4 Things Boomers Were Expected To Do As Kids That Nobody Teaches Anymore, According To Experts
Some believe how they were raised wired their brains differently.
Getty Images | UnsplashAccording to popular discourse, Boomers did too much, Gen-X did nothing, Millennials didn't do enough, and everyone younger does things way too differently. Comparing the generations often leads to division in the name of better understanding. We end in concentric circles and point fingers at each other with tear-stained cheeks.
Yet what makes humans incredible is the ability to change, adapt, advance, and grow as collectives and societies. Our differences are our benefit, and our diversity promotes survival. When generations explore their core truths, struggles, basic needs, and shared emotions, it binds us in a harmonic dance of mutual dependence and benefit.
Experts discuss 4 things Boomers were expected to do as kids that nobody teaches anymore:
1. Boomers were expected to entertain themselves, even when they were bored
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Psychologist Rachel Needle points out one thing Baby Boomers were expected to do as kids, but that’s far less common today: entertaining themselves without adult guidance or constant supervision. Boredom was seen as a catalyst for creativity, not a problem to be solved.
Many Boomers grew up with the unspoken expectation that they should ‘go outside and figure it out.’ Today’s children often have more structured schedules, screens, and adult involvement in play. While there are benefits to both approaches, we’ve lost some of the opportunities for kids to build independence and imagination through unstructured time.
2. Boomers learned life skills just by helping their parents
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Learning essential life skills by watching and doing alongside parents is something Dr. Gloria Brame acknowledges as a trait of Boomers when they were growing up. Dr. Brame spent almost every weekend helping her mother shop for food, prep meals, clean the house, and wash and iron clothes. Her father often recruited her to help him make minor repairs or hand-wash the car.
To this day, she thinks of her father when repairing a drain or installing a bookshelf! The experience of working side-by-side with her parents made her feel like a more important part of the family. If they said she did a good job, it made her even happier. These weren't special lessons - they were typical, built-in life lessons for Boomers.
Today's kids often rely more on Google and YouTube, but there's no substitute for parents teaching and praising efforts. It lifts you, creates a special bond, and gives you confidence that you can handle life's practical challenges!
3. Boomers were taught to address adults as Mr. or Mrs.
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Life coach Ellen Kamaras says setting and respecting boundaries is a critical parenting skill, and creating a boundary of respect as regards the adults in a child's life was a way parents taught their boomer children about boundaries.
In this regard, Moms and Dads could use a reminder to give each other physical space for their respective jobs and space and time to practice self-care. Avoid putting your phone on speaker and use your headsets for meetings. Mom may need time to call a good friend, go for a walk by herself, or put her feet up. Dad may want to do financial planning or watch a favorite show. Respectfully, boundaries for Boomers often began by using honorific titles.
4. Boomers were expected to write things by hand
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As Boomers grew up, Life Coach Sidhharrth S. Kumaar explains how people wrote thank-you cards, letters to pen pals, and updates to family members on paper, sealed them up, and sent them.
Will Curtis is YourTango's expert editor. Will has over 14 years of experience as an editor covering relationships, spirituality, and human interest topics.
