Boomers are those people who were born between 1946 and 1964. While they have long been a cultural force, the younger generation has made them a target of their frustration. This resentment is not without any reason, as it stems from a complex web of both social and economic factors. Let’s have a look at them:
1. Economic Disparities
Boomers have benefited greatly from some highly beneficial economic opportunities that may not be available now. These included the post-war economic boom, education at affordable rates, and increased property values. This allowed them to accumulate wealth, unlike later generations, who had to face many financial challenges due to inflation.
2. Resistance to Change
Those belonging to the boomer category can not adapt to change quickly, especially the shift towards progressive views on race, gender, and sexuality. Basically, they are more conservative and prefer sticking to their values, which might not sit right with the liberal modern generation, who’s too serious about advancing these causes.
3. Healthcare Resources
Another reason for resentment towards boomers is their increased age, which requires more healthcare resources. It can potentially strain the public health systems. Consequently, there might be fewer services available for youngsters. This unfair distribution may lead to frustration among this group, and it’s typically common in areas with underfunded hospitals and clinics.
4. Public Spending Priorities
During the boomer years, the government allotted a huge fund that focused on improving infrastructure and other similar aspects that benefited them a lot. However, as the period of the modern generation approached, issues like climate change and technological innovation became prominent. Thus, the priority of the government shifted to addressing them.
5. Resource Consumption
The era of boomers saw abundant resources, which were also quite cheap to afford. Also, they freely utilized them without thinking about the sustainability concerns at all. This is a major reason why young individuals may not feel good about boomers, as their lack of foresight during that time has led them to face environmental crises like climate change and resource scarcity.
6. Legacy Expectations
Boomers have traditional expectations from younger ones regarding every area of their life, be it career, home, or other life milestones. They may try to impose them, which is, of course, not acceptable to today’s generation as their economic and social realities are completely different. This pressure can lead to a significant gap and serves as a major reason why so many people feel resentment towards boomers.
7. Retirement Insecurity
The retirement scenario back in the times of boomers was quite secure, and now, they can enjoy their lives without any financial worries, thanks to company pensions. However, this may not be the situation with modern generations as they have to rely on fluctuating market-based retirement plans like 401(k). It develops a sense of injustice in younger lads, making them feel bitter about boomers.
8. Technological Disruption
Boomers worked in the times when technology was not involved in their workplaces. They even benefited from stable career paths due to this reason. Contrarily, the latest generation has to witness the volatile nature of job markets due to technological innovation. It requires them to continuously update their skills to thrive financially, which is something boomers did not have to do.
9. Mental Health Stigma
Boomers grew up in an environment where understanding of mental health issues was quite limited. They were also stigmatized. So, now, such individuals struggle to accept this, while the younger generation is more open to embracing the importance of mental health. This difference in the thought process is what has built a huge wall between people of both eras.
10. Financial Market Instability
People often consider boomers responsible for practicing such financial habits that led to economic issues of the current age. It is specifically linked to the 2008 financial crisis and youngsters who entered the job market shortly after it fell victim. The economic instability and uncertainty made it difficult for them to earn and save.
11. Urban planning
The era of boomers is often linked to that of extensive suburban development and reliance on automobile transportation. Due to this, there was a significant decline in public transportation options, which had social and environmental implications that the future generations had to bear. It includes increased pollution and reduced community cohesion, to be precise.
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12. Retirement Age Rigidity
Boomers tend to work for a longer period, retiring at a high age. It could be either due to necessity or choice. However, whatever the reason, this can be a huge bottleneck for youngsters, depriving them of potential employment opportunities for senior positions. This resistance of boomers to not retiring at a suitable age can build frustration among young workers.
13. Media Representation
Today’s media also has a major role in making everyone hate boomers. For instance, this generation is often portrayed in movies as someone who is constantly out of touch with modern trends and technology. Moreover, even social media memes and viral content like hashtag #OkBooomer have stereotyped boomers for their perceived failings or old-fashioned views.
14. Hypocrisy
Many young people regard boomers as hypocrites as they think this generation does not practice what they preach. One such example is that while boomers always talk about hard work, they did not have to do that themselves. It was majorly because their era benefited from more affordable and accessible education, housing, healthcare, and other essentials.
15. Wage Stagnation
Boomers began working when economic growth peaked, which led to higher wages. However, as the younger ones grew up and started finding jobs, they faced wage stagnation. Even when productivity significantly increased, the wages were not enough to match the higher inflation rates. Youngers often blame boomer leadership for this issue, as such corporate practices were developed during this time.
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