Comments on: Is Generation X Really Disengaged?

By: Angelo Losito

Angelo Losito — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:49:54 +0000

I knew Obama was X because he sounded the most realistic during the whole 2008 campaign. He was intelligent very straight forward. Don't forget Millennials are the reason why he won the election.

By: dsohigian

dsohigian — Mon, 24 May 2010 04:34:06 +0000

@Luke – I agree that a pragmatic Gen Xer would do the same as a Millennial, but I expect they would have a strong sense of irony about the whole process. And while I agree that many Mills may be cynical about the process, it still does set a standard early in life for Mills that they should \”give back\” to society, which definitely not a message that Gen X'ers heard. I think in the long term it will mean that Mills are much more civic-minded than X'ers, even if it feels rather forced to start with. As Mills see the results of their community service, I think many will be inspired to take action later in life when it is not just a requirement. I could be wrong, tho…

By: Luke R SWS

Luke R SWS — Mon, 24 May 2010 04:28:45 +0000

I think that any Gen-X'er who is pragmatic enough to fit their generational stereotype would act exactly the way Millennials act today. College admissions systems are now so competitive that no students can afford to not do community service. No one is secure with merely high SAT scores and a good GPA; there are always countless others at least as qualified with impressive volunteer resumes as well. It could be said that Millennials cynically work the admission system in order to come out on top. I don't think that to measure volunteer and donation rates is to measure optimism or will to "save the world" in terms of how they correspond to generations. What have changed are the institutions, not the individuals.

By: vmk

vmk — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:08:47 +0000

re; : volunteers/donating – I was employed recently to recruit volunteers and I have to say the generation doesn't seem to apply so much as upbringing and financial status – maslow's heirarchy of needs – people who are happy with a stable situation are more likely to help others or want to "give back". However… it is true that more Gen X's probably have financial challenges. Also seemed that those with more higher education, more likely to volunteer – nurses, doctors, teachers, etc. I had very fit silents dismiss requests with disgust, and also millenials. Boomers seemed to be mostly spending their winters in warm resort areas, so they weren't going to be available.

By: GenerationXpert

GenerationXpert — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:20:22 +0000

Hmmmm. I would argue that our president is a Gen Xer. So, no, we are not politically unengaged. Even if you don't agree that Obama is an Xer – just take a look at the people around him. This is the most X administration we've ever had.

By: dsohigian

dsohigian — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:02:03 +0000

I totally agree about Obama – no question that he is an X'er just by the way he acts (pragmatic and avoiding ideology).