'Xennials' were born in the early 80s - here are all the ways they're different from the millennials they were supposed to be

Advertisement
'Xennials' were born in the early 80s - here are all the ways they're different from the millennials they were supposed to be

the wonder years reunion

ABC

Oregon Trail was a big hit when they were kids.

Advertisement
  • Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996.
  • Xennials are a "microgeneration" of people who were born between 1977 and 1985.
  • There are meaningful differences between their lives. For example, Xennials were already in the workforce when the recession hit, while many millennials were just graduating college.


If you were born between the years 1977 and 1985, you're officially a member of the "micro-generation" known as Xennials.

The term was coined by Sarah Stankorb in a 2014 Good magazine article, to describe a group that straddles Generation X - born between 1965 and 1980 - and millennials - born between 1981 and 1996, according to the Pew Research Center.

Xennials, according to Stankorb and the many similar stories that followed, grew up watching "My So-Called Life" and popping cassettes into the stereo, but transitioned pretty seamlessly to using smartphones and social media.

Some people call them the "Oregon Trail generation," after the once-popular computer game, or "Generation Catalano," after Jared Leto's character in "My So-Called Life."

Advertisement

Below, we've outlined some of the biggest differences between Xennials and their slightly younger siblings, millennials.

{{}}

Xennials were already in the workforce when the recession hit. Many Millennials, however, were just graduating college and looking for jobs. Interestingly, some research suggests that Xennials may have been hit hardest by the recession, because of a combination of student loan debt, job losses, and other factors.

Xennials were already in the workforce when the recession hit. Many Millennials, however, were just graduating college and looking for jobs. Interestingly, some research suggests that Xennials may have been hit hardest by the recession, because of a combination of student loan debt, job losses, and other factors.

Sources: GOOD Magazine and CityLab

Many Xennials made it through their childhood and teen years without social media — no Facebook or even MySpace. Many millennials, on the other hand, had MySpace and Facebook accounts before entering college.

Many Xennials made it through their childhood and teen years without social media — no Facebook or even MySpace. Many millennials, on the other hand, had MySpace and Facebook accounts before entering college.

Source: Social Media Week

Advertisement

On September 11, 2001, Xennials were in their teens and 20s; millennials were much younger. As one writer said of Xennials, "much of our childhoods were spared the dark shadow cast by tragedy and war," while millennials were somewhat shaken out of their innocence.

On September 11, 2001, Xennials were in their teens and 20s; millennials were much younger. As one writer said of Xennials, "much of our childhoods were spared the dark shadow cast by tragedy and war," while millennials were somewhat shaken out of their innocence.

Source: GOOD Magazine

Xennials generally didn't get cell phones until their 20s. As kids, they used pay phones and called friends' landlines — meaning they had to talk to the friends' parents first. But some millennials were given cell phones as kids or teens.

Xennials generally didn't get cell phones until their 20s. As kids, they used pay phones and called friends' landlines — meaning they had to talk to the friends' parents first. But some millennials were given cell phones as kids or teens.

Sources: GOOD Magazine and Social Media Week

Advertisement

Overall, Xennials' parents were more relaxed than millennials' helicopter parents. One writer characterized the helicopter parenting style as "achievement-obsessed upper-middle class parents who cared so much about their children's comfortable excellence that they did everything they could to ensure it."

Overall, Xennials' parents were more relaxed than millennials' helicopter parents. One writer characterized the helicopter parenting style as "achievement-obsessed upper-middle class parents who cared so much about their children's comfortable excellence that they did everything they could to ensure it."

Sources: GOOD Magazine and Refinery29

Xennials aren't especially pessimistic, but they aren't as optimistic and confident as millennials tend to be. A 2016 report found that millennials were more optimistic about the future than previous generations of young people.

Xennials aren't especially pessimistic, but they aren't as optimistic and confident as millennials tend to be. A 2016 report found that millennials were more optimistic about the future than previous generations of young people.

Sources: GOOD Magazine and Business Insider

Advertisement
Next StoryMedia mogul Tina Brown on what she learned transforming Vanity Fair and the New Yorker, enduring a failed partnership with Harvey Weinstein, and what the #MeToo movement is missing