There’s an ongoing generational war between Gen Z and baby boomers. Society has changed since boomers were young, and many claim Gen Z couldn’t handle the world as it used to be. Here are 17 reasons why Gen Z wouldn’t have been able to cope growing up in the Boomer times.
They Rely on the Internet
The Internet was officially launched in 1993. Though it was a boomer invention, Gen Z is the first generation to grow up using it, and boomers believe it’s made them weaker. They rely on it to shape and validate their identities, so they often don’t make up their minds for themselves.
They’re Hypocritical
Gen Z fights for many honorable causes, but they’re sometimes hypocritical. For example, a survey by Vogue Business found that Gen Z is the biggest buyer of fast fashion, despite how unethical it is. They regularly attack boomers for not being eco-friendly in their youth but ignore their own hypocritical anti-environmental tendencies.
They’re More Sensitive
Boomers often criticize both millennials and Gen Z by calling them ‘snowflakes’. This refers to their heightened sensitivity compared to the resilient, self-reliant mentality of the boomer generation. Gen Z is more likely to take offense to off-hand comments that boomers would overlook, and they make sure everybody knows!
Society Easily Listens to Their Demands
The Boomer generation was incredibly active in revolutionizing society, but their contributions are often overlooked. Gen Z believes they’re the first generation to push for radical change; the big difference is that contemporary society is more open to hearing their demands, making it easier for them to do so.
They Can Be Self-Centered
Gen Z is often accused of being self-centered, and that’s mostly because they can afford to be. They didn’t grow up in the post-war U.S. like boomers, so the world today is more stable and comfortable for them. As a result, they’re sometimes ignorant of broader cultural issues and absorbed by their own lives.
They’re Louder
Where boomers are mute and self-restrained, Generation Z is loud. Whether they’re happy, upset, or angry, they will probably broadcast it either in person or on the Internet. Baby boomers were taught to keep their heads down and work through things, but Gen Z takes a very different approach.
They Live Through Social Media
Almost every member of Generation Z is on social media. However, living their lives online has also negatively impacted their mental health. Research by PsyPost found that Gen Z are more likely to create different online personas than boomers and are also more likely to suffer from mental health struggles as a result.
They’re Coddled More
Gen Z is very vocal about the importance of sharing our struggles, which is a good thing, but boomers say they’re often too coddled. The boomer generation grew up being told to ‘pull themselves up by their bootstraps’, so Gen Z is far more indulged and fragile by comparison.
They Dislike Criticism
Boomers are regularly stereotyped as entitled and rude, but Gen Z are typically more likely to take offense to something. They created ‘cancel culture’, which attacks and ostracizes people for things they’ve said or done. Boomers never participated in anything similar, with many saying its because they’re less sensitive to criticism.
They’re Easily Frustrated
It’s understandable to get frustrated when life isn’t going your way, but this seems to be a bigger issue for Gen Z than it ever was for boomers. Whether it’s emotional, financial, professional, or cultural, Gen Z regularly expresses their frustrations with the world, lacking the discretion of boomers.
They Overuse Technology
Technology has advanced so far that it now controls almost everything. This has always been the norm for Gen Z, so they’re heavily reliant on it. Nearly all of Gen Z have phones, and many get anxious or restless when separated from them. Boomers find Gen Z weak for being so addicted to technology.
They’re Angry At the World
Some might say Gen Z has perfectly good reasons for being so angry at the world. Forbes highlights how Gen Z is struggling with social deprivation, lack of sleep, attention fragmentation, and addiction. It doesn’t take much to make them angry, and they express their anger far more than boomers ever have.
They’re Flaky
The modern world is fast-paced, so young people barely focus on one thing before they move on. TikTok culture is a prime example of this. Gen Z becomes obsessed with one viral trend, then drops it as soon as another becomes popular. Boomers pride themselves on being steadfast and loyal, so they’re not impressed by this trait.
They’re Burned Out
Most boomers began their careers at a young age and committed to working their jobs for life. By comparison, Generation Z is already burned out, with many regularly switching jobs or picking up side hustles. Boomers don’t express their dissatisfaction as much, giving the impression they’re made of sturdier stuff.
Their Education is Different
Education has changed so much since boomers were in school. They had to grow up quickly because they were often punished more severely. Having the Internet has also made it much easier for Gen Z to access the necessary information and complete assignments. They don’t understand the educational struggles of the past.
They’re Pessimistic
Gen Z is considered the most pessimistic generation so far. According to Psychology Today, Gen Z is plagued by feelings of doom, powerlessness, and depressive fatalism. They associate everything with death and destruction and are consumed by their own sadness. Boomers find young people far too dramatic.
They Downplay Boomers’ Influence
The boomer generation was responsible for many momentous changes in society, including civil rights activism and the women’s liberation movement, but they’re still portrayed as stuffy, entitled, and selfish. While Gen Z is fighting for change, they frequently downplay boomers’ influence instead of honoring those who came before them.
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