Daily Sabah.
Most teenagers today are familiar with the word Nirvana and the yellow logo of a smiley-face that often accompanies. And for our parents, "Nirvana xxP" feels a lot more personal; they are Generation X, the generation that lived Nirvana's music, albeit only for select years in the early 90s. Because Nirvana's album "Nevermind" was a global hit, this holds the case not only for Americans, but for parents of teens from all over.
Although Generation X actually experienced the subculture defined by Nirvana and formed an attachment to them as teenagers back in the day, current teenagers don't understand why the alternative rock band was such a big deal, and many of the currently 42- to 57-year-olds have trouble putting their connection to Nirvana into words. It turns out the reason for Nirvana's impact on Gen X is largely entrenched in their parents', the previous generation's, youth: counterculture in the 60s.
Counterculture birthed many movements, including the sexual revolution, or the "free love" movement. Unlike parents of the past who believed in forming a stable family, young adults of the 60s and 70s prioritized personal freedom over commitment to their partners and children. Gen X, who had become adolescents by the 90s, were modern America's first set of children that grew up lacking a stable, traditional family. What resulted was their disaffection and "lack of direction" as teenagers—precisely what Nirvana's lead singer, fellow Gen X Kurt Cobain, captured in his cynical and self-deprecating lyrics. The anger that Nirvana expressed through grunge music, combined with their unique mix of pop melodies that added notes of depression, directly spoke to Gen X during their confused youth. Nirvana's music dominated 90s youth culture because it gave voice to the teenagers who were full of discontent yet lacked the commitment to actively protest.
Interestingly enough, there came consequently Gen X's mainstream takeover, drowning out their parents' hard rock culture. As grunge developed into a widespread subculture of youth throughout America, even determining mass clothing, the children gained control over cultural norms, replacing the parents. In a way, Generation X succeeded in their Protest by Nirvana Craze.
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