gen x grows antsy, discontent at work despite recession

According to an article written by Martha Irvine, a reporter with the Associated Press (Chicago), Gen X is growing antsy and discontent in their jobs. This story has been told 100 times, but for some reason, I'm always surprised to see it get ink again. There is at least one major news story about this every month. The bullet points are all the same.

• Boomers aren't retiring and making way for Gen X.
• Gen X is weary of responsibility without authority.
• Gen X has lost itself in an overwhelming desire for work-life balance.
• "Everyone" seems to be talking about Gen Y taking the place of Boomers.
• And, Gen X keeps asking, What about me?

Honestly, I don't think Generation X has anything to worry about. Companies are going to cut middle management longterm to save money, just like they did in the 1990s. I'm not sure middle management wasn't created to appease Boomers and Xers anyway. Boomers are aging and they are going to retire. And, even if most of them stay in the workforce another 10 years or more, who cares? As long as they are present, the work-life balance Gen X wants is more easily achieved. At any rate, the day will come, sooner or later, when the majority of Boomers will retire. When this happens, Gen Y is NOT going to leap-frog Gen X. It's just not going to happen anymore than Gen X leap-frogged Boomers. The prevailing culture of the American workforce just won't support that. Lieutenants don't become brigadier generals overnight, but colonels do. And, majors become colonels and so forth and so on.

If I'm wrong, I'll be the first to say so and I'll even buy you a rootbeer float. Gen X needs to take it easy, and above all, don't lose the psychological battle. We are a generation of experience and promise. I believe it! We have so much to offer our employers and employees. I continue to believe the best is yet to be for Generation X.