This is a topic I hesitated to write about for months because I didn’t want to “rock the boat”, stir up shit and be “too personal”. See I am a Gen X woman who seeks to please and keeps quite just like the middle child in a family. I thought it’s best to keep these thoughts to myself and avoid criticism and mockery. It’s a typical character of my generation. We were girls at a time when society was less focused on children and more focused on adults. We struggle to publically and openly share our opinions.
But the recent denunciation of 2 Gen X female celebrities performing at the 2020 Super Bowl game puzzled me, actually, it pissed me off. It made me realize how challenging it is for a Gen X woman to be accepted for whichever boundaries she craves to rattle. We continue to be the neglected generation often sandwiched between the mega Boomers and Millenials.
Why, in today’s “liberated” society, can’t a Gen X feel and act young? Why must we abide by “appropriateness” while the mainstream society calls for “individualism” and “liberation”? Why do they shut us off?
The fabulous Gen X babes
Let me walk you through a number of cool things about “Like a virgin” generation that shaped our attitude about age and why we will always embrace youthfulness and vitality.
Torn but unbroken
Our generation of women was born in the midst of the sexual and Rock ‘n Roll revolution yet raised to abide by traditionalism. The society around us called for sexual liberation, freedom, and individualism, nevertheless, we were expected to be the poster moms and well-educated working women. Our Boomer parents raised us to work hard, pursue rewarding careers and be independent, but never to forget our place in society as “women” – you know the stereotypical notion that oppressed war-era women and boomers alike in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
We were torn into being liberal and conservative yet remained unbroken and a whole. We learned to respect traditions, still, we pioneered entrepreneurial and professional careers. Meanwhile, we stood by our daughters and enabled them to express their thoughts and empowered them to stand against injustice.
Harassed!
We experienced sexual harassment, were suppressed for trying to speak up and told: “this is how things are and we should learn to adapt”. When we were subject to sexual harassment, it was our fault because our physical appearance was an open invitation. We tried to shut up, abide by rules, avoid confrontation and, work on polishing our image to please society. But excuse us for failing to remain silent and oblivious to social hypocrisy. These big mouths of ours fought for decades to criminalize sexual harassment and only recently have we started to reap the benefits of our cries and efforts.
We are the Latchkey Generation
We were the cool girls who went back to empty homes after school, picked up the key that was left under the mat or in the backyard and waited for our parents. We survived loneliness yet vowed not to let this happen to our kids. Our whole personal identity was shaped by the independence of being home alone. And that’s why you see so many of us working independently with confidence, resourcefulness, and drive. We are the “self-sufficient” generation willing to take risks and for that, we thrive as female entrepreneurs and business owners.
The pioneer techie kids
We opened our eyes to color TV and we were the first generation of kids to play with game consoles (Atari). But most importantly, we carved the path of success for digital media when we replaced the walkman with, iPods, iPads, and iPhones. We are the numero uno techno literate generation Apple.
As techies, we embrace change, adaptability, and modernization. Gen X women advocate social justice by standing for diversity, activism, and globalization. We are the cradle of technology, reapers of social change, and mothers to a generation who champion strong causes, sustainability, and self-actualization.
The patrons of fashion labels
Millennial swaggers, step aside. Have you seen your mama’s 90s pic prancing in classic Gucci T or shades? These gen X punks pride in wearing Prada nylon bags, mom’s Guess jeans, hip-hugger Buffalo jeans, sneakers, and puffy sleeves. There’s no denying Gen X women are the backbone for today’s luxury labels, the street style (hip hop) trend, and fanny packs. Let’s just say, when it comes to style, been there done that. And guess what? it doesn’t thrill us, nevertheless, we find it quite nostalgic. We love observing our daughters in pleated pants, fanny packs and wide shoulder jackets, our mini-us!
Y2K survivors
We partied and danced to the tunes of 1999 even though our generation bore the full brunt of the Great Recession and Y2K scare. That didn’t stop us from working hard, focussing on results and willingness to put in the extra time to get the job done. Drive, determination, and self-reliance are just part of our nature and characteristics. In fact, we are recognized for the entrepreneurial spirit and the “idealist generation” in encouraging the celebration of individual effort and business risk-taking.
Way too cool to call it a quit
The MTV generation of women is too legit to quit being vibrant and young. We will continue to be independent leaders, pioneers, and risk-takers. We will spin on a pole, shake our booties and live like 1999 so call us rebellious and inappropriate. But please papa don’t preach, girls just want to have fun!
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