Boomers & Gen X Are Not Impressed With 9 Things Millennials & Gen Z Often Brag About
Dean Drobot / ShutterstockNow that their children and grandchildren are becoming adults, baby boomers and Gen X can’t understand why they are so focused on many of the things they view as critically important.
When they were the same age as millennials and Gen Z are now, raising a family and climbing the corporate ladder were key priorities, but younger generations are more fixated on social media metrics and bouncing from job to job until they find something they’re passionate about. It’s a completely different world, and boomers and Gen X aren’t at all impressed by much of what Gen Z loves to brag about.
Boomers and Gen X aren’t at all impressed with these things millennials and Gen Z seem to love bragging about
1. Social media metrics
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Social media means everything to millennials and Gen Z. It’s become their lifeline to the world around them. They communicate with their friends through the apps and have even found ways to turn their online presence into a business venture. Without social media, they would lose much of their lifestyle.
People who care about their social media accounts are obsessed with the likes and follows they get. To them, it’s a sign they’re popular and well-liked, and could eventually become their job. They may brag about these stats to their older loved ones, who scratch their head at the numbers. Their real-life relationships come first, not their digital ones. Why should they care how many likes someone else is getting? It doesn’t affect them, and they likely don’t understand it.
2. Gentle parenting
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Gentle parenting is all the rage with the younger generations. Growing up with strict boomer or Gen X parents may have led them to take a softer approach with their own children. This means they rarely yell or discipline their children and instead try to foster a safe space to take in the world around them. Older generations don’t get it, because they were raised completely differently.
Boomers and Gen X may be on to something. Some believe that gentle parenting puts too much stress on the caregivers, leaving them feeling guilty and ashamed when things go wrong. It leads to unrealistic expectations that can bring stress and anxiety.
3. Having the latest technology
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We’ve all heard the term ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ This is how some older generations view technology. They’re not going to get the latest iPhone or Apple gadget just because. One study found that nearly 90% of smartphone users trade up when a new product launches, but older generations might resist this change or refuse to switch over to smartphones entirely.
Technology is a rather new invention to them, while younger generations grew up with the internet and gadgets. When the newest item launches, the hype behind it makes them feel like they have to have it. Once they snag it, the bragging begins, which often makes no sense to boomers and Gen X.
4. Following every trend
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I have a wonderful group of friends in my neighborhood. We spend time together often, and we come from a range of different generations. My Gen X friend is always asking me about trends and has no idea why people follow them. She grew up when very specific things were cool, and she still values them. She’s not into TikTok or following fashion trends. She wears her favorite jeans and flannel every time we hang out.
Generational conflict has always existed. Older generations always shake their fists at the younger ones, completely confused by their behavior and interests. It’s not surprising that boomers and Gen X don’t understand what millennials and Gen Z find trendy.
5. Hustle culture
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The older generations, especially boomers, grew up in a different economy. Boomers grew up during the best financial times and have become the richest generation because of it. While they were in the workforce, they worked hard, but once they clocked out, their day was over. They got to go home, kick up their feet, and watch TV with their families. Now, younger generations can’t support themselves on one paycheck alone and have to ‘hustle’ to pay the bills.
This causes some people to take on more than one job. Maybe they come home from their full-time job and jump into food or grocery delivery. Or, they walk dogs after a long day for a little extra cash. They rarely have time to relax.
6. Getting praise for the bare minimum
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We’ve all heard older generations call the younger ones the participation trophy generation. They believe that they created an environment where they expect praise, even when they aren’t doing anything extraordinary. When they were younger, they had to work hard to gain praise and respect from the people around them. They didn’t expect it; they earned it.
Now, they may become frustrated with their millennial or Gen Z children and grandchildren expecting attention for silly things. They may brag about average life experiences, thinking they’re special. They may catch their elders rolling their eyes, confused about why they thought they’d be impressed.
7. Creating an aesthetic life
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People are curating their lives like never before. When boomers and Gen X were growing up, there wasn’t TikTok to encourage them to live life aesthetically. Younger generations are picking a signature color palette, decorating their homes in a specific way, and following specific lifestyle trends. I know I can picture the aesthetic of each of my friends. I will say, it does make getting them gifts much easier.
This likely doesn’t make sense to the older groups. Sure, they had fashion and music choices that they followed, but it was a different time. People weren’t always centering their lives around a certain look they wanted to portray to everyone else.
8. Recording every aspect of their day
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Everyone wants to have the next viral moment. When their social media presence explodes, it can change their lives. They receive more financial opportunities and are launched into the spotlight. Younger generations find this bit of fame extremely appealing. Who doesn’t want to ditch their day job to be an influencer? Boomers and Gen X, maybe.
If you scroll on TikTok or Instagram for a few seconds, someone's ‘day in the life vlog’ will come up. This person records every aspect of their life, from the moment they wake up until the second they go to sleep. Older generations don’t understand why people want a camera in their face 24/7, even if it could lead to fame and fortune. They are worried about the consequences these videos could bring, while millennials and Gen Z likely won’t think about being canceled until they are.
9. Jumping around from job to job
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Older generations were more likely to be loyal to their employers. They thought by sticking around they would move up the corporate ladder and eventually become their own boss. Sometimes, this did happen.
However, the working environment has changed. Younger generations aren’t willing to put up with toxic bosses or the hierarchies boomers find essential. Instead, they’ll hop from one job to the next until they find something they are passionate about. Sometimes, working hard doesn’t pay off the way boomers and Gen X think. Millennials and Gen Z are willing to take a chance and find a new job that would treat them better.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
