Born between 1946 and 1964, the baby boomer generation followed the end of World War II and was the biggest generation in U.S. history. Over the last decades, there has been growing resentment towards the generation of younger people who feel boomer policies and opinions have left them unequipped.
Economic Imbalance
Boomers are often perceived as having benefited from economic booms, whereas younger generations have faced challenges such as student debts and housing market issues. Fortune reported that “the average wealth gap between those 60 and older (mostly boomers) and those 40 and younger (mostly millennials, plus Gen Z) has nearly doubled since the 1960s and 1970s.”
Housing Market Challenges
There is a perception among younger generations that boomers have had easier access to affordable housing. The rise in property values has made homeownership challenging for younger generations, and some argue that boomer policies have contributed to current housing market issues.
Environmental Impact
According to The Hill, “Survey data in 2005, 2010, and 2015, covering 27 European Union countries, the U.S., and four other nations, shows that baby boomers leave the largest carbon footprint.” Younger generations often feel that the practices and policies of older generations have exacerbated climate issues.
Workplace Dynamics
Some young people feel their employment opportunities are limited due to the length of time boomers are remaining in the workforce. Seen as resistant to change, young people also believe boomers affect the rates of innovation, and this can lead to tension between generations in the workplace.
Technological Adaptation
Having grown up without a lot of the modern-day technology we depend upon today, boomers are often stereotyped as being less tech-savvy, and this is seen as a barrier to progress and adaptation in various sectors. Younger generations feel that they need to work harder to bridge this technological gap.
Political Influence
Boomers are seen as having a significant influence on voting and election outcomes, which younger generations believe do not fit with their needs. The Pew Research Center, however, reported that “the three younger generations—those ages 18 to 53 in 2018—reported casting 62.2 million votes, compared with 60.1 million cast by Baby Boomers and older generations.”
Social Security and Healthcare
As more boomers retire, there are growing concerns about the sustainability of Social Security as younger generations worry they won’t receive similar benefits despite contributing to the system. There are also growing concerns about the strains that the healthcare system faces as the boomer population continues to age.
Educational System
As younger generations face high education costs, there is a growing resentment for the educational landscape that boomers benefitted from, which often had lower costs for students. Young people also feel that the education system has not evolved adequately to meet modern needs.
Debt and Economic Policies
A lot of the resentment surrounding the boomer generation is due to the policies their age group has made that are now affecting young people negatively. The population is sometimes blamed for policies that have led to increased national debt, as many believe past economic decisions are to blame for current financial instability.
Cultural Misunderstandings
Society is ever-moving, and there are many cultural values and norms that are now widely accepted by younger people that boomers sometimes remain conservative on in their views. This can lead to misunderstandings between generations, and boomers are sometimes known for clashing with the progressive attitudes of younger generations.
Perceived Entitlement
Boomers are often characterized as having a sense of entitlement, which impacts relationships between generations. There is a perception that this affects how policies and societal challenges are debated, and some younger people feel they lose out on opportunities as a result.
Media Representation
The media plays a large role in a lot of the perceptions that younger generations have of boomers due to their emphasized use of generational stereotypes. This can exacerbate tensions between generations as younger people feel their challenges are underrepresented.
Retirement Resources
There is a perception among younger people that boomers have more robust pension plans and retirement resources than they will have access to. This fuels envy and resentment as younger generations face uncertainty about their own retirements, causing tensions between generations.
Legacy and Inheritance Issues
Boomers are seen as a wealthier generation, and younger people feel that the way they deal with finances will mean less money is left behind for themselves and future generations. These kinds of inheritance and legacy issues can lead to family disputes as well as wider societal resentments.
Work-Life Balance
According to Karbon, “Baby Boomers grew up on horror stories of the Great Depression, so they value working hard and the opportunity to work and crave stability. As a result, work-life balance wasn’t a main priority or concern.” Younger cultures, who seek more flexible work environments, find this frustrating.
Resistance to Social Change
Having grown up in different social contexts, boomers have different perspectives on cultural norms, and this often leads younger generations to view them as outdated or resistant to necessary change. These kinds of clashes contribute to the wider tensions between generations.
Globalization and Economic Shifts
Before globalization, boomers experienced the peak of national industries and job markets. Younger generations can sometimes resent this as they face a market where competition is no longer local but international, changing the dynamics of job security and opportunity. They also feel that boomer policies and decision-making haven’t adequately equipped younger people to navigate a global economy.