Perhaps no other generation is as widely criticized and disliked as the Boomers are. That helps explain why the phrase “OK, Boomer” caught on so quickly and went viral. So, what is behind all the animosity?
And how much of it is fair? Is this criticism justified, or are we just using them as a convenient scapegoat?
Let’s see…
Pulling the Ladder up Behind Them
Every generation has a ladder to climb, one that leads to security and prosperity. The rap on Boomers is that after they climbed the ladder, they pulled it up behind them to make it harder for others to follow.
Accusing Others of Feeling Entitled
Boomers love to accuse younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, of entitlement. However, Boomers grew up in a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity and didn’t have to work too hard for their status.
Hanging On Past Their Due
If you’ve noticed that a lot of business executives and politicians are way past the retirement age, you’re not alone. By clinging to the reins of power far longer than they should have, they’ve cheated ensuing generations, especially X, who are now closing in on their 60s and still feeling they never got their chance.
Hypocrisy
The people most likely to direct the “Up by your bootstraps” mantra against others are Boomers. Ironically, they had few roadblocks in their way, except maybe serving in Vietnam, which many of the privileged among them found ways to avoid.
Selfishness
There’s also a lot of “I got mine” among Boomers. Even as they age out, they won’t relinquish their power and privilege, and they don’t want there to be a path for others to get where they did. They just want it all until their last breath.
Making College Unaffordable
Most colleges were cheap when Boomers were at that age. Some were even free. Graduating with crippling student debt was uncommon. After Boomers took over the reins of colleges and universities, costs began to soar to the point that huge debt is now an expectation.
Not Learning the Lessons of Vietnam
The carnage and senselessness of the Vietnam War tore the nation apart in the 1960s and 70s. Since the Boomers were young adults then, you’d think they’d have learned some good lessons. Instead, when they were in charge, they continued sending other people’s kids to spurious conflicts with ill-defined goals at the great cost of blood and treasure.
Exploding the National Debt While Keeping Their Taxes Low
The national debt began to get out of control in the 1980s, and it’s only gotten worse as Boomers came to dominate the government. One of the best ways to tackle deficits is to raise taxes on those who can afford it. But the Boomers, as the currently wealthiest generation, would never raise their taxes and have often voted to cut them.
Wrecking Social Security
When Social Security began, most people didn’t live too long past 65, so the system wasn’t under much strain. Life expectancy is much longer now, and that’s great! However, Boomers, who control most of the country’s wealth, largely refuse to entertain any reforms that might affect them and keep the system solvent for ensuing generations.
Blaming Everyone Else for the Country’s Problems
The Boomers seem to love blaming everyone else, especially Millennials and Gen X, for letting the country go, as they see it, down the drain. Question: who’s been in charge and had the power to change things all this time?
Having a Superiority Complex
People with wealth and power looking down on others is nothing new in human history. Right now, there’s a lot of that among Boomers since they’re the wealthiest group and still have the most influence over politics and policy.
Criticizing the Generations They Raised
It’s common to hear Boomers rag on younger people for being soft, lazy, etc. Since Boomers raised huge numbers of Gen Xers and Millennials and even some Gen Zers, shouldn’t they get the lion’s share of the blame for how those kids turned out or how they perceive they did?
Bad Advice Based on How Things Used to Be
Willful ignorance and basing present decisions on past realities are common critiques of Boomers. There are lots of articles out there about useless advice Boomers impart, useless because it’s based on a world that ceased to exist decades ago.
Benefiting From the Past and Then Voting to Undo It
Policies enacted during the New Deal and later helped pave the path to prosperity for the people born into the Boomers. Then, a lot of those Boomers grew up, got into power, and tried to undo the very policies that gave them a leg up.
Doing Nothing About Climate Change
In general, Millennials and Gen Zers take climate change very seriously and truly worry about it. While they can address it on the margins, it’s the Boomers who still hold most of the power and, therefore, the ability to make a meaningful difference before it’s too late. And they haven’t.
19 Cultural and Behavioral Differences Between Gen Z and Millennials
Each generation brings its unique set of cultural and behavioral differences. Gen Z and millennials, two distinct generations, have grown up in contrasting times, shaping their values, preferences, and attitudes.
Here are 19 key differences between Gen Z and millennials:
19 Cultural and Behavioral Differences Between Gen Z and Millennials
15 Common Boomer Opinions Non-Boomers Actually Agree With
Boomers often get a rap for being old cranks with outdated views and opinions. That doesn’t mean all their opinions are wrong or behind the times, though. Sometimes, they’re spot on, and plenty of younger people see eye-to-eye with them.
Following are some notable examples.
15 Common Boomer Opinions Non-Boomers Actually Agree With
15 Surprising Things Millennials and Boomers Actually Agree On
Boomers get stereotyped for complaining about how bad everything is, but sometimes they have a point. What things are you “I’m with the Boomers” on? Internet users shared their thoughts.
15 Surprising Things Millennials and Boomers Actually Agree On