are seen as a resourceful and independent group of people. Many are focused on having a healthy work-life balance and prioritizing their family lives. However, they are sometimes considered cynical, likely due to the economic and societal turmoil that they witnessed at young, impressionable ages.

#10 Funny Meme I Got From Facebook That I Thought I'd Share With The Group!

#11 No Wonder Generation X Was Scarred For Life!

#12 Generation X Absolutely Did Watch The Space Shuttle Explosion Live. I Saw It

PureWow published a piece breaking down some of Gen X’s signature traits, and they first note that this generation is full of expert DIY-ers. Many of them learned how to take care of themselves from a very young age, and they became extremely handy around the house. From figuring out how to repair a toilet while Dad was at work to finding creative solutions for fixing furniture, Gen X isn’t scared of a little challenge.

#13 Would You Go Back If You Could?

#14 It's Almost An Entire Generation That Doesn't Know What This Is

#15 Did You Keep All Your Physical Media (Specifically CDs And DVDs)?

When it comes to Gen X style, many happily decide to dress down. Previous generations may have put a stronger emphasis on looking nice all the time, and younger generations might do the same because they’re scared of constantly being perceived. But Gen X is happy to wear a simple, casual outfit that allows them to look cute but comfortable. After all, they didn’t have influencers telling them how to dress from the age of 13.

#16 Could This Be Why Genx Are So Snarky?

#17 Gen X Didn't Get Weather On An App. We Had To Watch The Local TV Station To Find Out If School Was Closed

#18 Can Confirm: I Babysat At 11

Gen X is also the perfect balance of tech-savvy but not tech-dependent. They were already adults when cell phones came onto the scene, but they still learned how to use them at a relatively young age. The majority of this generation is on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, but less than a quarter of them have ever posted a selfie. And they primarily use these sites for cooking and recipe inspiration, as well as television and movie recommendations.

#19 Did You Ever Have A Waterbed? Would You Use One Again?

#20 You Know Who You Are

#21 There Will Never Be Another Generation Like Ours

Something else that Gen X prides itself on is being fiercely independent. They probably won’t ask for help unless it’s absolutely necessary, which means they have developed excellent problem-solving skills. Meanwhile, Gen Xers love learning new skills, even at an age when most might give up acquiring new hobbies. They like to keep life interesting, even when they’re well into their 60s!

#22 And People Wonder Why Generation X Are The Way We Are

#23 I Used To Laugh At This Commercial. Now It Is Real!!

#24 Generation X'rs, How Many Of These Have You Used Or Remember? I Can't Make Out The Lower Right Picture, But I Think It May Be Fondue Forks

Are you enjoying these funny posts about what it’s like to be a part of Generation X, pandas? Keep upvoting the memes that make you smile, and let us know in the comments below what your favorite aspects of your generation are. Then, if you’re interested in reading another article from Bored Panda featuring memes about Gen X, we recommend checking out this one next!