Both Generation X and the Silent Generation came of age after major changes in America's Socio-political landscape. Both had the potential to be lost in the wake of these changes. The Silent Generation did, failing to make themselves known or have a great effect on America. Generation X did not, finding a voice to make themselves known to the rest of the United States. Why was Generation X able to make itself known, where the Silent Generation was not? What factors forced the generation between the Boomers and the G.I.s to sit back and not speak? What factors allowed Generation X to do the opposite?
