Different generations have different perspectives, preferences, and habits. However, not all may understand or appreciate these differences. The same goes for Boomers and gen-Z. Many baby boomers have complaints and criticisms about Generation Z, who were born many decades later than them. Although some of these may look simple, they are legitimate concerns.
Boomers took to Reddit to complain about things that Gen-Z does that make boomers angry or confused. Here are 9 things Boomers do not enjoy about Gen Z, based on actual user opinions.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.
Moral Certainty
Gen Z tends to have very strong opinions about what is good and wrong. This, according to Boomers, would make them see the world in black and white. There is almost no middle ground or any understanding of different opinions. That can certainly make it difficult to have open conversations about complicated issues.
Selective Empathy
Boomers feel that Gen Z show kindness and empathy, but selectively. Some issues get a lot of attention but some issues get almost no attention. Boomers believe that this is because Gen-Z often latches on to trendy causes, forgetting history or bigger societal impacts.
Fear of Failure
Boomers think Gen Z fears failure. Fear of failure stops them from taking risks and trying the unknown. Unfortunately, it’s hard to be successful staying in your comfort zone. Boomers believe that failure is natural part of learning and growing. They want Gen-Z to know that failure leads to success in the long run.
Overuse of Words
Boomers think Gen-Z overuses some words. For example, gen-Z throw words like “toxic” casually around although they should be used in serious situations. However, boomers feel that using these words too much makes them lose their importance.
Entitlement and Self-Worth
Boomers often hear Gen-Z say things like, “I didn’t ask to be born.” For boomers, this is a sign of entitlement. They accept that it’s normal to feel frustrated sometimes. But they believe that everyone has a responsibility to contribute to society. In fact, they feel that Gen-Z should stop feeling totally entitled and actually do something useful with their lives.
Social Media Metrics vs. Self-Worth
Boomers are concerned about how much Gen-Z ties their self-worth to social media. Sometimes, it looks as if likes, followers and comments matter more than real life achievements. Boomers think this focus on online validation is unhealthy and can hurt self-esteem.
Tipping Culture and Online Begging
Boomers do not understand the tipping and online fundraising methods that Gen-Z use (on social media platforms). They’re not against tipping workers. But they do think that millionaire influencers begging for money from their fans is weird.
Oversharing and Boundaries
Boomers do not like that Gen-Z often overshares personal details. Though it is okay to be open in some situations, it might make others uncomfortable, especially when you are in a professional scenario. Boomers value privacy. They prefer clearer boundaries between personal and work life.
Source: Reddit.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.