May 30, 2025 l Manila Times
Two major publications writing about Generation X at the same time? That’s unusual.
This year, The Economist and The New York Times both featured Gen X — my generation — for different but connected reasons. The Economist, in its May 8 article, “Why Gen X Is the Real Loser Generation,” depicts a stark financial reality.
Meanwhile, The New York Times, in its March 28 feature, “Gen X and the Creative Work That Defined a Generation,” takes a more reflective and emotional look back.
Reading these articles felt personal. The Economist breaks down the hard facts: Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, was dealt a tough hand more than once. We missed out on the boomers’ generous pensions, suffered through the dot-com crash and the 2008 financial crisis, and now struggle with inflation and rising costs.
The median Gen Xer holds less retirement wealth than boomers did at the same age — and even less than some older millennials. We grew up with layoffs, outsourcing and economic uncertainty, and now, as we reach our 50s, we face aging parents, college bills and jobs that change faster than ever.
Retirement feels out of reach. Instead, many of us keep grinding.
Yet the Times article reminds me what else we brought to the world. Gen X made art, music, writing and films that were raw, honest and often strange. We didn’t chase fame or fortune. We made zines, started indie bands, built blogs and ran small presses.
Our work wasn’t polished or mainstream — it was personal and defiant. But as the article points out, much of that creative energy has been forgotten or repackaged by younger generations who treat it like novelty. As one Gen X filmmaker said, “We were punk without the marketing.”
That line hit close to home. We never sought the spotlight, and now it feels like we’re being written out of the story entirely. Too old to be trendy, too financially stretched to coast and now often working under bosses who think in social media trends and apps we barely understand.
It feels like a slow fade. I know it because I live it. Push for the changes.
But fading away doesn’t have to be the story. If Gen X wants to stay relevant, we need to speak up louder than we have. First, we have to raise our voices about the economic struggles we face. We’re a powerful voting group now, and issues like retirement security, health care and age discrimination won’t fix themselves. No one else will fight this fight for us. We have to push for the changes we need.
Second, staying relevant means staying curious. Yes, the pace of technology is exhausting. But we were the first generation to grow up with digital tech — we lived through dial-up modems, floppy disks and early web pages. That means we can learn new tools, new platforms and even artificial intelligence. I’ve had to remind myself of that when it felt overwhelming. Every time I try something new, I realize we were early adopters long before it became trendy.
We should also hold on to what we’ve built — and share it. Our generation made things that mattered, even if they weren’t big or flashy. That kind of work is still needed. You don’t have to go viral to be valuable. Write the stories only you can tell. Start that podcast or blog you’ve been thinking about. Mentor someone younger. Pass on the knowledge before it’s lost.
And, finally, we need to lean on each other more. Gen X grew up as latchkey kids, taught to be independent and self-reliant. But independence can sometimes turn into isolation. It’s time to reconnect with each other — whether through professional groups, alumni networks, or simple chats with old friends. Burnout is easier to handle when you’re not alone.
Reading the articles didn’t leave me feeling defeated. Instead, I felt challenged. Not by the media, but by that quiet part of myself that sometimes just wants to coast, to hope things get easier without trying. But they won’t. Change only happens when we act.
Gen X still has plenty to offer. We just have to make sure we don’t disappear quietly. We’re not done yet. Not by a long shot.
***The views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as FINEX. For comments, email rey.lugtu@hungryworkhorse.com. Photo is from Pinterest.