Baby Boomers are now entering their twilight years and can find today’s cultural and societal trends strange, unnecessary, or even offensive! They grew up during a vastly different era, from the 1950s to the 1970s, and while they embraced change back then, certain modern habits and popular activities don’t resonate with them at all. Here are 18 such trends Boomers refuse to join in with.
Reality TV
The explosion of reality television in the late 1990s promised authenticity but typically used manufactured drama, sensationalism, and voyeurism to captivate audiences. Boomers never really accepted the premise, perhaps because they were raised to respect privacy and value genuine human connections. Many find reality TV too shallow and contrived.
Body Modification
According to Statista, Millennials have the most piercings, tattoos, and cosmetic enhancements, while Boomers are the most likely to regret having a tattoo. Body modifications tend to be most prevalent among younger generations, and older people are typically hesitant to permanently alter their bodies—they often favor traditional ‘looks’ and fear adverse health effects.
Social Media Obsession
Boomers aren’t necessarily against social media, but most don’t embrace it like young people do. While they may enjoy communicating with family, sharing photos, and reading news articles, most older people focus on face-to-face interactions and real-life experiences. They aren’t often found checking their Instagram page or fretting about the number of ‘likes’ on their latest video!
Ghosting
Cambridge Dictionary defines ghosting as “a way of ending a relationship with someone suddenly by stopping all communication with them.” Even if Boomers know what ghosting is, they’re unlikely to approve of or engage in it. They often use more open, honest communication and typically favor a more mature and direct approach to ending a relationship.
Fast Fashion
The emphasis on cheap, disposable garments within the fast fashion industry doesn’t sit well with many Boomers. They were raised in a post-war era that emphasized quality, long-lasting clothing that could be repaired, altered, and even passed down to others. Many find the rapid turnover of trendy clothing unnecessarily wasteful and fickle.
Influencer Culture
Influencers are a truly modern phenomenon—born of social media, they promote unrealistic lifestyles and maintain overly fake and flawless online personas to entertain and ‘influence’ impressionable young minds. Boomers tend to find the idea ridiculous and believe people should focus on hard work and those around them, not superficial pseudo-celebrities.
Excessive Consumerism
After the austerity of the war years, Boomers witnessed the rise of consumerism and the pressure to constantly acquire new possessions and invest in upgrades. Although they value a comfortable lifestyle, they tend to be more resistant to excessive, frivolous spending than young people and may keep objects or appliances for many years so long as they still function.
Cancel Culture
So-called “cancel culture” involves ostracizing or boycotting a celebrity or public figure for past mistakes or controversial opinions. It can be a powerful social tool against discrimination and other negative behavior. Many Boomers’ find this brutal, unforgiving punishment excessively harsh, and many highlight the moral benefits of forgiveness and second chances.
Hyper-Partisanship
Our political and social landscapes are becoming increasingly polarized, and there is often a near-tribal mentality of “us vs. them,” which denies groups the chance to find common ground, work together, or make compromises. Boomers can find this frustrating and disillusioning, remembering a time of more bipartisan cooperation and more consistent progress.
The Gig Economy
Many Boomers find the concept of temporary, freelance work (often online) strange and unpredictable. They usually value traditional careers with associated perks and near-guaranteed job security. Most older people worry that the gig economy is suspiciously ‘easy’ and unstable and may encourage their friends and loved ones to have more reliable, old-school careers.
Cryptocurrency
While some Boomers do dabble in crypto and blockchain technology, many remain cautious about its volatile nature and the lack of global regulation. The Motley Fool reports that the market is dominated by Millenials, who own 43% of all cryptocurrency, whereas Boomers only have an 8% share. Older people tend to trust established banks and more traditional investments.
Online Dating
When Boomers first started dating, even ‘lonely heart’ advertisements in newspapers weren’t a thing, and they now find the concept of scrolling through potential dates online odd and impersonal. While younger daters love the convenience and efficiency of dating apps, most older folks prefer to meet romantic interests more organically, e.g., at social gatherings or via introduction.
Gender Neutrality
The growing emphasis on gender neutrality and the blurring of traditional genders and roles can be confusing or uncomfortable for Boomers, who grew up in a more black-and-white world of men and women in predominantly heterosexual partnerships. This can make it difficult for gender-neutral individuals to successfully explain their personal identity to older people.
“Woke” Culture
Koktail Media describes “woke” culture as an awareness of racism and discrimination and a pushback against traditional social views on gender, skin color, religion, and LGBTQ lifestyles. Even if they agree, Boomers often find the activism and political correctness involved to be too sensitive or dramatic, preferring less vocal and confrontational approaches to address social ills.
Body Positivity
What could be wrong with loving the skin you’re in? Well, some Boomers find the idea of blanket acceptance, even for unhealthy or undesirable body types, a negative aspect of modern society. Many hold more traditional ideas about beauty standards as a result of growing up in a less inclusive society. Such ingrained ideals can seem superficial and restrictive to younger people.
Vaping
Despite growing up in a time when cigarettes and public smoking were commonplace, Boomers have concerns about the prevalence of vaping and its popularity among younger generations. Although the potential long-term health risks of e-cigarettes remain largely unknown, older people prefer caution and are often distrustful of these modern, nicotine-supplying devices.
Gender Reveal Parties
YouGov says that two-thirds of millennials and Gen-Xers are interested in an unborn baby’s gender, but only 46% of Boomers are. Older people can find the act of revealing a baby’s sex with a grand, sensational gesture too showy and contrived. They tend to be more practical and were raised when most expectant parents had to wait until a child was born to reveal its gender.
Subscription Box Culture
Subscription boxes offer specially selected surprise products in various categories and are becoming increasingly popular as a way for young people to send themselves gifts and feel pampered. However, Boomers often see this as wasteful and frivolous consumerism and a surefire way to gain unwanted clutter at great expense!
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