Gen X stuck at the kiddie table?
Using data to understand what's going on with American power dynamics
Many of us have experienced the holiday tradition of the kiddie table versus the adult table, but what happens when you get stuck at the kiddie table?
What happens to a society when its people live longer yet there are no roles for its elders, like councils of elders?
People hold on to power until the very end, disrupting the natural progression of leadership. When we halt the traditional passing of the torch to younger generations, we witness a delayed shift in power dynamics and a stalling of societal progress.
Generational researchers argue that people staying in power into their late 70s and 80s causes a ripple effect, delaying adulthood for younger generations. It’s akin to being perpetually stuck at the kiddie table, waiting for their turn at the adult table.
Right, now we are in a moment of time where the generational grip is strong, as the Washington Post maps out, there is a 42 year gap between our president and the median population age.
In October 2023, we gathered data for the Forbes CMO Summit to capture the sentiments we were hearing. Last fall, many Americans expressed dissatisfaction with older leaders, criticizing their handling of issues like climate change, women’s healthcare rights, TikTok, and AI advancements.
Recently, we revisited this data to see if perceptions had shifted in light of the age-centric election discussions. The results show a persistent belief across all Americans that older leaders cannot fully comprehend the needs of younger generations. Moreover, a significant majority of those under 62, feel that older generations are obstructing the natural progression of leadership, including 68% of Gen X.
Online parodies contrasting the president's age (who falls into the Silent generation) to modern landmarks, such as inception of India, color TV, and Hawaii, illustrate the perception gap. It’s challenging for younger people to believe that someone so far removed from their own experiences can truly understand the pressures of modern life.
And we’re not talking just about just passing the torch to the youngest Americans, were talking about hearing from Gen X. Historically, as Scott Galloway points out, presidents like Clinton, Bush, and Obama were in their 50s when they ran for office for a second term, which is the current age of Gen Xer (now 44-62).
So what happening? Contrary to popular belief, Boomers no longer hold the demographic advantage. Millennials are now the largest voting-eligible generation, with Gen Z coming on strong, and Gen X slightly smaller but more affluent.
The thing to watch is the money dynamics. Older Americans, still retain significant power and influence due to generational wealth holdings, including Silent Generation who account for less than 5% of the population but are holding on to over 11% of the nations wealth. As detailed by the NYTimes below.
What can we do moving forward?
To facilitate smoother transitions of power, it's essential to develop a meaningful exit strategy for our elders. We should adopt the concept of the "modern elder," as introduced by Chip Conley. Modern elders are distinguished by their curiosity and wisdom, continually evolving, learning, and collaborating. They approach life's changes with a spirit of adventure and exploration. This model not only fosters self-awareness and social awareness but also promotes a more inclusive and empathetic style of leadership. By creating impactful and relevant roles for our modern elders in society, we acknowledge their value and contributions, paving the way for a more natural progression where the next generation can lead according to their values and beliefs.
Despite the challenges we face today, there is still a sense of hope for unity and progress. Our recent collaboration with The Milken Institute revealed that 78% of Americans view the 2024 election as a chance for the nation to come together rather than grow further apart. This sentiment is shared widely across political lines, with 81% of Republicans and 80% of Democrats in agreement. While the optimism from the report initially puzzled many when it was released in May, it seems that beneath the surface of election-related anxiety, many Americans are earnestly hoping for a turning point or a Hail Mary.
What to consider?
Business leaders need to be aware of current societal trends and adjust their strategies to accommodate them. This means ensuring that older generations feel valued as they transition into different leadership roles or working conditions, while also empowering younger generations eager to make their mark now.
The shift towards younger leadership isn't about sidelining older generations; rather, it's about fostering a balanced ecosystem where the voices of all ages are heard and respected. This natural transition of power is crucial for maintaining a dynamic and effective democracy and business environment, ensuring that leadership continues to be relevant and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.
3 Links
Aging Might Not Be Inevitable (Wired)
Disney has a kid crisis (Business Insider)
Is Dating a Total Nightmare for You Right Now? ( bad dating gone viral, The Cut)
Curiosity is contagious; if you like this newsletter, please share it!!
Penned by Libby Rodney and Abbey Lunney, founders of the Thought Leadership Group at The Harris Poll. To learn more about the Thought Leadership Practice, just contact one of us or find out more here.
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