Douglas Coupland (1961–) coined the phrase "Generation X" in his 1991 novel, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture. Born between 1961 and 1981, X-ers are the thirteenth generation since U.S. independence. They have been criticized as "slackers" and "latch-key kids" and described as the "MTV generation." These terms of abuse have usually come from the prior generation, known as the "baby boomers" (see entry under 1940s—The Way We Lived in volume 3). Many in the baby-boomer generation see themselves as responsible for advances in civil rights and sexual liberation. In addition, the baby boomers fought in and protested against the war in Vietnam (1954–75). The social situations in which baby boomers came of age are so historically memorable.

The negative view of X-ers is far from accurate. Disgusted with traditional politics, in 2001 the "Thirteeners" stand at the forefront of campaigns to protect the environment and against globalization. Generally better...