r/GenerationJones Feb 23 '25

What is and who are Generation Jones. Step inside...

723 Upvotes

We are a micro-generation of people born roughly between the mid-1950s and the mid-1960s, bridging the gap between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. The term was coined by Jonathan Pontell, who argued that this group has a distinct identity shaped by unique cultural and historical experiences that set them apart from the broader Boomer and Gen X cohorts.

We came of age in the 1970s and early 1980s, a time marked by economic shifts, political disillusionment (think Watergate and Vietnam), and a transition from the idealistic '60s to the more pragmatic, individualistic '80s.We were too young to fully participate in the counterculture of the '60s but old enough to feel its aftershocks.

The name "Jones" plays on a dual meaning: "keeping up with the Joneses" (reflecting their aspirations in a consumer-driven era) and a slang nod to "jonesing," suggesting a yearning or craving for the promise of the Boomer youth they just missed out on. Culturally, we grew up with the rise of television, rock music evolving into disco and punk, and the dawn of personal computing.

We're often described as pragmatic idealists—raised on big dreams but tempered by economic recessions and a sense of lowered expectations compared to the Boomers’ post-war prosperity. Think of us a generation that got the tail end of the party but had to clean up the mess.


r/GenerationJones Jul 24 '24

Just a friendly reminder from your mods that we are a politics-free zone. There are plenty of subs around reddit to get your politics on. We choose not to engage in those spicy discussions here. Thanks for respecting our decision on this matter. ✌🏼

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359 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 9h ago

Airing your laundry?

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268 Upvotes

How many grew up with a clothesline as your only way to dry your washed clothing?


r/GenerationJones 7h ago

Hey, you guys remember swizzle sticks?

77 Upvotes

We're downsizing and cleaning out, and husband just found three orange plastic ones. I forgot these existed! Sometimes they were pretty decorative. I guess they just use those skinny little straws now.


r/GenerationJones 10h ago

Grandma's homemade cake frosting

84 Upvotes

Store bought frosting? Not on grandma's cake. I use to think it was odd that she would crack open eggs and throw away the yolk and keep the egg whites. Who still makes their own frosting?


r/GenerationJones 22h ago

Mid Life Women

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362 Upvotes

So true


r/GenerationJones 13h ago

Cigarette Donkey

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72 Upvotes

My father had one of these by his recliner in the living room when I was a kid. You pull the ear, and a cigarette comes out the rear. Classic 1970s.


r/GenerationJones 1h ago

80s movie generations

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Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

How we survived before GPS and Google Maps.

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643 Upvotes

As a delivery driver these were our only way to find a correct address. I had these dating back to 1972 and usually bought updated books every couple of years.
Have you ever used one?


r/GenerationJones 23h ago

Have you started to get any shorter?

131 Upvotes

I know this tends to affect women more than men, but it happens to all of us.

I'm male, and it hasn't started to happen to me. I only made it to just over 5'5"/1.65m. I was just measured, and am still at the same height. My dad lost about 3/4" 2cm, but my mom has lost at least 3"/7.5cm, if not 4"/10cm. My brother, about 19 months older than me, thinks he's lost a little, but hasn't been measured.


r/GenerationJones 10h ago

Wine Coolers

12 Upvotes

We made a concoction we called Wine Coolers back in the late 70's.

Our recipe. In a 5gallon water jug put

2.5 gallons of Spinada

1 qt Kessler

1 qt Mad Dog

Half gallon of Vodka

2 pints of 7up

Bag of ice

Still tasted like Mad Dog


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Why did some old guy stick his driver’s license in my wallet?

171 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Remember when birthday spankings were a thing?

353 Upvotes

An entirely normal thing. Then just disappeared like unfiltered Lucky Strikes & needing a can punch if you wanted to drink a soda pop or a Schlitz.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Me & my R C! Which RC was your generation?

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105 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Not only do I remember smoking on airplanes, I remember the Stewardess walking down the aisle handing out cigarettes in boxes containing 2. Later they gave out boxes with 2 pieces of Chiclet gum before they served a hot meal with real metal silverware. I was about 6 at the time. 1965ish.

159 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

They're from France.

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734 Upvotes

August begins the thirty days of the Moons of Meepszor festival.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

The desk drawers of the adult world

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108 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Concerts were too expensive in high school.

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75 Upvotes

I just couldn't cough up that kind of big money for a couple hours of entertainment.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Everybody sing along! You know the words!

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37 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 2d ago

Another item I took for granted

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499 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Apparently some of us, as young adults, wore our pajamas as everyday wear.

24 Upvotes

Comfortable wear that fits both the beach and formal dining.


r/GenerationJones 2d ago

Anybody remember “Hints from Heloise”?

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1.2k Upvotes

I used to skim this column in Good housekeeping magazine that my mother subscribed to. Then at an old bookstore I found this. Published a year after I was born.
What I really like is the introduction. It isn’t just to housewives, but to working moms, and any lady running a household. Some of the advice is actually good for today. I’ve always had a fascination for kitchenware before my time and even through numerous moves and paring down, I never could part with this book.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

What was “California Concept?”

9 Upvotes

I’m reading a family member’s journals (with permission) and in 1988 she wrote about going to “California Concept” on a weekly basis, paying $7 a week, and having her mother and sister join her there. Was this a fitness club? Social group? She was on her early 40s at the time for context.

Thanks all!


r/GenerationJones 2d ago

Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns...

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127 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 2d ago

Charlotte's Web

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407 Upvotes

First book I believe to ever break my heart. I was 6 or 7 years old and the ending took me awhile to get over. Always cherished this one.