me generation
Narcissistic era's offspring
The me generation is the cohort of Americans born in the baby boom following World War II, characterized by a shift from collective concerns toward individual fulfillment and self-expression.
The term, coined in the 1970s, often carries a critical edge—suggesting narcissism or excessive focus on personal growth at the expense of civic engagement: The me generation traded protest marches for therapy sessions.
Fourth decade, twentieth century
- baby boomers1946-1964 birth cohort
- postwarAfter hostilities end
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
- discoSeventies dance music
Tom Wolfe · EST · New Age · consciousness raising · latchkey kids · yuppies · Woodstock · sexual revolution
Preoccupation with oneself
- self-centerednessPreoccupation with one's own interests
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- vanityExcessive pride in oneself
- self-obsessionFixation on oneself
entitlement · self-admiration · grandiosity · navel-gazing · self-interest · self-indulgence · conceit · self-importance
Absence of feeling
- hedonismPursuit of gratification
- instant gratificationSatisfaction without delay
- moral declineErosion of ethical standards
- selfishnessExcessive concern for oneself
Prioritizing goods over spirit
- status symbolsObjects signaling wealth
- affluenceAbundance of money
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- conspicuous consumptionFlaunting wealth through purchases
shopping · acquisition · keeping up with the Joneses · possessions · wealth · spending · credit cards · advertising
Achieving one's complete potential
- personal growthIntentional self-improvement over time
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- self-discoveryLearning one's true character
self-fulfillment · self-improvement · self-help · uniqueness · authenticity · independence · free will · self-determination
1970s
Fourth decade, twentieth century
- baby boomers1946-1964 birth cohort
- postwarAfter hostilities end
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
Tom Wolfe · disco · EST · New Age · consciousness raising · latchkey kids · yuppies · Woodstock · sexual revolution · biofeedback
self-absorption
Preoccupation with oneself
- self-centerednessPreoccupation with one's own interests
- egotismInflated sense of self-importance
- vanityExcessive pride in oneself
self-obsession · entitlement · self-admiration · grandiosity · navel-gazing · self-interest · self-indulgence · conceit · self-importance · mirror gazing
apathy
Absence of feeling
- hedonismPursuit of gratification
- instant gratificationSatisfaction without delay
- moral declineErosion of ethical standards
materialism
Prioritizing goods over spirit
- status symbolsObjects signaling wealth
- affluenceAbundance of money
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
conspicuous consumption · shopping · acquisition · keeping up with the Joneses · possessions · wealth · spending · credit cards · advertising · retail therapy
self-actualization
Achieving one's complete potential
- personal growthIntentional self-improvement over time
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
self-discovery · self-fulfillment · self-improvement · self-help · uniqueness · authenticity · independence · free will · self-determination · empowerment
- baby boomersbaby boomers, retirees, retirement age, Medicare recipients, civil rights era
- cultural erasRenaissance, Victorian era, enlightenment, digital age, jazz age
me generationGreatest Generation
Americans spanning depression and war
World War II generation · Silent Generation · Lost Generation · millennials · Generation Z
me generationcivic-minded
Concerned with community welfare
communitarians · collectivists · altruists · team players · public servants
generation, generations, generational, generate, generated, generating, generator, generators, generative