I mentioned to my cousin the other day how lucky we were to be born in the time that we were (1969). Unlike our parents, we didn't fear nukes. Unlike our children, we don't fear acts of terrorism.
As someone born in the same year, some thoughts:
We didn't fear nukes; they were simply an ever present "threat" that we digested along with strangers offering candy and playing with matches.
We don't fear terrorism; the intelligent among us recognize it as a threat to confront, not from which to cower.
I believe we are quite pragmatic (lending to some wonderfully biting sarcastic wits among us). Childhood was grand. Graduating from college in '91 wasn't the greatest timing, but I'm doing well.