Graduating from a prestigious college and landing a dream job may be the modern vision of the American Dream among youths today, but a new study conducted by the Center for Work-Life Policy reveals that getting ahead is a challenge due to the failure of Baby Boomers to give up their high level jobs to the generation behind them. With a shortage of jobs in the present economy, being able to get ahead would mean better paying jobs for a generation – Generation X – that now faces deep debt in addition to other financial struggles, such as mortgages and car payments.
The phrase Generation X was coined by Douglas Coupland in a 1991 novel about the generation following the Baby Boomers that appeared directionless due to the population growth and increasing competition in the workplace. While the workplace values of Generation X have differed from those of the Baby Boomers – the former prefers more flexible hours in order to balance work and family – most employers have not been able to wage expectations due to the economy and the decrease in jobs.
One thing that makes Generation X unique in the workplace is that those who were surveyed for the study were discovered to prefer setting their own hours, be their own bosses, and have an entrepreneurial spirit, even though 43 percent women, and 32 percent men are childless. Being able to have extra time for themselves is important for Generation X so that they could develop further skills and abilities that might open doors to self employment. Being self employed is a dream for many Americans, and with the number of Baby Boomers who insist on remaining in the workforce instead of retiring, it may be the only option for Generation Xers.
Despite the troubles in the workplace that members of Generation X faces, they remain ambitious and hard working, wanting to improve their lot in life, going so far as to create jobs for themselves. Generation X has the creativity to come up with jobs that will make enough money to pay the bills and the tuition loans and allow them to spend time with their families.
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