Explainer: Generation Jones
Too young to be a Boomer; too old for Gen X. Unique in their own way!
“Generation Jones” refers to the people born between the late 1950s and the mid-1960s, a demographic group that bridges the Baby Boomers and Generation X.
Think, in no particular order and for no particular reason, of Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Obama, Stephen Fry, Denzel Washington, Michael Jordan, Jose Mourinho, Nigella Lawson, Bill Gates, Steve Irwin, Jon Bon Jovi, Axl Rose, Garry Kasparov, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Yeoh, Jack Ma, Jodie Foster, Hugh Bonneville, Coolio, Madonna, Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart.
This term was popularised by social commentator Jonathan Pontell, who observed that this group possesses distinct characteristics that set them apart from the generations on either side.
Generation Jones derives its name from the slang term “keeping up with the Joneses” — a reflection of their collective sense of yearning and aspiration — as well as the common surname “Jones”, symbolising their everyman status.
Do you identify as Generation Jones? Why? What makes you different from the Boomers and Xers? Do you feel valued? Let us know!
Born roughly between 1955 and 1965, Generation Jones came of age during a time of significant cultural and societal shifts. They witnessed the Apollo 11 moon landing; they experienced both the optimism at the tail end of World War II and the social upheavals of the 1960s and early 1970s, including the civil rights movement, women’s liberation and anti-war protests.
As they entered adulthood in the mid-1970s and 1980s, they encountered economic challenges, such as stagflation, rising unemployment, and the energy crisis. This fostered a sense of disillusionment and pragmatism, contrasting sharply with the idealism of the early Baby Boomers.
Culturally, Generation Jones was profoundly influenced by the advent of mass media, particularly television, which became a dominant force in their lives. They grew up watching shows such as Star Trek, The Brady Bunch and Happy Days, and their formative years coincided with the rise of disco and punk.
These cultural markers contributed to their identity as a transitional generation, blending the optimism of the 1960s with the skepticism of the late 20th century.
Socially, members of Gen Jones have often been characterised by their adaptability and resilience. They’ve become adept at navigating the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world, including technological advancements and shifting social norms.
They were early adopters of personal computers and played a pivotal role in the workplace as industries evolved in the late 20th century.
Today, as many members of Generation Jones approach retirement, they continue to consume, seek new experiences and fight for their rights.
Are you a member of Gen Jones? Do you feel marginalised or mainstream? Let us know!
I identify as a GenJones. Or as the youngsters would say, “hard relate”.
There are some good analogies here. I'm a 1956 baby and my wife is a 1959 (just) baby. This means our late teens, and early twenties, were the 70s. Despite the Vietnam War this was an era searching for positive change, and for many of us that has continued.