Week 3 EOC; My Demographics

Generation X, is defined by, “The 45 million people born between 1965 and 1976 in the “birth dearth” following the baby boom.(Marketing: An Introduction Armstrong & Kotler). This are my people. To truly understand Gen Xers are defined by the following, “defined as much by their shared experiences as by their age. Increasing parental divorce rates and higher employment for their mothers made them the first generation of latchkey kids. Although they seek success, they are less materialistic; they prize experience, not acquisition. For many of the Gen Xers that are parents, family comes first—both children and their aging parents—and career second (Marketing: An Introduction Armstrong & Kotler). I have to admit I hit almost every criteria in this statement. My wife and I (both Gen Xers) grew up on opposite sides of the country but still share so many experiences it’s scary.  As far as divorce, I was fortunate to have my parents stay married, only to separated by death. I didn’t know as a child that I was a latchkey kid to many years later as an adult. I thought caring for myself was something that “big boys” did. I have never been materialistic. I am not sure if that is a product of my generation or my parents practical sensibilities, but it exist. Experience has always been key. My younger friends remark to me all the time, “what haven’t you done”. I have never had much, but to be honest, things always seemed like more trouble than they were worth. Being a good son, has always been very important to me. At times more important than my own happiness. As I watched my mother pass away last year the first thought that came to my head was, taking care my father.