Im not even sure what gen i am lol- (born in the 60’s) straight pens were long gone by the time i was in school. Although we did have refillable fountsin pens, but hardly anyone used them. Ae .earned cursive early, so it stuck with us. Can still use it today (and read it too).
In the fifth grade, we were allowed to use a fountain pen, which we all LOVED using. By high school, we could use a ballpoint or fountain pen.
I ONLY write in cursive, when handwriting letters ( yes, I still do that, as well as sending E-mails ), writing a list or brief notes, on cards, envelopes, etc.!
Sadly it appears to be a dying out/lost "art for" now. :-(