How does Generation X fare in the 21st century?

About half the educated women from Generation X, the term once used to describe the new generation, are childless, according to American research.

Born between 1965 and 1978, Generation X was first used in a novel written by Douglas Coupland, “Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture.”

The idea quickly spread to describe those born in economic prosperity with encouragement for further education. They also were typically thought to have strong personalities.

New York-based think thank the Centre for Work-Life Policy researched some 3,000 Generation X graduates and found that about 43 percent of women with college degrees had no offspring. About 75 percent, however, were living with partners.

The research assumed that one of the reasons was that Generation X were involved in feminist movements and tried to overcome a male-dominated environment.

This became evident when 91 percent of women replied they were part of a dual-career family, where 19 percent earned more than their spouses.

By Kang Yoon-seung
(koreacolin@hanmail.net)
Intern reporter