Boomers and Gen Z are different in so many ways. Sometimes there can be misunderstandings between the two generations due to the different views and traits they hold. Here are 17 boomer traits that Gen Z simply can’t stand.
Resistance to Technological Change
Gen Z has been fortunate throughout their whole lives to have technology available to them. Due to this, they’re constantly adapting to the latest technologies to help them in their lives. Boomers don’t share the same view; they prefer to stick to more traditional methods rather than be reliant on technology.
Conventional Work Ethics
OKR Institute reports, “Baby Boomers prefer traditional work structures and are accustomed to long hours. They associate success with perseverance and view a strong commitment to their job as a key ingredient for advancement.” Gen Z struggles to understand this and prefers to work smarter rather than harder.
Fixed Financial Perspectives
Gen Z has grown up with many investment opportunities available. They’re a generation that has no issue investing in cryptocurrencies and struggles to understand why others, including boomers, don’t. Boomers prefer to opt for investments they know and trust, which have historical data to back them up.
Communication Style
Gen Z can’t stand the way boomers communicate. Boomers prefer professional language in person over short messaging through digital interactions. Face-to-face interaction is very important for boomers. Younger generations, including Gen Z, don’t share this view and can find it difficult to communicate with boomers.
Educational Traditionalism
Boomers have a more traditional view when it comes to education in comparison to Gen Z. Boomers feel formal education is very important to set you up in life. Gen Z, however, has more resources available to them today and can teach themselves skills or opt for online courses.
TV Consumption Habits
eMarketer suggests that Gen Z prefers watching short digital videos instead of TV, while boomers will still spend many hours each day watching TV. If Gen Z does watch TV, then it will be on a streaming service. Boomers prefer to watch TV the traditional way and won’t opt for subscription services like the younger generations do.
Leadership Style
Boomers tend to have a different opinion on true leadership in comparison to Gen Z, which can annoy them. Boomers have grown up with a more authoritative top-down approach, which doesn’t tend to work for the younger generation. They prefer support and leadership through mentoring.
Attitudes Toward Youth Culture
Gen Z feels they can be completely misunderstood by boomers. They feel boomers don’t understand the youth culture today with the slang they use and the trends they participate in. They feel boomers aren’t open to learning and understanding what it’s like to be young in the present day.
Environmental Awareness
Gen Z can feel let down by boomers when it comes to environmental awareness. They often feel it’s the younger generation that’s working hard to make the world a better place. They feel boomers are skeptical when it comes to addressing climate change or using renewable energy.
Freelance Work
Boomers have always viewed work as an important part of being successful in life. They often feel full-time employment and sticking with one employer are the best practices. When it comes to Gen Z wanting job satisfaction and completing freelance work, boomers don’t tend to be as supportive, which leaves Gen Z frustrated.
Social Conservatism
Gen Z can’t stand how boomers haven’t adapted their views around certain societal norms, such as marriage. “‘Older generations may have felt drawn to marriage out of necessity or obligated based on societal pressures which also led to high divorce rates, but Gen Z sees things differently,’ Stephanie Kaplan Lewis, co-founder & CEO of Her Campus Media, told Newsweek. ‘For them, there is renewed hope in committing to a partner and having a built in support system.’”
Reluctance to Embrace New Entertainment
Boomers prefer more traditional methods of entertainment than what is available today. This can annoy Gen Z because boomers don’t even give it a go. Boomers are reluctant to try to play video games online, as they feel it will be a skill too hard for them to learn.
Reliance on Traditional News Sources
Boomers prefer to receive their news through more traditional methods compared to younger generations. They still pay for a daily newspaper that has yesterday’s news. This is hard for Gen Z to understand as there are resources available to go online and get the news as it happens without a financial cost.
Fixed Views on Gender Roles
When it comes to gender roles, boomers tend to have more traditional views. This can be very frustrating for younger generations, including Gen Zs. These views can often lead to conflict between the two generations as they struggle to understand each other’s views on them.
Attitudes Toward Social Media
According to The Agitator, “The psychology of social media is wrong for Boomers—older adults get increasingly more selective about relationships and seek emotional satisfaction from established relationships.” Many boomers don’t tend to see the benefits of using social media.
Caution Against Risk-Taking
The boomer generation is known for being more cautious than younger risk-taking generations. This trait is something Gen Z can’t stand, as they feel boomers are missing out on the rewards that come with taking risks. Because of this, boomers can often lack support for Gen Z when they’re courageous and take risks.
Views on Genders
Boomers grew up understanding that there were only two genders. However, younger generations have a different view on this. Boomers’ lack of desire to understand or adapt to this view is something Gen Z can’t stand. They feel it shows boomers don’t care for people’s feelings or views.
Up Next: 17 Phrases Older People Use That No One Else Gets
Each and every generation has its own phrases and sayings that separate it from the rest, and the boomers certainly have plenty. Discover 17 popular boomer phrases that aren’t often used today and what they mean. Maybe you’ll want to bring some of them back!
17 Phrases Older People Use That No One Else Gets
People Who Don’t Show Empathy Usually Have These 18 Traits
The world would be a better place if everyone had a little more empathy. But sadly, in reality, some people show much less empathy than we’d like. Here are 18 traits of people who don’t show empathy.
People Who Don’t Show Empathy Usually Have These 18 Traits
The 17 Unhappiest States in America
The US has hit an all-time low position in the World Happiness Index, tumbling to 23rd in 2024. However, it’s important to remember that location is an important factor; many US states are very happy, unlike the following 17 US states that appear to be the most unhappy.