Language
Country/Area
No result found
Xennials: What's the story behind the birth of this mysterious generation?
In the origins of sociology, the term Xennials gradually emerged to describe the micro-generation born in the early 1980s, and this generation is located between the traditional Generation X and Millennials. This special era gives Xennials the unique characteristics of both an analogue growth background and a digital adult life, making them different from the generations before and after them.
Xennials have been described as "a bridge between the apathy of Generation X and the naive optimism of Millennials."
According to the definitions of researchers and popular media, the age range of Xennials is usually between 1977 and 1983, but some scholars even extend the range to earlier or later years. In 2020, the word was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary, which defines Xennials as “a group of people born between the end of Generation X and the beginning of Millennials.” This group of people is generally considered to possess the characteristics and characteristics of both generations .
Definition of terms and years
Xennials is a combination of the words "Generation X" and "Millennials". The term was proposed by writer Sarah Stankorb and first appeared in two articles in GOOD magazine. The definition of Xennials has since been shared across multiple platforms, and in 2017, Merriam-Webster even included it in its "Words We're Watching" section. In the dictionary, Xennials are alternatively defined as "those young people born in the late 1970s and early 1980s."
Characteristics and characteristics
Many people born during this transitional period are not actually Generation X or Millennials, but possess characteristics of both generations. According to research from the Antwerp University of Technology, people of different generations are not exactly alike in their traits, especially in the workplace. Research shows that people born during the transition period may have overlapping characteristics from both generations, a concept known as "generational ambiguity."
Xennials are considered micro-generations with their own collective personality, and their life experiences help shape this generation’s unique identity.
From work experience, Xennials often face challenges related to the Great Depression and have experienced major historical events such as 9/11 and the Iraq War. These shared experiences give them a unique generational perspective.
Relationship with digital technology
Xennials have become so-called "digital immigrants" because most of them were not exposed to digital information and communication technologies (ICT) during school. However, as they enter adulthood, they are often relatively comfortable using digital technology. This was mentioned in the conversations of most of the interviewees.
The life of Xennials is both analogous and simple, but also incorporates the vitality of the digital age, allowing them to form a unique identity in their lifestyle and interpersonal relationships.
Xennials date in a very different way than the current social media generation, according to one sociologist’s observation. In an era without the assistance of social media, they relied on traditional phone calls for dating, which made their social model more humane and easier to form deeper relationships.
The social impact of this generation
For Xennials, their youth is accompanied by cultural evolution, such as popular film and television productions and music styles. In the era before the popularity of the Internet, many Xennials experienced the "Landslide Generation" life, which made them play a pivotal role in the construction of culture and social psychology.
This generation is not just a passive cultural consumer, they often show an active side in self-expression and cultural creation.
Finally, the characteristics of this generation make it a micro-generation worth paying attention to. As generational divisions are blurred and redefined in modern society, could Xennials be the key to our understanding of larger generational boundaries?
