Thaindian News

Washington, Oct 26 (IANS) Long branded as a bunch of edgy, angst-ridden underachievers, members of Generation X are actually leading quite active, enriching and happy lives, so says a new study.

“They are active in their communities, mainly satisfied with their jobs, and able to balance work, family, and leisure,” said study author and political scientist Jon Miller from the University of Michigan (UM).

Miller directs the Longitudinal Study of American Youth at the UM Institute for Social Research which includes responses from approximately 4,000 Gen Xers — born between 1961 and 1981.

“The 84 million Americans in this generation between the age of 30 and 50 are the parents of today’s school-aged children,” Miller said, according to a Michigan statement.

“And over the next two or three decades, members of Generation X will lead the nation in the White House and Congress. So it’s important to understand their values, history, current challenges and future goals,” he added.

Two-thirds of Generation X adults are married and 71 percent have children at home. Three-quarters of the parents of elementary school children say they help their children with homework, with 43 percent providing five or more hours of homework help each week.

Thirty percent of Generation X adults are active members of professional, business or union organisations, and one in three is an active member of a church or religious organisation.

Ninety-five percent talk on the phone at least once a week with friends or family, and 29 percent say they do so at least once a day.

“In sociologist Robert Putnam’s influential book “Bowling Alone”, he argued that Americans were increasingly isolated socially,” Miller said. “But this data indicates that Generation X members are not bowling alone.”

“Although they may be less likely to join community-based luncheon clubs, they have extensive social, occupational and community networks. They are active participants in parent-teacher organisations, local youth sports clubs, book clubs and other community organisations,” Miller added.