Xennials
The Oregon Trail Generation is a demographic cohort falling between Generation X and Millennials. Those born between 1979 and 1984 may identify with this generation. They are sometimes referenced as a subset of Millennials.
Terminology
The term Oregon Trail Generation appears to have been coined by Anna Garvey in her article The Oregon Trail Generation: Life Before And After Mainstream Tech.[1] Other terms, such as Generation Catalano[2], Xennials[3], and The Lucky Ones[4], were already coined and are referenced in her article. Due to Garvey's article receiving broader coverage, including republications on Huffington Post and Popsugar, Oregon Trail Generation is the term most often used when referencing this generation. The name is a reference to the Oregon Trail game that members of this generation became familiar with as children learning new technology.
Characteristics and Traits
Members of this generation share traits with both Generation X and Millennials.[5] They have a relationship with both analog and digital technology. While they may have listened to records and used a typewriter as children, they were the first group of students to have access to personal computers and the internet.
As they began to enter the workforce, their choices were impacted by the events of September 11 and the Iraq war. While Millennials had difficulty finding work after the financial collapse, those in the Oregon Trail Generation had already begun to establish careers. Due to the changes happening as they came of age, they are referred to as opportunistic entrepreneurs, restless climbers, and deferential compromisers.[6]
References
- ^ Garvey, Anna (21 April 2015). "The Oregon Trail Generation: Life Before And After Mainstream Tech". Social Media Week. Crowdcentric Media, LLC. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ Shafrir, Doree (24 October 2011). "Generation Catalano". Slate. The Slate Group. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ Stankorb, Sarah; Oelbaum, Jed (25 September 2014). "Reasonable People Disagree about the Post-Gen X, Pre-Millennial Generation". Good Magazine. GOOD Worldwide Inc. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ Singer, Susan (29 April 2014). "The Lucky Ones - Born In Between Gen X and Millenials". Susan Singer tv. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ Fogarty, Lisa (7 January 2016). "13 Signs you're stuck between Gen X & millennials". SheKnows. SheKnows Media. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
- ^ Heller, Nathan (30 May 2016). "The Big Uneasy: What's roiling the liberal-arts campus?". The New Yorker. Condé Nast. Retrieved 22 June 2016.