Millennials blame their problems on Boomers

Irwin

Irwin

Well-known Member
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Millennials — the generation born between 1981 and 1996 — have long been the target of Boomers’ criticism for complaining too much, taking too many vacation days, eating too many avocado toasts and generally being unable to claim responsibility for their own lives. In turn, Millennials blame the generation of Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1965, for practically everything wrong with society these days — their economic, political and environmental choices that created the bleak prospects we’re currently facing.
https://rtd.rt.com/stories/the-angriest-generation-why-millennials-vs-boomers/
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Millennials are definitely screwed as are Generation Z. Many of them are deep in debt from college loans and the "American dream" of home ownership will never be more than just a dream because of the high cost of housing. But why are they blaming Boomers?

Well, we did come of age in the '70s and '80s when jobs began to be outsourced in great numbers overseas. Factories were shutting down and those jobs — many of them decent paying union jobs — were lost forever to Americans and sent to underdeveloped countries where labor was dirt cheap.

During the '90s, housing prices took off and they've been skyrocketing ever since. At the same time, taxpayer funding for higher education has dropped off precipitously — thus, the student debt problem. The '90s were when GenXers came of age so why aren't they being blamed for the problems during that time?

Millennials came of age in the 2000s, thus their moniker, so they're partially to blame for the Great Recession, but the causes really date back to the '90s and GenXers.

So what exactly are Millennials doing to fix the problems they're experiencing? Not a damn thing unless complaining counts as action.
 

Let me tell you a story of a Gen Z (age 6-24) that we know.

We have neighbours with a Gen Z son. He's 22, has had a few jobs, moved away for a time last year, couldn't make it, is now back living at home. We see his mother and father mowing the lawn, shoveling in the winter, watering... none of which Gen Z son partakes in. Shame on Gen Z son with parents both in and around age 60.

If he was our son, living in our home, he'd be pitching in and helping, and if he didn't, we'd show him the door. Why Gen Z's parents haven't shown him the door is beyond both hubby and I, though we chalk it up to today's generation where parents seem to foot the bill for most everything, and everything revolves around poor baby this, and poor baby that.

Neighbours Gen Z son is a pygmy of a man, and arrogant to boot.

Hubby and I both get the impression that Gen Z son feels the world owes him something already. Boy, is he ever in store for a rude awakening.

I see the mirror same with Gen Yers, as well as Millennials.

To be clear, I'm not lumping all into the category I have posted about, but the level of arrogance, boldness, and entitlement that oozes from so many in this crowd is truly hard to ignore. We know a number of...

As for your post, Irwin, I agree, and I absolutely LOVE your closing entry... "not a damn thing unless complaining counts as action".
 
Aunt Marg said:
Let me tell you a story of a Gen Z (age 6-14) that we know.

We have neighbours with a Gen Z son. He's 22, has had a few jobs, moved away for a time last year, couldn't make it, is now back living at home. We see his mother and father mowing the lawn, shoveling in the winter, watering... none of which Gen Z son partakes in. Shame on Gen Z son with parents both in and around age 60.

If he was our son, living in our home, he'd be pitching in and helping, and if he didn't, we'd show him the door. Why Gen Z's parents haven't shown him the door is beyond both hubby and I, though we chalk it up to today's generation where parents seem to foot the bill for most everything, and everything revolves around poor baby this, and poor baby that.

Neighbours Gen Z son is a pygmy of a man, and arrogant to boot.

I see mirror same with Gen Yers, as well as Millennials.

To be clear, I'm not lumping all into the category I have posted about, but the level of arrogance, boldness, and entitlement that oozes from so many in this crowd is truly hard to ignore. We know a number of...

As for your post, Irwin, I agree, and I absolutely LOVE your closing entry... "not a damn thing unless complaining counts as action".
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We have two of them like that living next door. They don’t help their parents, and Daddy even cleans their cars, which he bought for them of course.
 
Pecos said:
We have two of them like that living next door. They don’t help their parents, and Daddy even cleans their cars, which he bought for them of course.
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Boy, does that ever chap my behind.

Personally, I would have been ashamed of myself had I lived the same way when I was that age, however, shame doesn't seem to figure in when it comes to today's younger generation, so I've learned.
 
Irwin said:
why are they blaming Boomers?
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I think it is human nature to criticize and blame the generation that went before, no matter what. Always been that way. Its a part of maturing and trying to exercise your growing and coming of age.

I remember rebelling against the old folks as a kid, very critical of them. I think that revolt led to much of the unrest in the 60s, and all of the social changes of the 70s. Some of the changes were for the best, some not. Now as the last of them are going we call them the "Greatest Generation".

Maybe the millennials will see us that way one day. Just like now we focus on the earlier generation's accomplishments, most notably winning WWII, maybe one day the millennials will appreciate the contributions we made to the huge advancements in technology. Where would they be without those iphones and the like!
 
Can't stand it when old people complain about youth. Bunch of old farts. Glad I'm not one, at least I have that to be thankful for.

"The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

The above may seem meaningless to the discussion, but I can't get it off my mind. Stop complaining about the next generation. Makes it seem it's Jealousy, anger that they will live while we get to die.

No bigger Me Generation than ours. We oughta know, we can spot those bums lurking right behind us. They're Our Children, we taught them.
 
Pepper said:
Can't stand it when old people complain about youth. Bunch of old farts. Glad I'm not one, at least I have that to be thankful for.

"The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."

The above may seem meaningless to the discussion, but I can't get it off my mind. Stop complaining about the next generation. Makes it seem it's Jealousy, anger that they will live while we get to die.

No bigger Me Generation than ours. We oughta know, we can spot those bums lurking right behind us. They're Our Children, we taught them.
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Yes, some of us have spoiled them rotten! Maybe that is why some of them want to spend the day "texting loved ones" instead of working.
 
Aunt Marg said:
Let me tell you a story of a Gen Z (age 6-14) that we know.

We have neighbours with a Gen Z son. He's 22, has had a few jobs, moved away for a time last year, couldn't make it, is now back living at home. We see his mother and father mowing the lawn, shoveling in the winter, watering... none of which Gen Z son partakes in. Shame on Gen Z son with parents both in and around age 60.

If he was our son, living in our home, he'd be pitching in and helping, and if he didn't, we'd show him the door. Why Gen Z's parents haven't shown him the door is beyond both hubby and I, though we chalk it up to today's generation where parents seem to foot the bill for most everything, and everything revolves around poor baby this, and poor baby that.

Neighbours Gen Z son is a pygmy of a man, and arrogant to boot.

Hubby and I both get the impression that Gen Z son feels the world owes him something already. Boy, is he ever in store for a rude awakening.

I see the mirror same with Gen Yers, as well as Millennials.

To be clear, I'm not lumping all into the category I have posted about, but the level of arrogance, boldness, and entitlement that oozes from so many in this crowd is truly hard to ignore. We know a number of...

As for your post, Irwin, I agree, and I absolutely LOVE your closing entry... "not a damn thing unless complaining counts as action".
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This makes no sense ?

First you say ....."Let me tell you a story of a Gen Z (age 6-14) that we know."

Then you say ....."We have neighbours with a Gen Z son. He's 22"

So which is it ? What is Gen Z ?
 
rgp said:
This makes no sense ?

First you say ....."Let me tell you a story of a Gen Z (age 6-14) that we know."

Then you say ....."We have neighbours with a Gen Z son. He's 22"

So which is it ? What is Gen Z ?
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I made a boo-boo in my entry, typing in 14 instead of 24.

I have gone in and corrected it.

Hope that clarifies my post for you, RGP.

What is Gen Z?

Here is a breakdown of Gen for you.

  • Baby Boomers: Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. They're currently between 57-75 years old.
  • Gen X: Gen X was born between 1965 and 1979/80 and is currently between 41-56 years old.
  • Gen Y: Gen Y, or Millennials, were born between 1981 and 1994/6. They are currently between 25 and 40 years old
    • Gen Y.1 = 25-29 years old
    • Gen Y.2 = 29-39 years old
  • Gen Z: Gen Z is the newest generation, born between 1997 and 2012. They are currently between 6 and 24 years old.
  • Gen A: Generation Alpha starts with children born in 2012 and will continue at least through 2025, maybe later...
The term “Millennial” has become the popular way to reference both segments of Gen Y (more on Y.1 and Y.2 below).

Sometimes labeled with the moniker “Zillennials”, those wedged at the tail end of Millennials and the start of Gen Z are sometimes labeled with this moniker — a group made up of people born between 1994 and the year 2000. Originally, the name Generation Z, was a placeholder for the youngest people on the planet — although Generation A has now taken over that distinction. However, in the same way that Gen Y morphed into Millennials, there is certainly a possibility that both Gen Z and Gen A, may adopt new names as they leave adolescence and mature into their adult identities.

While the label Gen A makes discussion easier, it may not be the last word on this group of humans. Why are generations named after letters?It started with Generation X, people born between 1965-1980. The preceding generation was the Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964. Post-World War II, people enjoyed newfound prosperity, which resulted in a "baby boom." The children born as a result were dubbed "Baby Boomers".
 
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Alligatorob said:
I think it is human nature to criticize and blame the generation that went before, no matter what. Always been that way. Its a part of maturing and trying to exercise your growing and coming of age.
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It's also human nature to whine and complain about younger generations, exactly as is happening in most responses in this thread.

Perhaps the reason my husband and I have so many friends in their 20s - 40s is that we respect who they are, admire how they lead their lives, and don't b!tch and moan about them.
 
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I have the opposite opinion of millenials. I think they are terrific! I admire their upbeat can-do attitude, their lack of fussiness and worry that was such a big feature of my generation, their comparative lack of prejudice and generalizations about people, etc. They cheerfully take on the "slings and arrows" of life (since we're getting Shakespearean) and don't let the disappointments get them down. We should all be more like them!
 
Pecos said:
We have two of them like that living next door. They don’t help their parents, and Daddy even cleans their cars, which he bought for them of course.
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Aunt Marg said:
Let me tell you a story of a Gen Z (age 6-24) that we know.

We have neighbours with a Gen Z son. He's 22, has had a few jobs, moved away for a time last year, couldn't make it, is now back living at home. We see his mother and father mowing the lawn, shoveling in the winter, watering... none of which Gen Z son partakes in. Shame on Gen Z son with parents both in and around age 60.

.....
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The main problem in these two households are the enabling parents.
 
I don't remember my generation (i.e., war babies from 1940 to 1945 blaming anybody for much of anything. Perhaps we did but it seemed like everyone was too busy working and making their way into the world. The exceptions seemed to be the usual smaller bunch of criminals, misfits, layabouts and political hacks who blamed everything on somebody else.
 
The problem with a lot of 20 year olds is that they lack maturity. Some lag behind others at that age until they catch up. Someday they will all be equal as old farts you would think, but some never grow up even into old age. No one here of course. :rolleyes:
 
There’s a quote I came across from somewhere by Socrates complaining about “The youth today….”
I don’t see anything wrong with avocado toast. I think it’s great.
I honestly don’t know what goes on in some folks homes with the “enabling” and low demands and expectations I see , but I also see a huge number of young adults working as hard as they can.
 
AnnieA said:
The main problem in these two households are the enabling parents.
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Your comment triggered a hilarious memory - one I will try to quickly share. We once lived across the street from the town manager. His wife was a psychologist. They were nice people but didn't believe in disciplining or spanking their kids, who could be unholy terrors. We were out in the front yard one evening when both came out dressed in formal evening attire (for a major city event) and were about to get into the car when one of the kids grabbed a hose. Well the father, not so much a good manager at home, asked the boy to please put the hose down. The mother told the father not to upset the boy, who then gleefully began to hose them both down. The father stood there looking like a wuss, the mother started crying and both boys were laughing while they continued to shower them both. I remember thinking they were deserving parents.
 
Aunt Marg said:
I made a boo-boo in my entry, typing in 14 instead of 24.

I have gone in and corrected it.

Hope that clarifies my post for you, RGP.

What is Gen Z?

Here is a breakdown of Gen for you.

  • Baby Boomers: Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. They're currently between 57-75 years old.
  • Gen X: Gen X was born between 1965 and 1979/80 and is currently between 41-56 years old.
  • Gen Y: Gen Y, or Millennials, were born between 1981 and 1994/6. They are currently between 25 and 40 years old
    • Gen Y.1 = 25-29 years old
    • Gen Y.2 = 29-39 years old
  • Gen Z: Gen Z is the newest generation, born between 1997 and 2012. They are currently between 6 and 24 years old.
  • Gen A: Generation Alpha starts with children born in 2012 and will continue at least through 2025, maybe later...
The term “Millennial” has become the popular way to reference both segments of Gen Y (more on Y.1 and Y.2 below).

Sometimes labeled with the moniker “Zillennials”, those wedged at the tail end of Millennials and the start of Gen Z are sometimes labeled with this moniker — a group made up of people born between 1994 and the year 2000. Originally, the name Generation Z, was a placeholder for the youngest people on the planet — although Generation A has now taken over that distinction. However, in the same way that Gen Y morphed into Millennials, there is certainly a possibility that both Gen Z and Gen A, may adopt new names as they leave adolescence and mature into their adult identities.

While the label Gen A makes discussion easier, it may not be the last word on this group of humans. Why are generations named after letters?It started with Generation X, people born between 1965-1980. The preceding generation was the Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964. Post-World War II, people enjoyed newfound prosperity, which resulted in a "baby boom." The children born as a result were dubbed "Baby Boomers".
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I make boo-boos all the time ..... heck I'm in the eraser hall of fame <grin>

Thank you for the breakdown on generations.

A gripe; .......... i never did agree with the change on the boomer generation. Boomers was a phrase coined after the boom in babies born after WWII . Not 15 or so years later. We [the U.S.] was involved in two other wars [Korea] {actually a police action} and we were in Vietnam by 64 ...........But that's what they named them............OK,gripe over.:cautious:
 
AnnieA said:
The main problem in these two households are the enabling parents.
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That is exactly right, and my wife and I have both made the simple observation that the two older sisters in that family had very successful launches, completed their MS degrees on time and are both employed as Pharmacists in another town. The two boys were babied, picked up after and not required to contribute much at all. When Daddy doesn't get around to cleaning our the inside of their cars, they start to resemble "rolling trashcans." None of those children were ever allowed to venture into the nearby woods because "there are wild animals in there." Well, yes there are, but they are harmless unless you provoke them.

Our neighborhood also has three boys who have had very successful launches and are off and running as adults. Only one girl has failed to launch.
 
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