While conducting generation search on the Internet yesterday, I ran across an article entitled "Why I hate Boomers." So tonight I did a search and got a whole page of returns for the phrase "I hate Boomers," including a blog and a forum thread.

My reply to this hatred of Boomers is "I love Generation Xers." I love them for many reasons, but cover only seven broad ones in this article.

Now that wasn't always the case. When the first class of Generation Xers enrolled in my classes at The University of Oklahoma, I was bewildered. I'd never taught students who accepted nothing that I taught without questioning it, often in a challenging and disrespectful way.

I had to learn about Generation Xers or get out of teaching. So I started researching them. That led to a line of generation and other research on how people in segments differ. So the first reason that I love Generation Xers is because they spurred me into research that has become my passion.

At first Boomer writers described Generation Xers with adjectives such as "whiners, malcontents, drifters and cynics." But I began to see another side of them - their pragmatic, self-sufficient, savvy, ambitious and independent side.

This is the second reason that I love Generation Xers. They are more than any set of adjectives, and they are individual enough as not to be easily described.

Generation Xers' unwillingness to be duped by a person just because they hold a position of authority, and their independent thinking and strong convictions comprise the third reason that I love Generation Xers. It's ironic that characteristics that first frustrated me with them, I now consider strengths.

Fourth, I love Generation Xers because of their commitment to their children and acceptance of diverse ideas of family. As one of the Boomer women who pioneered a formerly male-dominated profession and had a latch-key Generation X child, I respect Generation Xers' determination not to put jobs, careers or businesses before their families.

Fifth, I love Generation Xers because in spite of not sacrificing time with their families and children, they are still achieving success in their careers and businesses. In fact, they are achieving more and living higher lifestyles than anyone predicted when they were adolescents.

Sixth, I love Generation Xers for their patriotism, their independent spirituality, and many others characteristics that I and many Boomers are growing to appreciate more as Generation Xers take their place in adult society.

And seventh, I love Generation Xers because they are just the people that their Boomer parents reared them to be. They didn't portray the characteristics that we taught them exactly the way we imaged, but they do live those characteristics everyday, and this world is stronger and better because of them.

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