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Demographic Profile: Get to Know Generation-X
By chris | July 5, 2008
Generation X (Baby Busters)
- Years they were born: 1965-1979
- Number in the segment: 66 Million (21% of US population)
- Key Characteristics: Balanced, Self-reliant, Skeptical, Entrepreneurial, Savvy, and Efficient
Generation-X came of age in the shadow of the Baby Boomers. Also called the Baby Busters, this generation is much smaller than other generational cohorts in the United States. The smallness of their numbers is due in part because in the late 1960’s and 1970’s (when they were being conceived) there was a widely held belief that overpopulation was ruining the planet (much on the same scale as global warming is the planetary concern of today), also the expanded use of the birth control pill (made available since 1960) contributed to the fact that fewer babies were being born during the years Busters were being born.
Throughout the seventies and early eighties divorce became more common in the USA with nearly half of all marriages ending in divorce. This generation was the children of these divorcées. They became a generation of “latch-key kids” who learned to become self-reliant taking care of themselves after school until their working parents came home from work.
Growing up in divorced or blended homes also caused the generation to seek to prioritize the balance of work and family when they reached adulthood. Busters seek the right balance in life, being careful to not neglect their families while working for organizations or causes that employ them.
For the Generation-X, the perspective on life is not as optimistic as the generations before or after them. They tend to feel that the economy never seems to have given them a break because they have had to struggle and delay their opportunities to be leaders or attain prominence in the working world. Further exacerbating the perception is the unwillingness of the Baby Boomers to yield room for their generation inside the organizations where they have established predominance.
Growing up seeing the high profile failings of leaders in positions of authority in everything from politics (Watergate), to business (Enron), to religion (PTL Scandal) has made this generation cynical when thinking about leaders. Busters are not impressed with credentials and position. It has been said this is a generation that doesn’t believe in heroes. To gain credibility with the Buster, one has to demonstrate competence, show results, and lead a balanced personal life.
Because opportunities have not been forthcoming for them, Generation-X has become entrepreneurial in their outlook, seeking to build their own opportunities. As pragmatists, they want to see results at the bottom line. But they envision a working world where people matter more than organizations and they will not commit themselves without reserve to any organization.
The Gen-X contribution to present day society includes family-friendly concepts such as popularizing home schooling, paid maternity leave, and stay-at-home fathers. Busters are known for their creative workspace environments with space to play games, change scenery, and have private conversations. Generation-X brought the world Google, Yahoo, Wikipedia, and eBay.
Ministering to Generation X
- “Show them respect!” they have been told all their lives they are “slackers” who don’t have what it takes. Take them seriously please!
- “Get real” with them! They like leaders who are genuine, honest people who are not impressed with their position. Take a self-effacing approach with them.
- Help them experience life balance! Don’t overload them with church programs they value their family time.
- Don’t waste their time! Canned presentations, unnecessary meetings, junk mail and spam turn them off!
- Try some new things! Don’t assume old programs that used to work will work with Gen-X, the last thing they want to do is prop up some old out-of-date system. They are not denomination brand loyal-deal with it!
- Diversify! Generation X is very open to leaders who have racial or ethnic backgrounds that are different from them. Make your church a place for all races and nationalities. And show it by recruiting leaders from all kinds of people.
- Empower them to make decisions! Too many ministries want them to sign up for what the Boomers decide to do; they don’t like the same things as Boomers.
- Get Glocal! They have a growing sense of how Global issues impact them. “Think Global, Act Local” with them. There are plenty of problems that need fixing. Gen-X feel they have been saddled with the world’s problems thanks to their indulgent fore bearers–show you care too!
- No cheesy stuff please! Programs and slogans are not likely to motivate them. Too much promotion turns them off. They have a finely-tuned and highly sensitive “hype radar” so don’t blow any smoke!
- Use quality production in video and design! X’ers do appreciate competence. What you do should not look thrown together and sloppy.
- Transparency with money and power! Gen-X are not great givers of money because they fear its abuse. Make sure you keep them in the loop with how money is used. Staff ministry leaders who receive a lot of perks really turn them off! (Do you really need those cuff links anyway?)
- Give them great experiences! Generation-X prefers great experiences over acquiring great material wealth. Frankly, they couldn’t care less if your church grows bigger! They are more interested in impact than income in ministry. Give them something hands-on to do where they can make a difference. They’ll jump on increasing your church’s community influence, not so much your building’s size!
- Don’t pressure them or become demanding! Gen-X believes in accountability, but they have trouble putting faith in the integrity of others. If you put too much pressure on them to do something, they will avoid you, or find a work-around you. Gen-X finds it hard to commit to any organization because they have such a low view of institutions and leaders.
- Let them be entrepreneurs! They are more likely to trust themselves than trust others. Don’t take it personally; let them take matters into their own hands. (One of the reasons church planting is so popular with them is too many Boomers are hogging the spotlight and running things into the ditch with ineffective programs at established churches!)
Further Reading
Topics: Demographics, Uncategorized |