Generation X, commonly abbreviated to Gen X, is the generation born after the Western post–World War II baby boom ended. The term generally includes people born in the 1960s through the early ’80s, usually no later than 1981 or 1982.
Quoting a University of Michigan report about Generation X happiness, well-being and social integration: Generation X young adults are happy with their lives. Given the array of activities discussed in this report, it would be appropriate to think of Generation X as a busy generation, but they report that they are also happy with the way that their lives are developing. In 2009 and 2010, the LSAY asked each participant the following question: Thinking about all aspects of your life, how happy are you? If zero means that you are very unhappy and 10 means that you are very happy, please rate your happiness. The mean level of happiness was 7.5 and the median (middle score) was 8. Only four percent of Generation X young adults indicated a great deal of unhappiness (a score of three or lower). Twenty-nine percent of Generation X young adults were very happy with a score of 9 or 10 on the scale. Although these results describe most of the members of Generation X as active, balanced, and happy, we know that some members of this generation are less happy and suf ering in various ways. Some are unemployed or have been forced into jobs at lower levels than their education or expectations. Some have disabling illnesses and some are in prison.
More information on: http://www.sampler.isr.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/GenX_Report_Fall2011.pdf