Hi, I’m Vashon and I’m feeling marginalized. You see, I’m part of the generation that was unimaginatively called Gen X, Generation X or The Lost Generation. I was born in 1973 and I happen to have a lot to say and share with the world. However, unless you were born between 1965 to 1984 (age 34 to 53) you probably don’t care about that. We Gen Xers are made up of the people born after the Baby Boom following WWII. These are people born between 1946 to 1964 who are currently age 54 to 72. The Boomers are made up of approximately 76 million people compared to our small Gen X group of 65 million.
We Gen Xers are the equivalent of middle children who are often neglected by their parents. Our younger siblings are Gen Y born in 1985 to 2004 (age 14 to 33). They are a huge generation that’s approximately 83 million strong. Heck, they are so strong that they got to choose what they are called! Most of them preferring to be called a Millennials. My generation would rather be called something other than Gen X… but, nobody listens to us.
Today, while at an appointment I was casually flipping through several popular womens’ magazines. All of a sudden it hit me. No one cares about the Gen Xers. We rarely, if ever, are represented in women’s magazines. Here I am at the potential peak of my career with money to spend and marketers don’t seem to care. Almost every women’s ad targeted a Millennial or a Boomer. I looked at each ad and article gazing at the women represented on the pages and words used in the advertising. Nothing fit my lifestyle.
I’m a Mom who is happily married with two kids in grade school. I like to think I’m trendy, fun and still attractive. I like nice clothes and enjoy traveling and being active. My children are old enough that diapers are long in my past and teenage angst is more the norm. I don’t have health problems and Depends diapers or wrinkle serum is not something that I need. I’m also past the age of flaunting my figure in a race to attract the perfect man before my biological timer goes off.
Take a look at these ads:
This says “Entitled Millennial” to me. I have no care in the world, I have no kids yet.
Um, no. Definitely not someone in their 30s, 40s or 50s.
She is a stunningly attractive older woman, but definitely not my generation.
Really?!! Good on you lovely lady for having the courage to model incontinence undies, but I’m not there yet.
You have gorgeous hair. You also are about 20 years old.
Retired lady who used to fight fires (according to the ad), is now hocking vision care. I’m not retired. Nor do I need whatever vision care product she is hocking. Just saying.
You have a great smile. You also look like my teenage son’s girlfriend. This ad is not for me.
I don’t need to get my rosy tone back. My skin isn’t grey, nor is my hair. Won’t a little sunshine help? Where are my people?!
This pic says Millennial all over it. From the look in her eyes to the sexy open shirt. She looks like she is going after my job by some unethical means… if you know what I mean. However, the model is Jessica Chastain, who happens to be 41 years old. Yes, a Gen Xer. Shame on you, Jessica. Act your age.
This is who represents Gen X? Really?!!! What is that outfit she is wearing? No, this is so wrong. I wanted a representative of my generation that I could be proud of. This isn’t it. {I’m silently crying into my coffee.}
Thank you, Giorgio. She has smile lines. She might be a Gen Xer. She looks attractive and focused and at the top of her career. I choose you to be my sexy alter ego representative of Gen X.
Then we have this. This gal and guy could be a Gen X couple.. sans kids. (Maybe the kids are in another canoe?) The State of Missouri, you get me. I’m not all about business suits and expensive purfume. I’m into exploring and having a little adventure time with my man.
Now that I’ve got this off my chest, I doubt anyone will actually read this blog post. However, if you got this far and you are in the same boat as me, fellow Gen Xer, then comment below. No more marginalizing perhaps the most well adjusted, independent and intelligent generations out there. We are in the prime of our life and loving it. Hear us roar!