OK, Boomer
Ah, boomers. An entire generation bundled into one easily targeted punchline. If you scroll through social media these days, you’ll see them blamed for everything from the housing crisis to gentrification and the existence of avocado toast. But let’s hit pause for a second. Are all these reasons really fair, or do we sometimes get carried away throwing shade? Here’s a list of 20 unfair reasons people hate on boomers—and why maybe, just maybe, some of these gripes miss the mark.
1. They Ruined the Economy
Sure, the stock market has its ups and downs, and that’s putting it mildly. But can we really blame an entire generation for complex financial systems that even seasoned experts struggle to understand? Boomers lived through recessions, oil crises, and more. They didn’t have a crystal ball.
2. They Don’t Understand Technology
Come on, have you seen some of those viral boomer TikTokers? While most are admittedly cringey, some of them are surprisingly tech-savvy. Maybe they didn’t grow up with smartphones, but they’ve more or less adapted to the times. As for your mom trying to figure out how to do a video call, well, at least she’s trying.
3. They’re All Politically Conservative
There’s a stubborn stereotypical belief that boomers are all set in their ways, voting red and refusing to change. But political beliefs vary widely. Don’t forget that it was the boomers who marched for civil rights, protested the Vietnam war, and championed feminist reforms. Painting them all one color is naïve.
4. They Don’t Care About the Environment
Many boomers actively pushed environmental protections in the ’70s and ’80s. The creation of national parks, the EPA, the Clean Air Act weren’t millennial ideas. Sometimes the story is messier than “boomers bad, millennials good.”
5. They Have No Idea How Hard It Is to Live Now
With ever-rising inflation, skyrocketing housing prices, student debt, and a stagnant job market, getting by in today’s economy can feel impossible. But boomers also faced their own unique set of challenges: high inflation, cold wars, and their own share of market downturns. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows back then.
6. They’re Hoarding All the Wealth
This one’s complicated. Boomers did accumulate significant wealth over the decades, but it’s not like they’re sitting on piles of gold bars, refusing to share. They simply happened to exist at a time when the job market allowed you to support a family on a single income. Many are struggling with retirement funds, healthcare costs, and longer life expectancies that outstrip their pension fund.
7. They Don’t Understand Cancel Culture
Well, maybe your conspiracy loving uncle doesn’t. But cancel culture isn’t exactly a universally beloved phenomenon either. It’s a new social dynamic that confuses everyone, regardless of age, and many a millennial has been on the receiving end of cancel culture for voicing an opinion deemed unsavory.
8. They’re Out of Touch with Modern Social Issues
While it may be true that many boomers are less aware of today’s evolving conversations surrounding gender, race, and identity, keep in mind that many of these nuanced social theories were initially developed by boomer academics. Compassionate voices exist throughout all generations, and many are choosing to learn, listen, and even lead. Generalizing misses those voices.
9. They Think Millennials Are Lazy
Ever heard this one? The “kids these days” complaint isn’t new and practically every generation has been on the receiving end of this one-liner. It probably goes back to the dawn of time. Boomers had their own “lazy” generation to complain about, and so on.
10. They Refuse to Retire and Make Room
Okay, some boomers work well past retirement age, and yes, that can impact younger people’s job prospects. But many stay employed because they love their jobs or need the income. And truth be told, there’s a real stigma against hiring older people, so can you really blame them for holding on to their career?
11. They Have Bad Taste in Music, Clothes, and Culture
Let’s be real here, fashion and music are deeply subjective and many of the new trends aren’t exactly revolutionary. What’s “bad taste” to one might be a classic to another. You can’t blame someone for loving disco or rock ’n’ roll. After all, everything that comes around comes around, and those baggy jeans your dad loves will soon be back in style.
12. They’re Responsible for the Rise of Fast Food and Processed Snacks
Did boomers invent fast food? Not exactly, but they sure grew up in its heyday back when it wasn’t so pumped full of preservatives and toxic chemicals. Still, those giant-sized sodas and drive-thrus were probably pretty convenient for busy families. And who doesn’t love the occasional midnight Big Mac after a night out?
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13. They’re Resistant to Change in the Workplace
Let’s face it, change is unpleasant. Every generation has needed to adjust to new tech and new social norms. Boomers didn’t invent stubbornness; it’s human nature. Besides, many have been mentors and champions for innovation, so let’s give them their due.
14. They Don’t Understand Mental Health
There was definitely a stigma around mental health when boomers were younger. Men, especially, were taught to keep their emotions buried deep inside. But awareness is growing everywhere, and many boomers have been vocal advocates in recent years.
15. They Had It Easy and Didn’t Appreciate It
Was their era easy? Relative to now, maybe, but the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Not to mention that comparing hardships across eras is tricky, as each generation faces unique pressures that outsiders might not grasp. At least millennials haven’t needed to worry about the draft.
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16. They’re Addicted to Complaining About Millennials
This is more about a human trait than a generation, since after all, everyone loves to gripe about the younger folks, right? It’s almost a rite of passage. Even millennials have an ever-growing list of complaints about Generation X.
17. They Don’t Know How to Use Social Media Responsibly
Look, boomers might overshare on social media and misunderstand memes, but that’s just part of learning a new language. And make no mistake, social media pop culture is a language. Besides, plenty of younger people misuse social media too.
18. They’re the Reason Housing Is Unaffordable
Housing markets are influenced by lots of factors outside of any individual’s control—fluctuating interest rates, condensed urban planning, high immigration. Boomers definitely played a role in making housing inaccessible, but they didn’t do so purposefully.
19. They Don’t Recycle or Care About Sustainability
Many boomers have been active recyclers and environmentalists for decades. Where do you think those blue boxes at the end of your driveway originated from? Sure, not everyone thinks twice about throwing their recyclables in the trash, but generalizing isn’t fair.
20. They’re Out of Touch with Youth Culture and Trends
Probably true, but that’s true of almost everyone outside a youth bubble. Every generation looks like a mystery to the next one. Nostalgia is a funny thing, and people tend to gravitate towards what’s familiar and comfortable.
