If a Boomer tells you to “just get a job,” you know they’re out of touch. If they dismiss your struggles with a casual “back in my day,” you feel they’re insensitive.
Welcome to the generation gap.
But it’s not always as simple as that. In reality, the generational divide is a complex maze that requires quite an effort to navigate and understand.
Some Boomers, however, seem to have a harder time than others. And that could be because they often do these eight specific things that strike younger people as highly insensitive.
Above is the introduction written for an article titled “8 things boomers do that come across as highly insensitive to younger people”.
1) Dismissing the struggles of the younger generation
Boomers have been there, done that, right?
They’ve lived through wars, economic recessions, and changes that we can’t even begin to imagine. So, when they hear about the struggles we face today, it’s easy for them to wave it off with a dismissive “back in my day.”
But here’s the thing – it’s not their day anymore.
The world has changed, and so have the challenges. The cost of living has skyrocketed, the job market has become increasingly competitive, and mental health issues are on the rise.
These aren’t things you can just brush under the carpet.
So when Boomers dismiss the struggles of the younger generation, it comes across as highly insensitive. It’s as if they’re saying that our problems aren’t valid because they had it worse.
But comparison isn’t the answer. Understanding is. And that’s something we can all work on, regardless of which generation we belong to.
2) Expecting younger people to follow traditional career paths
I remember when I first told my Boomer aunt that I wanted to be a digital nomad.
She looked at me like I’d grown a second head, then laughed and said, “That’s not a real job. You need to think about your future. You can’t just float around doing whatever you want.”
I was taken aback. To her, the only real jobs were ones that involved a nine-to-five schedule, a corner office, and a retirement plan.
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The idea of me working from different parts of the world while doing something I loved was not only alien to her but also irresponsible in her eyes.
Her dismissal of my career choice felt insensitive. It was as if she didn’t trust me to make my own decisions or understand the consequences of those choices.
That’s another thing Boomers often do – they expect younger people to follow traditional career paths and disregard the evolving job market and our personal ambitions.
3) Lack of technological understanding
Here’s a reality check – the average smartphone today has more computing power than all of NASA when they put the first men on the moon.
The digital age has rocketed forward while some Boomers have been left behind, trying to figure out how to send an email or use an emoji.
It might seem amusing at times, but when it leads to assumptions about younger people being glued to their screens or wasting time on social media, it becomes a problem.
Many Boomers don’t seem to grasp that being proficient with technology is no longer an option; it’s a necessity.
And yes, while we do spend time scrolling through Instagram or playing online games, we also use technology for learning, working, and connecting with others around the world.
So their lack of technological understanding sometimes comes off as insensitive and dismissive of the digital world we navigate daily.
4) Overgeneralizing and stereotyping the younger generation
Not all Millennials are lazy. Not every Gen Z is addicted to their phones.
These are phrases we find ourselves saying far too often. While it’s true that every generation has its unique traits and trends, Boomers often fall into the trap of overgeneralizing and stereotyping the younger generation.
Labelling us as entitled, lazy, or self-absorbed based on the actions of a few is not only unfair, but it also disregards the diversity and individuality within our generations.
It’s like saying all Boomers are technologically inept – which we know isn’t true!
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This tendency to stereotype comes off as insensitive and shows a lack of willingness to understand the younger generation on a deeper level.
5) Undermining the importance of mental health
“You’re just overthinking.” “Why don’t you just snap out of it?” “In our day, we didn’t have time for all this anxiety and depression.”
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard these phrases from Boomers in my life. Growing up in a time where mental health was largely misunderstood, many Boomers undermine its importance in today’s world.
But I’ve seen firsthand how debilitating mental health issues can be. I’ve seen friends struggle with anxiety and depression, and I’ve felt the weight of stress and burnout myself.
Mental health is as important as physical health, and it’s high time we all understood that. It’s not something one can snap out of, and it certainly isn’t something to be brushed off lightly.
When Boomers undermine the importance of mental health, it feels highly insensitive to those of us who understand its significance.
6) Oversharing personal advice
Advice can be a wonderful thing. It can provide guidance, offer a fresh perspective, and even help solve problems. But there’s a thin line between being helpful and being intrusive, and many Boomers tend to cross it.
When Boomers share their personal advice – unasked for – it can feel like they’re imposing their way of life onto us. It’s as if they’re saying, “This is how I did it, so this is how you should do it.”
But here’s the thing – what worked for them might not work for us. Each generation faces its unique set of challenges and opportunities, and we need to find our own way to navigate them.
While their intentions might be good, the unsolicited advice often comes off as insensitive and dismissive of our ability to make our own decisions.
7) Belittling the value of new-age professions
YouTube star? Social media influencer? Are these even real jobs?
If you’ve chosen a non-traditional career path, you’ve probably heard these questions a few times from the Boomer generation. They grew up in an era where the most respected professions were doctors, lawyers, and engineers.
So, it’s hard for them to wrap their heads around the idea that one can make a living by creating content online or managing social media platforms.
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This disbelief often leads to belittling the value of new-age professions, making it seem like they’re not ‘real’ jobs.
Such attitudes can be highly insensitive and dismissive of the hard work and creativity that go into these professions.
We live in a digital age, and it’s high time everyone acknowledged and respected that.
8) Ignoring the environmental concerns of the younger generation
Climate change is real. Global warming is happening. The Earth, our home, is suffering.
These are not just alarmist statements; they’re scientific facts. The younger generation has taken up the mantle to fight for our planet, but many Boomers seem oblivious or indifferent to these environmental concerns.
Their lack of understanding or unwillingness to acknowledge the gravity of these issues can be highly insensitive. It’s not just about their world anymore; it’s about the world they’re leaving behind for us and future generations.
Final thoughts
If you’ve journeyed with us till here, you would have realized that this isn’t about a generational blame game. It’s about understanding and empathy.
Because the generational divide isn’t a chasm that can’t be bridged. It’s simply a gap that requires open minds and listening ears on both sides.
And remember, it’s not about who had it worse or who has it easier. It’s about acknowledging the different challenges each generation faces, and the unique ways they navigate them.
As American author Stephen R. Covey once said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
If we all tried a little harder to understand each other, rather than just waiting for our turn to speak, perhaps we could foster more sensitivity and less insensitivity, regardless of our age or generation.
Let’s start bridging that gap.
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