Generation X Research Paper

BACKGROUND

Generation X, a term coined by novelist Douglas Coupland, refers to the over 44 million people born between 1965 and 1975. This group has been stereotyped by some as unfocused, without ambition, and underachieving. But proponents credit Generation Xers with global awareness and computer skills that should serve them well in today’s workplace. Others reject the whole notion that a Generation X exists at all.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THIS CALL NUMBER

305.2350

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

Mass media and youth—United States

Popular culture—United States

Youth movement

Young adults

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Facts on File

Mitchell, Susan. The Official Guide to the Generations, 1995.

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

America Online

CompuServe
Dialog

Internet

Prodigy

KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Generation X

Post–Baby Boom generation

Youth

VIDEOTAPE ON THIS TOPIC

Where Is My Future? Generation X. Filmakers Library, 1995.

FICTION BOOKS RELATING TO TOPIC

Coupland, Douglas. Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, 1991.

Wexler, Michael, and John Hulme, ed. Voices of the Xiled: A Generation Speaks for Itself, 1994.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Discuss the attitudes, music, politics, or social behavior of Generation X.

Does Generation X really exist?

Investigate the advertising industry’s efforts to target Generation X.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Baby Boomers

Coming of age

Generation gap

Woodstock Generation

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.