Generation X uncovers the challenging socio-political landscape of the United States. Frequently referred to as the “Trumpiest generation,” they contend with an unprecedented wave of disillusionment and radicalization. As workers aged 45 to 65 move into their productive middle years, they have tough hurdles ahead. Our biggest obstacles are the economic instability the entertainers face and the dramatic cultural changes profoundly impacting their work. In recent years, researchers have focused on the ways that conspiracy theories and disinformation spread among this demographic. The Smidge project is one example of this kind of study, which seeks to understand their unique vulnerabilities and potential pathways to deradicalization.
Generation Xers are the most likely of any age group to call themselves Republicans. This trend speaks to a deep political and cultural undercurrent that is likely rooted in a sense of loss and marginalization in the face of a very changing world. Columnist Gaby Hinsliff, writing in The Guardian, points to a new bitterness creeping into this generation’s mindset. They’re afraid of being marginalized and forgotten in a world that often values younger perspectives above all else. That feeling of being out to pasture can push them to more radical political extremes.
Our Smidge project continues to investigate the behaviors and strategies used to promote conspiracy theories and misinformation online. They are interested in targeting one group, specifically 45-65. Its overarching purpose is to find out what works best when it comes to deradicalizing this elusive demographic. Our continuing study uncovers just how external pressures such as economic uncertainty and job loss are affecting Gen Xers’ mental health. Moreover, these factors are influencing their partisan alignment in profound ways.
The longer the world goes without realizing this, the more Gen Xers will find themselves on the wrong end of the unintended consequences of being ignored. For most, finding a new job would be difficult if they are made redundant, increasing the pressure and mental concern about their financial future. On top of that, as their children grow up and move out, they can find themselves facing more intense marital woes and loneliness. These factors all lead to a cumulative feeling of hopelessness and rage that breeds political radicalization.
Hinsliff argues that societal attitudes toward Gen Xers are unapologetically harsh, with people calling them stuck in the past if they express adverse views. This generational condescension can be demoralizing. Indeed, recent polling indicates that just 19% of British adults in their fifties voted for Reform UK in the most recent general election. According to YouGov data, a third of 50-64 year old respondents would still consider giving their votes to the party. This disconnect illustrates the internal conflicts faced by this generation as they attempt to navigate their identity within a changing political landscape.
Yet as the cultural legacy of Gen X fades, so too does their influence. Once hailed as the “Cool Britannia” generation for giving Tony Blair a landslide victory, that seems like a long time ago. This pivot from being cultural influencers to participating in the political process has been a bit rocky. Even Lord Wes Streeting, the new health secretary, has started to express alarm over an increasingly racist undercurrent. Chief among them, he discusses all the insidious trends that indicate it’s becoming socially acceptable once more. This sudden change places an additional burden on ethnic minority NHS colleagues. Now they’re dealing with a tsunami of racist hate speech, creating an even more toxic environment for Gen Xers.
In voicing their upset at a world that is moving on without them, many of the above Gen Xers have been laughed at. Engagement in these public forums often uncovers a patronizing and hostile attitude towards the public’s concerns. At one Aldi checkout, an elderly man declared, “She’s taking all our money.” His throwaway line captured the mood of disenfranchisement experienced by his entire generation. These kinds of comments not only highlight the socio-economic struggles that rural communities are facing, but point to a larger cultural divide.
As Gen X wrestles with these diverse and intersecting issues, the complexity of their position in society becomes clear. They are stuck between a golden age past when they felt important and a future that is looking more and more bleak. Their feelings of inadequacy drive them as they watch the next generation passing them by. As a result of their frustrations, so many are turning to more extreme political ideologies in order to deal with these issues.