The generational wars wage ever on. “These darn kids are ruining everything!” shouts one side, while the other deridingly snarks, “Okay, Boomer.”
Boomers Get a Lot Right
As much as the younger crowd likes to think they’re right about everything, including their own generation, some can admit they’re not. Their older and wiser parents and grandparents make some great points, especially when looking at youths’ behavior through the lens of experience.
While scrolling through the popular r/askreddit community on Reddit, I stumbled upon a thread asking Millennials and Gen Z to share things Boomers say about their generations that they actually agree with.
Social Media Ruins Mental Health
Boomers wax poetic about the dangers of social media, and they aren’t wrong, but they are hypocritical.
One user agreed with Boomers that social media impacts kids’ mental health but pointed out that older folks aren’t immune. The Baby Boomers use social media just as much as younger generations and are just as susceptible to online propaganda as everyone else.
Keep Personal Things Personal
Kids these days use social media as an online journal to share everything in their lives, from their daily meals to their relationship drama. One user agreed with their elders that they should be slightly more cautious about what they post online.
Others pointed out that their boomer parents seem to be the worst culprits in sharing personal information online, especially as it pertains to grandkids. We get it; you love your grandkids and are proud of them, but let them have some online privacy.
No One Wants to Work
A common Boomer complaint is that no one wants to work anymore, and younger generations agree. However, they frame the argument very differently.
“We don’t do it for fun. We don’t want to,” said one.
No one actually wants to work. Work pays the bills, so we do it because we have to. Younger generations are finding ways to survive without relying on a company that doesn’t value them, and we wish boomers would follow.
Learn An In-Demand Skill
When younger generations complain about pay and lack of good jobs, Boomers generally retort that they should learn an in-demand skill. They’re not entirely wrong about that.
Victim-Mentality
The younger generation’s obsession with victimhood limits their growth. Yep, one Redditor agreed with boomers on this highly divisive point and even received a handful of upvotes.
It does seem like some younger folks are looking for something to be victimized about, and that only takes away from people who truly experienced trauma and deserve our support.
Too Sensitive
Another user commented that younger generations are too sensitive. Boomers constantly call Gen Z and Millennials snowflakes for getting their feelings hurt over “minor” things, and sometimes they’re right.
Someday we will find the right balance.
Dating App Culture is Dangerous
Boomer parents warned their children about meeting strangers from the internet. Now, we happily meet up for dates with people we just met through a screen.
“These casual encounters can be extremely dangerous and perpetuate informal s– one-night stand relationships and low self-esteem,” said one user.
Dating apps also make relationships more transactional and based on physical appearance than real connections.
Put the Phones Down
Millennials and Gen Z are obsessed with their phones. Those little dopamine hits from notifications are exhilarating but a massive distraction.
One user admitted Boomers are right about this, but added that the problem isn’t limited to younger folks.
“Virtually every generation currently alive is guilty of this, but it’s true. The big tech companies have done a very good job getting people addicted to their phones, and it’s so normalized that no one sees it as a problem,” they stated.
Not Ready for the Real World
Many younger Millenials and Gen Zers have been coddled their entire lives, and aren’t ready to take adult responsibility.
“The newer generations are a lot less ready to take care of themselves in the world than older generations were after they graduated high school,” said one user.
The Kids Are Alright
One self-proclaimed boomer joined the thread to point out that there’s nothing wrong with younger generations.
“I think the young generation is just fine,” they shared. “There’s nothing particular wrong with them at all, just like there’s nothing particular wrong with any other generation. The truth is, we’re all just people. At different stages in our lives.”
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