They’re not Boomers, not Millennials, and definitely not Gen Z. Gen X often slips through the cracks of cultural conversation, but this so-called “forgotten generation” has shaped everything from music to technology. So what is Gen X, really, and why does it deserve more attention? Who Exactly Is Gen X? Generation X usually refers to people born between 1965 and 1980 . They came after the Baby Boomers and before Millennials. Some researchers stretch the years slightly, but that mid-1960s to early 1980s window is the sweet spot. Gen X is known for its independence. Many grew up with two working parents or in single-parent households, which meant spending a lot of time on their own. That’s where the nickname “latchkey kids” came from—children carrying house keys on a string around their necks, letting themselves in after school. What Shaped Gen X? The world looked very different during their childhood and teen years: The Cold War loomed in the background. MTV launched in 1...