As the baby boomer generation ages and fades away, certain cultural habits and material possessions that were once considered essential may soon become a thing of the past. From covering hardwood floors with carpet to workplace loyalty, affordable housing, and owning physical possessions, the landscape of society is rapidly changing. Recently on an online platform, people have shared several things that may die with boomers and the impact it could have on future generations.
1. Letting Hardwood Floors Shine: A Trend Reversal for Boomers
Hardwood floors are a classic, timeless look that many homeowners covet. However, some boomers have a penchant for covering their hardwood with wall-to-wall carpeting. Once considered chic and fashionable, this trend needs to be updated and revised. Perhaps it was a practical choice back in the day, but now it's time to let the natural beauty of the hardwood shine through.
2. Goodbye Fine China: Minimalism Challenges Excessive Plate Collections
Boomers are known for their love of fine china and fancy dinner parties. This is evident in many of the giant china cabinets in their homes. These cabinets are often filled with extra sets of plates used once or twice a lifetime. While it's understandable to want a nice set of dishes for special occasions, the excessive amount of china and the need to store it in a massive cabinet seems unnecessary in today's world of minimalist living.
3. The Obsolescence of Phone Books: A Sign of Changing Times
Remember when you searched a massive phone book to find a phone number or address? Well, phone books are becoming obsolete with the rise of smartphones and the internet. Boomers are the last generation to rely on phone books truly, and their disappearance is a sign of the changing times.
4. The Death of Traditional Gender Roles: Moving Towards Equality
Boomers grew up in a time when traditional gender roles were the norm. Men were the breadwinners, and women were the homemakers. However, this way of life is slowly dying out as more and more women enter the workforce and take on leadership roles. While some still cling to these old-fashioned ideas, most of society is moving towards a more equal and inclusive future.
5. Fading Away: The Decline of Classic Sitcoms
The era of 60's sitcoms, which brought us beloved shows like “I Love Lucy,” “Bewitched,” and “The Brady Bunch,” is slowly fading away. These shows, once a staple of television, are becoming less and less relevant to younger generations who have grown up with a wide variety of streaming services and online content. While these classic sitcoms may still hold a special place in the hearts of boomers and some Gen Xers, their appeal is waning as younger viewers seek more diverse and inclusive programming.
6. The End of Workplace Loyalty: Prioritizing Flexibility and Balance
Workplace loyalty, or the concept of employees staying with a single company for their entire career, is a tradition that has been dying for years. With the gig economy on the rise and workers seeking higher pay and better benefits, loyalty to a company has become less common. This trend will likely continue as younger generations prioritize job flexibility and work-life balance over company loyalty.
7. Affordable Housing: A Dying Trend with Boomers
Affordable housing is another issue that has been dying with the boomer generation. Rising housing costs have made it difficult for younger generations to afford homes, especially in major cities. As a result, many millennials and Gen Zers are choosing to rent or live with roommates instead of buying a home.
8. Timeshares: A Declining Vacation Option
Once a popular vacation option for boomers, Timeshares are also on their way out. Younger generations are less interested in committing to a single vacation spot and are more likely to choose affordable travel options like hostels or budget-friendly hotels.
9. From Snowy Walks to Car Rides: The Decline of Walking to School
Walking to and from school, miles in the snow, was once a common experience for many boomers. However, concerns over safety and the rise of suburban living have made it less common for younger generations. With more parents driving their children to school or opting for remote learning, this trend will likely continue.
10. Ownership vs. Subscription: The Trend Towards Renting and Borrowing
Finally, actually owning stuff and not just “subscribing” to it is a trend that is dying with the boomer generation. With the rise of subscription-based services like Netflix and Spotify, younger generations are less interested in owning physical media like DVDs and CDs. This trend has extended beyond media to other goods like clothing and furniture as younger generations opt for renting or borrowing instead of owning.
11. Casual Dress Code Takes Over
According to a keen observer, suits may soon be a thing of the past in the workplace. As most workstations have already abandoned them, those still requiring suits will likely follow suit once the baby boomers retire. The trendsetter predicts that younger generations will demand a more comfortable and casual dress code as they take over the workforce.
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12. Death of Newspapers
As a media expert ponders the future, newspapers are among the things that will fade away with the baby boomer generation. Though once a household staple, digital media has made newspapers less appealing to younger generations. The pro admits to only glancing at a newspaper during a flight and considering subscribing to their local paper but has yet to follow through. The decline of print media and the rise of online news sources may spell the end for newspapers.
13. Checkbooks Become Obsolete
A finance guru foresees the death of checkbooks with the baby boomer generation. They point out that checkbooks are already on the decline as people shift towards online banking and mobile payment options. The expert has not used a checkbook in years and doubts they will ever need to again. They believe that checkbooks will become obsolete as younger generations become consumers.
14. Figurines: A Dying Hobby
Collectible figurines, such as Hummel, may not survive the baby boomer generation, according to a collector. While these figurines were once popular, younger generations are not interested in them. The enthusiast has seen many of these figurines at garage sales and thrift stores, where they fetch little money. The collector predicts that as the baby boomers disappear, so will interest in these figurines.
15. Landlines Going Extinct
A tech-savvy individual predicts the end of landlines with the baby boomer generation. With cell phones becoming more affordable and accessible, many people opt to use their smartphones as their primary means of communication. Landline phones are seen as outdated and unnecessary, particularly by younger generations who have grown up with mobile devices as their primary communication tool.
16. Cable Tv's Demise
Cable TV is facing its demise, according to a media enthusiast, who predicts that it will die alongside the baby boomer generation. With the emergence of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, younger generations have already cut the cord and embraced online streaming. The critic highlights that cable TV is increasingly expensive and harder to justify, given the cheaper and more convenient alternatives that are readily available.
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17. End of Crystal Cabinets
The minimalist movement foresees the extinction of the tradition of owning and displaying crystal cabinets filled with fine glassware and china, which will vanish with the baby boomer generation. Younger generations prefer functional designs with less emphasis on accumulating expensive and ornate items for display. The critic also points out that modern homes need more formal living spaces typical in older homes, making the need for a crystal cabinet even less relevant.
18. Marriage in Decline
According to a self-discovery expert, the concept of marrying before the age of 30, or even getting married at all, is slowly fading away with the baby boomer generation. They note that the pressure to marry at a young age has reduced, and people are now more focused on personal and professional growth. With the rise of independence and individualism, marriage is becoming more of a personal choice rather than a societal expectation.
19. Burials on the Verge
According to an eco-conscious advocate, burials are on the verge of extinction, who believes that cremations and other environmentally friendly methods of disposing of corpses, such as using the body to grow a tree, will become more popular due to ethical, economic, and environmental concerns. The critic notes that cemeteries may no longer remain viable in the future.
20. WWII Memories: Will They Last?
As the baby boomer generation passes away, another user expressed concern that the collective memory of World War II and its impact on the world would disappear with them. The user fears that future generations may fail to appreciate the sacrifices made during the war and even mistake historical events for fictionalized movie versions. The user recognizes the importance of preserving the memories of this pivotal moment in history to ensure that the lessons learned from it are not forgotten.
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Non-Americans Admit They Were Shocked To Discover Americans Keep These Things In Their Homes
Have you ever wondered what foreigners think about the things Americans keep in their homes? Well, wonder no more! Recently on an online platform, non-Americans have shared some different things they have noticed that Americans tend to have in their homes. From popcorn settings on microwaves to fridges with built-in ice dispensers, it's a fascinating glimpse into American home life from an outsider's perspective.
Source:Â Reddit
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