Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X & Boomers Have Completely Different Ideas Of How Their Weekends Should Be Spent
K-FK | ShutterstockWeekends are such a normal part of life that it’s hard to understand why the two days off that we’re used to now didn’t become the standard until the 1930s.
Over a century ago, people had different opinions about what the weekend should be like and why we should have it. Nobody has to justify having weekends now, but different generations still disagree about the purpose of the weekend.
The generations can't seem to agree on the best way to spend a weekend:
Young people usually look at the weekend as the time they get to do whatever they want each week. Older generations don’t necessarily disagree with that, but they take certain obligations more seriously that give them a stricter weekend schedule.
Boomers want a break on the weekends, but they don’t relax quite as much as younger generations do.
The baby boomer generation has become so well known for their strong work ethic that it almost feels like a cliché at this point. Still, they’re hard workers who don’t mind putting in long hours at the office.
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Although they aren’t as cookie-cutter as some people try to say they are, boomers do have some traditional values. They have always prioritized family life, and over half are members of a church. All of this has shaped their weekends in a big way.
Boomers definitely want a break from work on the weekends, and they appreciate being able to spend that time with the family they don’t see as much during the week. But because they care about going to church and being active in their communities, they aren’t just sitting around on Saturday and Sunday either.
Gen X’s weekends are all about the balance between responsibility and rest.
Work-life balance is vitally important to Gen X, so they take weekends seriously. They don’t overwork during the week, but they treasure having two days devoted to resting and recharging.
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Gen X doesn’t get to spend their weekends however they want to, though. They’ve been nicknamed the sandwich generation because many of them are taking care of their elderly parents and their kids at the same time. They often use the weekends to catch up on those responsibilities.
Balance seems like a good way to describe what Gen X aims for in all areas of life, not just work. Even when they’re off the clock, they still have things to do and people to take care of. They’ve found a way to make their weekends a time to have fun while also giving family duties more attention than they get during the week.
Millennials use the weekends to take care of themselves.
The lifestyle millennials have is different from previous generations. They aren’t as traditional and family-oriented overall. They have friends and family they love and enjoy spending time with on the weekends, but their world doesn’t revolve around that in the same way.
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Instead, millennials are really into self-care. They like to romanticize life and do little things that make them feel better, but not in a superficial way. This probably comes from the emphasis they place on mental health. Weekends are the perfect time for them to engage in self-care.
Millennials are also the first generation to grow up with the internet, which has given them access to more entertainment options from home. That can be useful, but they can also get caught up in thinking they need to document their weekends online. This level of social media comparison is rarely a good thing.
Gen Z splits their weekends pretty evenly between having fun and staying home.
It would make sense for Gen Z to be the most progressive out of all adult generations, but that isn’t a totally accurate description. They like hanging out with their parents more than millennials. They’re also spending more time alone because of the way technology has changed social interactions.
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One distinct difference about Gen Z is what they choose to spend their money on when they do go out. They fully support the idea that experiences are worth more than things, which shapes how they spend their weekends. Instead of going shopping, they’re more likely to go to a concert.
When Gen Z isn’t out making memories, they tend to be homebodies. They prefer to be around the people who are closest to them and make weekends a chance to get quality time in. They don’t hang out with just anyone.
Mary-Faith Martinez is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism who covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics.
