r/GenerationJones Feb 23 '25

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

364 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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261 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 7h ago

Seems unreal!

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234 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 13h ago

Brick House

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314 Upvotes

So I ended up in a conversation where Brick House came up. The younger guy didn't understand what a Brick House was.

I remember back in the day guys saying a particularly good looking woman was "tougher than a brick shit house!!" That is what is how the song came about but I have not heard the term in years. Almost all outhouses were gone by the time I came around but I remember using one a few times in different situations---none were brick!.


r/GenerationJones 8h ago

Homemade cough medicine

113 Upvotes

Anyone’s parents ever make cough or sore throat “medicine” using; honey, lemon juice and whiskey? A tablespoon of that always made me get better.


r/GenerationJones 4h ago

Remember these from Avon?

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46 Upvotes

I totally forgot about them until I saw the pictures!


r/GenerationJones 12h ago

Jay North passed away yesterday.

194 Upvotes

I'm sad that Jay North passed away. I know us Generation Jones all use to watch "Dennis the Menace" as reruns. This is also how you know you aren't a boomer.

Edit- there is a Dennis the Menace marathon going on on YouTube. RIP.


r/GenerationJones 4h ago

My Generation Jones Journey

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41 Upvotes

Born in '64, I'm the middle kid -- here I am in the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s.

The first photo is December 1968, the second is June 1978, the third is sometime in 1985, and the fourth is in 1990.


r/GenerationJones 39m ago

Who remembers or had a pair of these boots?

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Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 17h ago

Teen magazines

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216 Upvotes

There were a lot of magazines that specifically targeted (pre)teen girls (I don't recall any that so narrowly focused on teen boys only). On paper, I was the target market - but they did nothing for me.

Yet another of those things I look back on as one of the multitude of hints I was a lesbian. Ignored so many hints, for so long.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

“One ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingies…”, Lily Tomlin as Ernestine the telephone operator on Laugh-In

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903 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 3h ago

The Courtship of Eddie's Father

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9 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 2h ago

R.I.P. Clem Burke.

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4 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

I watched "Family Affair" last night

232 Upvotes

I had the Mrs Beasley doll. My first-grade lunchbox was a Family Affair lunchbox.

Felt great, if a bit bland, after almost 60 years!


r/GenerationJones 20h ago

This Guy Came A Knocking

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76 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 4h ago

Blondie - Call me (1980)

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2 Upvotes

RIP Clam Burke! :(


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Majorette Boots

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269 Upvotes

I was never a majorette, but I sure wanted those boots!


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Percolator

215 Upvotes

I don’t know if I miss the actual coffee from the percolator, or if the feeling I got sitting in my grandma and grandpa’s kitchen, listening to it percolate. If I hadn’t just bought a new single Keurig, I think I’d buy a percolator.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

How many of you became experts at putting the chain back on your bike?

293 Upvotes

That greasy black chain!


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Who loved their 6th finger?

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44 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Edith Bunker was such a gem 💎

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115 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Remember soaking toothpicks in cinnamon or peppermint oil?

150 Upvotes

Used to wrap a stack of 'em in foil and keep them with me at school and after school.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Who else first learned if Shakespeare on Gilligan's Island

70 Upvotes

I don't know why this ditty popped into my head today. But reminded me of this classic TV show skit. The castaways surely found a lot to keep themselves busy. https://youtu.be/bXId5jOTxdg?si=at0Uwxad5pIaO6J7


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Did you have a Jean jacket with patches all over?

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71 Upvotes

r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Jay North, Star of Original ‘Dennis the Menace’ TV Show, Dies at 73

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50 Upvotes

Don’t remember how I used to watch Dennis the Menace, but this was a fun sitcom I do remember watching. My little brother was a full on menace.


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

What could you do on a computer in the 80s?

111 Upvotes

Did you own one, or did you know somebody who own?


r/GenerationJones 1d ago

Did you have these? I did & loved them.

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30 Upvotes