Boomers vs. Millennials
I follow this page on Facebook, Americans living in Italy. It’s usually quite useful, entertaining, resourceful. However today, something so insulting…so myopic is discussed that I too feel the need to discuss it. This guy, who also happens to be an admin for the page as well as admin for a few other similar pages, arrogantly makes this long post, basically bashing millennials. It’s a pretty standard, “kids these days” boomer post. Here, I’ll just share it… (p.s. I’ve fixed all his grammatical mistakes).
“Imagine you were born in 1900.
When you're 14 World War I begins and ends at 18 years old with 22 million dead.
Shortly after, a global pandemic Flu called 'Spanish', kills 50 million people. You come out alive and free. You are 20 years old.
Then, at 29, you survive the global economic crisis that started with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange, causing Inflation, unemployment, and hunger.
At 33, the Nazis come to power. You turn 39 when World War II starts and ends at 45. During the Holocaust (Holocaust), 6 million Jews die.
There will be over 60 million deaths in total.
When you're 52, the Korean War begins.
At age 64, the Vietnam War begins and ends at age 75.
A boy born in 1985 thinks his grandparents have no idea how difficult life is, but they have survived several wars and disasters.
A boy born in 1995 and now 25 years old thinks it's the end of the world when his Amazon package takes over three days to arrive or when he doesn't get more than 15 likes for her photo posted on Facebook or Instagram…
In 2020, many of us live comfortably, have access to different sources of home entertainment, and often have more than we need.
But people complain about everything. However, they have electricity, phone, food, hot water, and a roof over their heads.
None of this existed before.
But mankind survived far more disastrous circumstances and never lost the joy of living.
Maybe it's time to be less self-escaped, stop complaining, and stop crying."
Where do I even start with this mess? Gosh I have so many problems with this. Both in the mindset, the wording, the unfairness, and for lack of a better word, MYOPIC perspective.
I’m not a millennial and I’m not a boomer. I’m that forgotten generation in the middle – the one bridging the gap between the millennials and the boomers…
So let’s start here: “disastrous circumstances” and “problems” are relative. That means they must be considered in proportion to something else. I actually commented on the thread and posed this consideration: Maybe that amazon package was important medicine for his dying dog. Maybe that girl just wanted ONE person to notice her before deciding to take her life…
Disvaluing a problem because there are “bigger” problems elsewhere (and especially 1,000 years ago) is arrogant and petty. Sure, we owe the boomers gratitude and appreciation for the trials of the past. They had it rough! But that’s not to say younger generations have it easy.
Disvaluing a problem because there are “bigger” problems elsewhere (and especially 1,000 years ago) is arrogant and petty. Sure, we owe the boomers gratitude and appreciation for the trials of the past. They had it rough! But that’s not to say younger generations have it easy.
No one is crying over Amazon and Likes. So while the boomers are busy romanticizing, let’s face some of the harsh truths for the younger generations:
· they are coming of age in a deeply unstable time
· many of them live with a huge amount of debt in one of the most unstable job markets in the last century
· they are starting to see the very real and drastic effects of a climate crisis that will affect them directly, their children, and their grandchildren
· there are conflicts around the world, not just “here” and who only knows what kind of impacts this will make on their future
· they’re reaching adult age in a pandemic, which is disproportionately affecting the already economically disadvantaged and enriching the wealthy
· they’re sad because they want to start getting married, having kids, buying a house which are made extremely difficult by economic circumstances and even political circumstances!
· global warming, climate change, and resource depletion are real concerns
· how about the hatred that still exists towards black people? They aren’t being segregated anymore (but they are), they’re being KILLED. Add here, hatred towards anyone who isn’t white, bipartisan.
· the police force is out of control, politics are out of control
· healthcare and lack of availability
· and just to full circle back to the 1900’s post – there are still wars going on. I personally saw TWO of them and I promise you, the majority of the force in the wars ARE millennials.
· they are coming of age in a deeply unstable time
· many of them live with a huge amount of debt in one of the most unstable job markets in the last century
· they are starting to see the very real and drastic effects of a climate crisis that will affect them directly, their children, and their grandchildren
· there are conflicts around the world, not just “here” and who only knows what kind of impacts this will make on their future
· they’re reaching adult age in a pandemic, which is disproportionately affecting the already economically disadvantaged and enriching the wealthy
· they’re sad because they want to start getting married, having kids, buying a house which are made extremely difficult by economic circumstances and even political circumstances!
· global warming, climate change, and resource depletion are real concerns
· how about the hatred that still exists towards black people? They aren’t being segregated anymore (but they are), they’re being KILLED. Add here, hatred towards anyone who isn’t white, bipartisan.
· the police force is out of control, politics are out of control
· healthcare and lack of availability
· and just to full circle back to the 1900’s post – there are still wars going on. I personally saw TWO of them and I promise you, the majority of the force in the wars ARE millennials.
Pandemic, check. Economic crisis, check. Crime, poverty, mass murders, school shootings, cinema shootings, festival shootings, SHOOTINGS, unemployment… Check check check.
I feel like this list goes on. And depending on any individuals’ “disastrous circumstance” or “problem” – even longer. It's all relative.
I feel like this list goes on. And depending on any individuals’ “disastrous circumstance” or “problem” – even longer. It's all relative.
Point 2: “Be less self-escaped”…what does that even mean? So, be more others-imprisoned? No thank you.
Next, generalizing and assuming all people younger than you think and act this way anyway. Not everyone born after 1985 lives in a fantasy world of social media unicorns and no drama for your llama rainbows. In fact, I am bold enough to say that MOST of the millennials (and younger generations) are making GREAT strides and HUGE impacts! Especially on the economy. Their values, lifestyle preferences, and technological proficiency are worlds away from the older generations!
In business, Millennials:
· have a desire for their employer to show social responsibility - they want sustainability, flexibility, authenticity, and diversity in the workplace
· they want a high quality of life – work/life balance, can appreciate remote work
· tend to be more techno savvy offering innovation and digital advancement
· pursue environmentally friendly initiatives – recycling, cutting down waste, earth conscious, reducing our footprint
· want diversity and inclusion
In environment, Millennials:
· are far more knowledgeable and aware of complex issues, quick to discover discrepancies, and first to uphold standards – right Karen?!
· are more socially conscious and have voices
· are kinder to their bodies – stuff those cigarettes 60’s!
· are kinder to the planet – slow your roll plastic!
In politics, voter turnout is the highest it has been in over a century and millennials take a more liberal stance on the size of government. And more concerned about economic inequality.
Millennials are also making great advancements in medicine, have the ability to find clinical information faster, are increasingly diverse and welcoming more women, and “they’re comfortable using tools to help them practice medicine more efficiently than their predecessors.”
They read more books – more diverse books. They write more. They share more. Knowledge is power.
Millennials aren’t afraid to question authority, to question established procedures – because ‘just because something has always been “done that way” doesn’t make it the right way’.
Finally, complaining and crying weren’t invented in 1995. Millennials don’t deserve the harsh reputation. Every generation has their satire of “back in my day”… Plus, aren’t the boomers the ones who raised the millennials? I guess reflecting on the parenting of this “entitled generation” is too bright to see.
So congratulations Fico and followers, you win the “OK BOOMER” award for the day. *cheering*
Next, generalizing and assuming all people younger than you think and act this way anyway. Not everyone born after 1985 lives in a fantasy world of social media unicorns and no drama for your llama rainbows. In fact, I am bold enough to say that MOST of the millennials (and younger generations) are making GREAT strides and HUGE impacts! Especially on the economy. Their values, lifestyle preferences, and technological proficiency are worlds away from the older generations!
In business, Millennials:
· have a desire for their employer to show social responsibility - they want sustainability, flexibility, authenticity, and diversity in the workplace
· they want a high quality of life – work/life balance, can appreciate remote work
· tend to be more techno savvy offering innovation and digital advancement
· pursue environmentally friendly initiatives – recycling, cutting down waste, earth conscious, reducing our footprint
· want diversity and inclusion
In environment, Millennials:
· are far more knowledgeable and aware of complex issues, quick to discover discrepancies, and first to uphold standards – right Karen?!
· are more socially conscious and have voices
· are kinder to their bodies – stuff those cigarettes 60’s!
· are kinder to the planet – slow your roll plastic!
In politics, voter turnout is the highest it has been in over a century and millennials take a more liberal stance on the size of government. And more concerned about economic inequality.
Millennials are also making great advancements in medicine, have the ability to find clinical information faster, are increasingly diverse and welcoming more women, and “they’re comfortable using tools to help them practice medicine more efficiently than their predecessors.”
They read more books – more diverse books. They write more. They share more. Knowledge is power.
Millennials aren’t afraid to question authority, to question established procedures – because ‘just because something has always been “done that way” doesn’t make it the right way’.
Finally, complaining and crying weren’t invented in 1995. Millennials don’t deserve the harsh reputation. Every generation has their satire of “back in my day”… Plus, aren’t the boomers the ones who raised the millennials? I guess reflecting on the parenting of this “entitled generation” is too bright to see.
So congratulations Fico and followers, you win the “OK BOOMER” award for the day. *cheering*
And maybe, for real finally, is that no generation has it worse or easier than the last nor the next. Maybe we each go through our trials and tribulations both in a world or societal sense and a personal sense.
Your struggle matters. My struggle matters.
note: some points credited to various commenters on the post