I remember growing up and listening to my parents expounding on how things were “simpler” then. They had clear jobs, career lines & standardized living conditions that sounded secure & predictable. Today, that script has gone the other way around. I know firsthand from speaking to my Boomer kin how confusing modernity can seem from their angle, and I’ve explained it to them all the time.
From jobs to living patterns, younger people have adapted to what’s normally considered an unorthodox change. Here are 10 social trends that have Boomers shaking their heads.
Featured Image Credit: aliced /Depositphotos.com.
The Rise of Influencers as Careers
Gone are the days when career aspirations were limited to doctors, lawyers or teachers. It is a valid & lucrative profession these days to be a social media influencer. Boomers may not know how putting up a photo or video on the internet is making you money — but for Millennials & Gen Z it’s boom-time.
Subscription Everything
From meal boxes to streaming platforms, young people have subscribed to everything. The Boomers – who are used to true ownership or a pay-per-use arrangement – might wonder why we don’t buy but rent or subscribe.
Casual Work Attire
Suits and ties are out, hoodies & sneakers are in — as is remote work and loose office lifestyles. This informal style of work puzzles Boomers – who had been in the business of strictly observing dress codes for decades.
The Gig Economy Over Traditional Jobs
Driving for Uber, doing a Fiverr gig or even renting a spare room on Airbnb, are all the rage these days. This “hustle culture” can be difficult to grasp for boomers who have always lived by the concept of steady employment.
Cryptocurrency Craze
Bitcoin, Ethereum & blockchain are changing the world of finance — but virtual cash without any official legal support is new to most Boomers who believe in banks and investment.
Minimalism & Tiny Living
Where Boomers had big houses & big yards, their children are living a minimal life in small houses. They focus on experience rather than material goods — they are happier with fewer things in their lives (something that runs counter to the “bigger is better” mindset).
Cancel Culture
The instant public backlash & penalties for minor errors can be disorienting to Boomers who lived in an era when mistakes were handled privately. They find online accountability today too fast & intense.
Non-Traditional Family Structures
Marriage, children & nuclear families are no longer the default. Thousands of youth defer or reject marriage, move into shared housing or define families in more nimble terms. These new meanings of family is weird for boomers to absorb.
Online Dating as the Norm
A swipe on an app such as Tinder or Bumble feels distant to Boomers, for whom face-to-face is the way to connect. For them, the notion of “virtual love” is often far too remote to feel comforting.
Eco-Conscious Everything
From zero waste to veganism & climate change, millennials are thinking sustainability at every turn. Boomers might sympathize with the spirit, but sometimes they find the scale of these campaigns – banning plastic straws, boycotting fast fashion – too extreme.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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