What Can We Do About American Culture, Frozen in Place?

People across the political spectrum would likely agree that American society, entering 2024, faces myriad challenges — even as they may differ as to what they are, how best to rank them, and possible solutions. A more interesting question is: How many of these difficulties result from, or are exacerbated by, generational stasis?

Our current social order is composed of generations stuck sequentially, aligned like a family structure. Birth-order theory focuses on the implications of this sequence for personality and development, but at the generational and societal levels — and moving beyond sibling rank to overall family placement — larger cultural consequences are discernable from this failure to progress.

I know what you’re probably thinking: It’s not surprising that oldsters are more vigorous as lifespans and “health-spans” have lengthened, with people of all ages looking and acting more youthful than they did only a generation ago. And it’s not as if those in their 50s (and beyond) haven’t assumed positions of authority; no small number of CEOs, university presidents, and even the current Speaker of the U.S. House sit squarely within Generation X.

What I speak of is more transcendent than literal, reflective of the emotional and cultural undercurrents of this time.

Traditionally, each generation has surpassed the one preceding it by essentially taking its place, assuming leading roles in society, both functionally and symbolically. Leadership positions have long been held by men (and increasingly, women) at the peak of their intellectual prowess, but prior to physical frailty taking hold. In today’s world, that would have the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers either already in or rapidly moving to the wings, while Gen X takes center stage.

Instead, each generation has ossified into a place both analogous to family position and birth order, and seemingly difficult to escape.

The Silent Generation, as the “grandparents” in their late 70s or older, are largely where they belong. The problem begins with the Boomers, the “parents” of our society. Given their demographic heft, the degree to which they were indulged in their youth, and the outsized societal influence they retain, they’re the generational mouse passing through the societal snake. 

Moreover, Boomers have always worn their primacy uneasily — a generational sensibility likely born of the klieg lights and associated rebellion of their early years — but nevertheless feel entitled to have their collective hand on society’s controls. That Joe Biden (technically a late Silent) and Donald Trump (an early Boomer) are our likely 2024 presidential contestants is only the most visible manifestation of this.

In contrast, Gen X — my generation — is the classic vaguely disaffected oldest child. Driven yet eager to please, we are the perpetual heirs apparent; like Britain’s Prince (now King) Charles, we expect to succeed to a starring role but are unsure of ourselves, play-acting at institutional stewardship while nourishing adolescence without end. Think of former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) skateboarding on the campaign trail during a 2018 Senate bid, yet later hoping to be taken seriously as a presidential aspirant.

And so it goes for ensuing generations. Millennials, the forgotten middle children, coddled yet overlooked, relentlessly overanalyzed, acting out for attention while flailing in their solipsism; and Gen Z, the youngest children who thus far resemble nothing so much as a cute kid added to a faltering 1980s sitcom to boost flagging ratings, enveloped in safety-ism and screen time.

What is noteworthy about this stasis is that it appears to be a new phenomenon. It may be why we, each in our own way, ask after every new catastrophe ensuing from incompetence or inattention: “Where are the adults?”  

The unfortunate answer appears to be that, chronology notwithstanding, we’re without any, at least not as traditionally conceived. The culture resembles a barbell of emotional maturity, overrepresented by the geriatric and infantile at each end.

In a world absent said grown-ups, and as we embark upon this new year, perhaps we’d be best off making the most of our own individual lives, if only to play some small part in unfreezing the culture. Arguably, this begins with living life to its fullest, taking responsibility, meeting challenges, aging gracefully and, most importantly, growing up.

Richard J. Shinder (@RichardJShinder) is managing partner of Theatine Partners, a financial consultancy.