Boomers often advise younger generations, but society has changed a lot, and as a result, much of their advice is now outdated and unhelpful. Many boomers lack sympathy for the struggling younger generations. Here are 18 once-acceptable practices boomers still advise even though they’ve aged poorly.
Never Taking Time Off
Boomers are the most prominent advocates of workaholism due to old-fashioned ideas about never taking time off. A survey by OnePoll found that 47% of boomer respondents were willing to work through an illness. However, it’s no longer considered a badge of honor to work while sick, overexert yourself, and infect others.
Teaching That Stress Builds Character
Due to a lack of knowledge about mental health conditions, many boomers grew up being taught that stress built character, a lesson they are now trying to impart to younger people. However, while stress is still common, people no longer expect others to suffer to build character and are more empathetic to their struggles.
Disregarding Safety
Boomers often criticize younger people for being ‘snowflakes,’ implying they worry too much and are less resilient. They frequently cite stricter safety rules, such as always wearing seatbelts, parents not letting children play outdoors alone, and increased security. Thankfully, the younger generation knows that there’s nothing cool about disregarding safety.
Bottling Emotions Up
Boomers are notorious for dismissing mental health concerns and telling people to ‘toughen up.’ Luckily, younger generations are demystifying harmful assumptions about therapy and seeking help. Bottling things up contributes to higher depression and anxiety rates, so suppressing negative emotions is very much an outdated concept.
Not Asking For a Raise
People think boomers are out of touch because they frequently compare current society to when they were young. Nowadays, we earn less and pay more, so asking for a raise is perfectly socially acceptable. However, many boomers think this is rude because they’re used to better salaries and lower prices.
Getting Married Young
Millennials and Gen-Z saw their parents and grandparents rush into marriage, making them less likely to get married as young as boomers did. Research published by the National Library of Medicine found that boomers divorce more than any other age group, so the norm of marrying young hasn’t aged well.
Having Lots of Children
Many people want children, but younger generations have fewer or none at all because they simply cannot afford them. Food, clothes, bills, and housing are all more expensive now, so it was easier for boomers to afford lots of children. Having several children is no longer attainable for many younger people.
Shouting at Workers
It’s a common criticism that boomers will unreasonably take their frustrations out on minimum-wage workers, and there’s some truth to it. Boomer society bought into the idea that ‘the customer is always right,’ so they’re more likely to make entitled demands. In contrast, millennials and Gen-Z are firmly against shouting at workers.
Criticizing Other Cultures
Boomers buy into old-school ideas about working hard to protect their country and make it superior to other nations. However, in a world where people frequently travel, learn different languages, and enjoy foreign food, it’s unacceptable to criticize other cultures short-sightedly. Thankfully, many boomers are starting to embrace other cultures more now.
Hating Your Spouse
Whenever we hear an ‘I hate my wife’ joke, we instantly know a boomer made it. That’s because much boomer humor from the ‘70s and ‘80s revolved around unhappy marriages. Nowadays, people focus more on happiness and find it disrespectful to joke about hating your spouse.
Sacrificing Personal Time
Personal time is important to younger generations, especially Generation Z, so the once-acceptable boomer norm of prioritizing work above everything else is outdated. Forbes reports that boomers are known for their work ethic, whereas Gen Z prioritizes a work-life balance. Sacrificing personal time for work is no longer considered impressive.
Shunning Technology
Technology has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, with new features and screens that confuse many boomers. Understandably, they’re tech-resistant because they don’t understand how many new devices work, but while it was once acceptable to avoid embracing technology, it’s now integral to avoid being left behind by society.
Overperforming For No Reward
All generations want to perform well at work, but boomers take particular pride in overperforming to prove their dedication to their employers. Unfortunately, there’s often no reward for overworking, so many young people are ‘quiet quitting,’ refusing to do more than their job description. Working yourself to death has, thankfully, aged poorly.
Saving Most of Your Salary
Having savings is essential for financially protecting yourself, but many people nowadays don’t have that luxury. Boomers were able to save their money for a rainy day, but this practice has, unfortunately, aged poorly in a world where everything now costs so much money. Unfortunately, many boomers are ignorant of these financial barriers.
Applying For Jobs In Person
Nowadays, most jobs are advertised online, so submitting job applications digitally is quicker and easier. However, boomers knew a time before the Internet, so they struggled to adapt and constantly recommended young people apply for jobs by going to the workplace instead. In some cases, this is actually considered to be unprofessional.
Always Going to College
Unfortunately, you can’t simply walk into a career after college the way you could when boomers were younger. Nowadays, many go to college, get into debt, and still struggle to find a good job. It was unthinkable for boomers not to attend college, but that practice isn’t the norm anymore.
Staying Loyal to Bad Employers
Boomers are known for staying in the same job for prolonged periods of time, but this once-acceptable practice doesn’t gel with today’s workforce. Business News Daily reports that millennials and Zoomers who job hop do it to maintain happiness and explore their options. They won’t tolerate abuse from bad employers.
Trusting the Future to Take Care of Itself
Finally, taking such a relaxed approach to the future sounds fantastic, but it’s a privilege younger generations don’t have. Boomers had the financial means to trust the future to take care of itself, a practice that has aged poorly. Sadly, today’s society is one where people must make difficult decisions to nurture uncertain futures.
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