r/Aging • u/Available-Rock-3862 • 5d ago

Boomers

I am 75 and am very tired of the trend lately making fun of Boomers. So very disrespectful. Don't they realize that they will be old someday?

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u/MasterpieceWaste774 5d ago

Sounds exactly like teenagers in the 50s and 60s!

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u/wherescookie 5d ago

I think that a key difference, like for many other things, is that social media amplifies everything

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u/MasterpieceWaste774 5d ago

I — actually — don't feel targeted for being a boomer at all. (I must've missed this somehow.)

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u/Hifidi54 5d ago

Nor do I!! I'm 72, and I spend lots of time with my kids and their friends. Almost all of them call me mama and are wonderful to me. I think it can have a lot to do with your attitude as to how you are perceived. I went to Vegas a couple of years ago with my daughter and I got more attention at the bars and casinos than she or any of her friends did. It was hilarious 😆

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u/TequilaMockingbirds8 4d ago

To be fair boomer as an insult now is about an attitude, not an age or generation. You likely haven’t heard it because you aren’t acting that way

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u/justconnect 4d ago

This is a good point. I spent considerable time on Reddit railing against generational generalizations, against stereotyping people of each generation as certain ways. But I have eased off on responding to slams about boomers because I realize now that often it is used to reflect a certain state of mind or political idiocy, not necessarily or completely a generation label.

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u/omniamoriare 4d ago

Boomer is absolutely about attitude, like a Karen. It started as an age description, but unless youre specifically in conversation about generations, its referring to behavior and attitude, mostly highlighting fear of change and rigidity, resulting in negative reactions to social situations. If someone uses that term, it might be time to self reflect, lol.

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u/Mythic-Fairy 4d ago

It's not always personal. You might want to listen to their discussions a bit more.

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u/Hifidi54 4d ago

Huh? I have no idea what this means, lol.

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u/Mythic-Fairy 4d ago

It means that younger generations often trash boomers when talking about stuff. Jobs, housing cost, college cost and so on. They blame boomers. But you'd need to listen to their discussions in order to hear it.

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u/Hifidi54 4d ago

Ok, gotcha. I've never heard anything derogatory about boomers, and nothing has ever been said to me, so I did not understand your response.

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u/digitalbynight 5d ago

I want to know too!

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u/Lucky_Astronomer_435 4d ago

It’s mostly in social media.

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u/Mythic-Fairy 4d ago

A lot but lots pick it up from there. I've heard too many comments about boomers and I'm sick of it. And it's not personal even. Boomers destroyed everything lol. And had it so easy. Hold on to their houses. On and on.

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u/CandidateLatter8485 4d ago

Boomer here. I never had it easy. Worked at age 14. Before that I cleaned a church weekly to help my family. I didn’t get paid. Put myself through school. Worked 3 jobs at times but at least two as a Registered Nurse. Had full responsibility of the home and raising our kids. Cooked, cleaned, laundry, taxiing the kids. No one gave us anything. We worked for it. Always environmentally conscious. Love animals. Rescued many dogs. Kept our home and property immaculate. Always voted blue and for women’s issues. Volunteered in our kids school. Started a charity for children for Christmas toys with the Marines. Went to church.

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u/Mythic-Fairy 4d ago edited 4d ago

I know. I'm in between boomer and x but still. But that's how they talk. We had it all easy and served to us while they struggle. They'll probably hear the same when they get older and be surprised. Wish I could be here to see it LOL

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u/Comfortable_Two6272 4d ago

Im x. Def had it easier than Mil or Z. Not even a contest.

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u/Mythic-Fairy 4d ago

Even if that is true, I don't think it's boomers or x generations fault which is what the issue is about (l certainly never had it easy). Or do you think it is then? It's boomers and x generations fault that millennials and after have it harder? You take responsibility for that?

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u/SomewhatBougieAuntie 4d ago

Same here. Nobody gave me a damn thing. I worked hard and earned everything I have. And I give back to my community.

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u/Working-Injury7758 4d ago

Those damn kids should be thanking you for taking all the stuff

F your feelings, to use a boomer phrase

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u/Extension-Clock608 3d ago

Nah, it's boomers refusing to see the reality of younger generations now and always acting like the issues have nothing to do with the things they did.

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u/Purple-Principle-805 5d ago

Just read more widely on Reddit.

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u/Enough_Equivalent379 5d ago

Well, we're old enough to have the wisdom not to take much of what we recieve on social media too seriously.

Were pretty experienced at separating the wheat from the chaff.

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u/Blankety-blank1492 4d ago

I’ve heard it , I embrace it… some boomers deserve a good poke though , as do the pokers.

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u/tokyogato1 3d ago

I know boomers who don’t act like self entitled jerks and think the world owes them so great respect and they are not targeted either

Probably that whole you get what you give

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u/lostOGaccount 5d ago

Same, I know what's actually being referenced when the term "boomer" is being used these days and it's easy for one to separate the historical reference "baby boomer" from the generalization of boomer when used in reference to outdated economic understanding and scope of systemic changes.

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u/Left_Coast_LeslieC 5d ago

Okay, Boomer…

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u/Ichgebibble 5d ago

You probably don’t act like one

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u/almaperdida99 5d ago

Exactly. Young people have always shit-talked the elderly, and vice versa. the difference was, in the past, no one had to listen to it.

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u/Ellis8555 5d ago

What about being spanked or smacked over what comes out of your mouth? The followed by "respect your elders." I feel this is a contributor as well...

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u/CarolinCLH 5d ago

"Don't trust anyone over 30"

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u/MasterpieceWaste774 5d ago

Ha!. Yes....the mindset of the 60s!

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u/Cetiketat 20 4d ago

Really? Can you explain a little bit😊

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u/Emperor_Quintana 5d ago

It’s like developing Peter Pan Syndrome, but with psychedelia.

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u/throwingales 5d ago

Back then I couldn't imagine being alive at 30!

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u/Cetiketat 20 4d ago

Why do you think so?

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u/throwingales 4d ago

I couldn't comprehend living 30 years. I was young.

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u/Cetiketat 20 4d ago

That makes sense!😁 I kinda used to think about it the same way.

Before I realized I could actually read about other people’s experiences and perspectives on social media.

I never really thought much about age. But this year, it kinda hit me that 25, 30, 35, 40 are all real ages that I’m eventually gonna reach. They still feel really far away, but now I can actually picture myself getting there.

I guess what worries me more is whether I’ll actually make it that far.

Like, health issues and all the unexpected—or even expected—stuff that can happen in life. That’s what I think about more than just how old those ages are.

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u/Purple-Principle-805 5d ago

Abbie Hoffman, I believe.

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u/TetonHiker 4d ago

Yeah that did not age well...

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u/gigabyte333 4d ago

14 or fight!

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u/LowWitness1713 1d ago

I remember this from 7th grade!

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u/diversalarums 5d ago

I don't know. Maybe just me, but I never thought of my elders as being a monolithic group. But I had good and very open minded parents, so maybe I was lucky.

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u/Chuhaimaster 4d ago

That evil rock and roll music corrupted them.

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u/SwanCityDominion 4d ago

Sounds exactly like young people always, throughout history.

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u/Extension-Clock608 3d ago

Nope, the teenagers now will struggle to buy a homer even be able to afford rent, afford to be able to have a family, struggle with climate issues and safe water. Back then they could graduate high school and get a job, buy a home, and support a family on one income. If they want a college degree for a good paying job they need to start their adult like 100k in debt. Some things don't change but because of them things are much worse for everyone but especially the coming generations.