Latest news with #GenXer
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Americans Born in These Years Could Be Generation 'Cuspers'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Categorizing people into generations is a useful way of referring to those born during a span of around 15 to 20 years. It allows researchers to observe changes over time, historical markers, and social attitudes for each new cohort. However, defining the generations isn't an exact science, and there is some debate about when the cutoff occurs for each one. That is often where we find the so-called "cuspers"—people who can identify with two different generations. Perhaps you were born in 1996, which was the last year of millennials, but have more in common with Generation Z (people born between 1997 and 2012). Or maybe you are a Generation Xer (people born between 1965 and 1980) but feel like more of a baby boomer as you are at the older end of the scale. It is the idea of feeling like you fit into both and neither generations at the same time. Licensed psychologist and healthcare-ethics consultant Dr. Jenny Shields told Newsweek that many cuspers face life with an experience of "being in between." Stock image: A group of people huddles together, looking down at the camera. Stock image: A group of people huddles together, looking down at the camera. Kar-Tr/Getty Images This can be complicated as it often detracts from any real sense of identity. "You're formed in the overlap between two cultural moments. You recognize both, speak the language of both, but may not feel fully at home in either," Shields said. Just like with generations, the cusper years are up for debate. Insights from BridgeWorks suggests that someone born in 1965 would technically be a Gen Xer, but they could associate more with boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964). Though they wouldn't remember the early years of the Vietnam War, they would likely remember historical moments such as Watergate in 1972. Indeed, an elder millennial born in 1981 or 1982 will remember the days of dial-up internet and a time before cellphones were glued to our hands. Skip to the mid-1990s and younger millennials might not recall any of that, meaning their elder counterparts probably feel more at home with Gen X. This was also highlighted in a Reddit post on the r/generationology thread. The poster (who has since deleted their account) suggested that the cusp years for the Silent Generation (people born between 1928 and 1945) to boomers are likely between 1940 and 1945. For boomers and Gen X, the cusp would possibly be around 1962 to 1966, according to the Reddit user. As for Gen X and millennials, it is suggested that the cusp years are 1979 to 1983. While 1984 could be a cusp year in some arguments, the poster adds that 1985 onward is "strictly millennial." The lines get a bit more blurred between millennials and Gen Z, but arguably the cuspers are born between 1995 and 2002. Stock image: A group of women of differing ages laugh with one another. Stock image: A group of women of differing ages laugh with one is partly this reason that Shields believes cuspers frequently carry a sense of generational impostor syndrome. "They understand the tone and references of their generation, but they don't feel it," Shields said. "That can leave people feeling a little disoriented, especially in moments when others are rallying around generational identity as a shorthand for belonging." She continued: "Cuspers often learn to code-switch between values, norms, and worldviews that don't always align. That makes them unusually observant and socially flexible—but it can also leave them more prone to feeling like outsiders." So, while we might want the generations to fit into neat definitions, that isn't necessarily how it goes. Generations have to be fluid and recognize individual experiences. There is so much more that helps shape a person, rather than just the year on their birth certificate. Shields told Newsweek: "Generational identity isn't just a demographic label—it's a story. It's shaped by what was happening when you were coming of age. Cuspers are raised during times of cultural transition, and that gets baked into how they move through the world."
Business Insider
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Americans with tariff anxieties are skipping the salon for DIY beauty treatments
From boba tea to anti-depressants, prices are anticipated to rise under Trump's tariff policies and Americans are already starting to cut back on spending. Forty-two percent of typical salon patrons said they are going less in the last six months in favor of DIY treatments at home, while 24% have given up the services entirely, per a report published on May 13 by the consumer analytics platform CivicScience. The polling shows that habits differ by age, with Gen Zers most likely to visit salons less frequently and millennials and Gen Xer more likely to have stopped completely. CivicScience draws its data from polling internet users across third party websites, social media and mobile apps. Fifty percent of those who used at-home beauty products — like DIY beauty kit subscriptions with press-on nails and at-home hair coloring products — cited cost-saving measures as the reason for their purchases, per CivicScience's survey. Additionally, over half of respondents indicated that they had not purchased beauty products in the past three months. The CivicScience report also noted that YouTube and TikTok have been educational resources for people to learn make-up techniques and how to create beauty products at home. Though, it isn't clear whether people are relying on online tutorials for beauty tips as a direct result of the tariffs. The beauty industry is anticipated to continue to grow by the billions over the following years. Between from 2023 to 2028, revenue is forecasted to increase by 6% in North America, per McKinsey's data forecast.
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Gen Xer Has Crucial Message for Young Women About What Aging Looks Like
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Generation X woman wants to show young women what it actually looks like to age, as she told Newsweek that society has lost sight of what it means to get older naturally. Licensed aesthetician and content creator Claudia Fabian shared a video on Instagram (@thebeautydebut) in which she said that many people have "forgotten what an aging face looks like." Indeed, the 57-year-old expressed her regret that younger generations, particularly women, resort to cosmetic procedures to conceal any signs of aging. The Gen Xer (people born between 1965 and 1980) wants to show people that aging isn't something to dread or fear. It is simply a part of life, and Fabian told Newsweek that she hopes to show people that your "value doesn't change with age." During the clip, Fabian, from Las Vegas, Nevada, proudly showed off the changes in her appearance as she has gotten older. She certainly doesn't shy away from aging, as she says it means you're getting a "full life experience." Claudia Fabian, 57, explains why younger people have forgotten what it looks like to age. Claudia Fabian, 57, explains why younger people have forgotten what it looks like to age. @thebeautydebut / Instagram Fabian said: "I think that beauty marketing has always perpetuated that youth is the goal, and our society has enforced this by an ageist double standard. Men are allowed to age, but women are not. Women have a tremendous pressure to stay 25 forever. "I think we make too big of a deal out of it. Aging is neither good or bad—it just is. At 57, I don't love everything about getting older, but then again, I didn't love everything about being young," she continued. While Fabian said people of all ages have forgotten what it is to age, it seems more prolific among younger generations. They've grown up in a technological era in which social media is ever-present, and Fabian added that this has normalized procedures including fillers and Botox. In 2023, an estimated 25.4 million minimally invasive cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S., according to Statista. Botox, which is the least-expensive nonsurgical treatment, was the most prevalent, with over 9.4 million procedures. But with more Gen X influencers like herself, Fabian hopes to counter that narrative. "Women are shamed if they get cosmetic procedures, and shamed when they don't. It's a no-win situation. Now, if we see an over-40 beauty creator, we just assume she's been 'fixed' in some way," Fabian said. She continued: "Although that's changing with many over-40 beauty creators who are taking up space and taking the stigma out of aging. There shouldn't be shame in aging—not all of us are trying to look 30." After sharing her message on social media, the Instagram video went viral with over 287,000 views and more than 15,600 likes at the time of writing. If people gain anything from her video, Fabian said she hopes they'll pause for a moment and think about any "internalized ageist thoughts" they might have. They shouldn't be afraid of getting older, and they certainly shouldn't let that impact the choices they make. Fabian regularly shares videos on social media that aim to inspire confidence in women of all ages, particularly those over 50. She said: "I believe aging allows you to become the best version of yourself. Each decade gives us gifts, and I choose to celebrate and see the beauty of this stage in life. I also want women, especially younger women, to know that they can choose to simply age in peace." With over 1,200 comments on the viral video so far, many Instagram users hailed Fabian for offering such a positive perspective. One comment reads: "You are such an inspiration to all women!" Another person wrote: "We forget that aging is a gift." A third Instagram user replied: "Embracing self is so beautiful and powerful." Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
Business Insider
04-05-2025
- General
- Business Insider
I'm no longer writing thank-you notes, and I'm not making my kids do it, either
I realized that I've always written thank-you notes from a place of guilt. I recently decided to stop writing them, and I'm not making my kids write them, either. We express our gratitude in other ways. My daughter and I were sitting at the kitchen table one Saturday afternoon after soccer with a stack of thank-you cards, an address spreadsheet, and a list of gifts she received for her birthday. We were two months late writing them, which already felt wrong. She was frustrated, and I didn't want her to have to do it, either. Her questioning eyes looked up at me, and she asked, "Why do I have to do this again?" With no good answer, that moment spotlighted my own angst about writing thank-you cards. I learned they were important at a young age, something you had to do, but the rules around them felt forced and arbitrary: that you had exactly one month to write a thank-you note, for example, or that you couldn't cash a check until you'd sent a thank-you card. Over the years, especially as a parent, I've struggled with this etiquette and have finally decided not to participate anymore, or make my kids participate, either. It feels liberating. I learned to write thank-you notes from my parents As a Gen Xer, shedding the habits of our boomer parents can be hard. There is an undeniable " generational tension" that many of us feel, but we still participate in these practices because of the way we were raised. I've noticed that I write these cards from a place of "should," and even a place of shame, as these were my family's beliefs. It's an obligation that I'd previously pushed on my two kids, but I'm now rethinking this tradition. By the time I'm writing my thank-you note, I've said thank you a least a couple of times: in person when I open the gift, and usually in a phone call or a text to follow up. It makes me wonder: how many times do we have to say thank you? When is enough? We can be just as thankful without the expectation of the handwritten note. I remember being two weeks postpartum, sleep-deprived and half-human, writing thank-you notes to each person who brought meals to our home. Today, this memory makes me angry, as I wasn't inspired by deep appreciation, but by guilt. I wish I could have focused on my newborn and not on writing notes. I have friends who have family members who care about this etiquette, inquiring when a thank-you card will arrive or why it's late. I've had people in my life cherish the notes I've written, and even go so far as to write me a thank-you card in response to my nice thank-you card! And I secretly love it when someone says writing one isn't necessary. What a relief. The range of attitudes is conflicting and confusing. There are other ways to express gratitude Saying thank you can take many forms and shouldn't be prescriptive. There's so much going on in the world that the concept of writing these notes feels outdated to me, even unnecessary. So, yes, I'm pushing back on a standard I don't agree with. I think we should use our precious time and energy to say thank you in whatever way works best for us and our relationships. Writing a card is great — but so is a call, an email, a video, or a text. We can give thanks in any sincere and meaningful form. I might still write a very occasional note if I feel moved to do so. I might also take a cue from my daughter and make a piece of art and send it as a symbol of my appreciation. The piece of paper doesn't seem as important as expressing our gratitude to the gift-giver.
Vogue
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Hear Me Out: What If Gen Xers Are Actually the Cool Ones?
I am nine years old and my mother—in her mid-20s at the time—is vacuuming the living room while 'My Favourite Game' by the Cardigans plays on full blast. With each drum thwack she hits another corner with the power nozzle, bare feet padding across the carpet in low-rise jeans, me watching deadpan from the sofa. I will always associate that song with this memory. Sunlight splashing through the open window; those distorted vocals, turned up to full; and the big, blocky CD player, with speakers that make your hands shake if you touch them. Though I was born in the '90s—a millennial—I was raised by a dyed-in-the-wool Gen Xer, and was therefore spoonfed Gen-X culture from an early age. Our CD rack was full of '90s bands: Pixies, PJ Harvey, Placebo. The films I later became obsessed with were all of this era: Girl, Interrupted; Fallen Angels; Run Lola Run; Hackers. By the time I got into Bret Easton Ellis, Elizabeth Wurtzel's Prozac Nation, and Irvine Welsh—all Gen-X writers, with Gen-X sensibilities—something had become abundantly clear. I had been born 15 years or so too late. And now I was destined for a life of Instagram and Asos packages, as opposed to being a '90s slacker making mixtapes and hating on my corporate job. Over the past few years, generational warfare has only ramped up—so much so that it's become boring to even reference: Gen Z hating on millennials for being cringe, millennials hating on Gen Z for being puritanical, and everyone hating on boomers for being, well, boomers. But Gen X—born somewhere between 1965 and 1980—has been largely forgotten about (although even saying that has become a cliché of sorts). Alongside all of this finger-pointing among the generations are claims that, actually, we were the cool ones—no, it was me! But what if it's none of us? What if the cool ones are actually those unbothered people that nobody talks about?
