Gen X Embraces Independence

Valerie Gundlah, a Spanish teacher at Highland, is a true Gen Xer as her personality represents the independence and resilience this generation is known for.
As this generation grew up, they were known as the “latch-key kids,” a term for kids coming home to an empty house and having to take care of themselves. As the concept of “women can do it all” was flooding America, there was a dramatic increase in working women, which sometimes left an absent house where kids had complete freedom.
While the moms were getting involved in the community and finding jobs, the kids sometimes had to fend for themselves.
“Our parents were mindfully neglectful because the expectation was that ‘I don’t need to be watching you 24/7 because I expect you to be a responsible human being’ so we just did,” Gundlah said.
This generation was expected to do it themselves. They did their chores in a timely manner and were expected to feed themselves, clean up, and do their homework without a parent standing guard. When they would go out into their neighborhood and play with their friends, their parents trusted in them to make good choices and be home by dinner.
So many of these kids were surrounded by responsibility. But these weren’t the only emotions of this generation. Sometimes there were also feelings of overarching fear. With anxiety from living in the Cold War and increased worries of financial problems, many people aimed to have as much fun as they could while they were young.
One thing that brought fun into the 1980s was their music and television. The neighborhood became a true community as people all started to watch shows together and ask each other if they have seen the newest episode of the MASH – a popular TV show that Gundlah remembers watching as a kid.
As this generation grew into adulthood, Gundlah says these independent skills she learned as a child translate into her work as a teacher. So many tasks must be done all at one and this often yanks her attention in different directions. She is forced to use her own judgment to juggle these jobs and decide how to do it her own way.
“Teachers are expected to do so much,” Gundlah said. “You have to be on all the time.”
Growing up in Gen Z, helped shape who Gundlah became and gave her the tools to thrive in her life.
“We are the generation of whatever happens put on your big-girl pants and just deal with it,” Gundlah said.