I’m Gen X, so I’m part of the crossover generation.

My father’s father worked for the same company from the age of about 14 (by lying about his age) until retirement. He started as a kid sweeping glue residue off the top of shipping crates and ended as a union shop foreman. My other grandfather was a career soldier who moved from combat duty to overseas stationing in Germany and Japan to training officers in universities. My father worked in a single career for a single firm all of his life.

I, on the other hand, have had probably a half dozen different careers. Not employers - careers. I couldn’t even recall the number of employers I’ve had. And I’m even thinking about making one more switch before I call it done.

My grandparents (commercial or military) retired with full pensions that allowed them to live comfortably until the ends of their days. My partner and I are going to be relying on our retirement and other savings.

I think what the authors are talking about is generationally skewed. If you have an empty weekend and can suppress a gag reaction against racism, I suggest reading the Crichton novel Rising Sun. The movie is an alternative, but doesn’t really capture the existential terror that the novel does. Its value is in providing an insight into the American perception of reality at the time, as the economy transformed from lifetime employment at a company to what became the modern version of hopping around, either voluntarily or because the companies themselves are seeing employees as temps. I think the authors, whether or not they harbor the outdated insights to whatever degree, are speaking to that phenomenon. I just think you’re right in pointing out it’s outdated by about 20 years.

The 80s were like 20 years ago, right?