Every generation has its differences, but Gen Z seems to have made boomers their favourite target.
From having a go about their outdated views, to their economic privilege, or just the way they use the internet, there’s a constant narrative that boomers are the villains of modern life. While some of the criticism is fair, a lot of it is overly harsh. These are just a few reasons Gen Z is giving the older generation a harder time than they deserve and need to take it easy.
1. Not every Boomer is rich and living the dream.
One of the biggest complaints from Gen Z is that boomers had it easier — cheap housing, stable jobs, and solid pensions. While it’s true that things were different, not every boomer is sitting on a pile of money. Plenty of them struggled financially, worked hard for what they have, and aren’t enjoying some cushy retirement. Assuming that every one of them bought a house for £10 and retired at 50 ignores the reality that many still have to work or live on tight budgets. Yes, the economy was different, but life wasn’t automatically easy just because they were born earlier.
2. They didn’t create the world’s problems — every generation contributes.
Gen Z loves blaming boomers for climate change, expensive housing, and student debt, as if they all got together one day and decided to ruin the world. While this generation was in charge for a lot of major decisions, every generation plays a role in shaping society. Problems don’t appear overnight, and most are the result of decades of decisions. It’s easy to point fingers at the older generation, but the reality is more complicated. The world changes with every era, and no generation is perfect. Holding every boomer accountable for decisions made by politicians and corporations over the last 50 years isn’t entirely fair.
3. They had their own struggles that Gen Z doesn’t face.
While it’s true that Gen Z has challenges like high rent and job instability, boomers weren’t exactly handed everything on a silver platter. Many grew up in homes where hitting kids was normal, mental health wasn’t even a discussion, and there were far fewer opportunities for social mobility. Things like free higher education or affordable homes sound great, but they also lived through financial crashes, recessions, and high interest rates. Every generation faces different struggles, and just because they had some advantages doesn’t mean they didn’t have major obstacles too.
4. Some of their ‘old-school’ values actually make sense.
Younger people often roll their eyes at boomers for their attitudes on work, commitment, and resilience, but not all of it is bad advice. While some of their views might feel outdated, there’s something to be said for things like taking pride in hard work, showing up on time, and sticking things out instead of quitting at the first challenge. Sure, some boomers take it too far and dismiss the importance of mental health, but the idea of being responsible, disciplined, and reliable isn’t exactly a bad thing. There’s a balance to be found between modern flexibility and old-school dedication.
5. They don’t all misunderstand technology.
One of the biggest stereotypes is that anyone over the age of 40 can’t use tech and need help sending an email. While some struggle with newer platforms, many have adapted just fine. They’re on social media, they use smartphones, and plenty of them are better with tech than people give them credit for. Yes, there are boomers who still type with one finger or fall for scam emails, but assuming they’re all clueless ignores the reality that many have been using computers and evolving with technology for decades. Just because they don’t spend their lives making TikToks doesn’t mean they’re out of touch.
6. They actually do care about younger generations.
It’s common to hear Gen Z say, “Boomers don’t care about us,” but that’s not entirely true. Most older people care deeply about their kids, grandkids, and the future of society. They might not always express it in a way that resonates with younger people, but that doesn’t mean they’re indifferent. They vote, they donate, they try to pass down advice, whether it’s always welcomed or not. The way they show care might be different from Gen Z’s approach, but assuming they don’t care at all is unfair.
7. Not all of them are politically conservative.
Gen Z often assumes all boomers are stuck in their ways and resistant to social progress, but that’s simply not true. Plenty of them are left-leaning, environmentally conscious, and passionate about human rights. Many of the freedoms younger generations enjoy today were fought for by this generation when they were younger. Assuming that every older person is out of touch ignores the fact that many have been pushing for progress long before Gen Z was even born. They don’t all fit into the same political box.
8. They didn’t all have the luxury of following their passions.
Gen Z often criticises boomers for prioritising stable jobs over passion, but many didn’t have a choice. They grew up in a time when job security and financial stability were the ultimate goals, not self-fulfilment. For many, it was about survival, not finding a “dream career.” They worked jobs they didn’t always love because that was the responsible thing to do. While today’s culture encourages chasing passions, older generations were raised to focus on providing for their families first. That mindset isn’t outdated; it’s just practical for their time.
9. They’re not all anti-change.
Yes, some boomers resist new ideas, but plenty are open to change and willing to learn. Many have adapted to new social norms, changed their views on important issues, and continue to educate themselves. They might not always get it right, but assuming they’re all stuck in the past isn’t accurate. People evolve at different paces, and expecting an entire generation to be instantly in sync with younger values isn’t realistic. Some boomers are more progressive than certain members of Gen Z — they just express it differently.
10. The internet makes generational divides worse than they actually are.
Most of the “Boomers vs. Gen Z” narrative plays out online, where people love to argue. Social media amplifies the worst takes from both sides, making it seem like every older person is completely out of touch and every Gen Z is a lazy, entitled brat. In reality, most people get along just fine in daily life. Outside of Twitter wars and TikTok rants, generational conflict is less dramatic. These generations work together, live together, and share plenty of common ground. The internet just loves a good fight.
11. They’re dealing with their own struggles.
Just because boomers aren’t facing the same problems as Gen Z doesn’t mean they have it easy. Many are dealing with health issues, loneliness, and financial stress as they approach retirement. Some are still supporting their grown children, while others worry about outliving their savings. Life doesn’t automatically get easier with age. Gen Z might be facing economic struggles, but boomers are dealing with the reality of ageing in a rapidly changing world. Everyone has their own battles.
12. They’re the ones who raised Gen Z.
It’s funny how Gen Z complains about boomers, but forgets that many of them were raised by them. If older people are so out of touch, how did they manage to raise a generation that’s so vocal, educated, and self-aware? Clearly, they did something right. Yes, there are parenting flaws in every generation, but Gen Z didn’t just appear out of nowhere. The values they hold about equality, mental health, and questioning the system often come from their upbringing, which means boomers deserve some credit.
13. They’ve been through just as much change as Gen Z.
Gen Z grew up with rapid technological advancements, but boomers have seen just as much, if not more. They’ve lived through cultural revolutions, economic crashes, political shifts, and the rise of the digital age. Adapting to constant change isn’t easy, yet many have managed to keep up. Change is hard for anyone, regardless of age. Boomers might not always get things right, but assuming they’re incapable of evolving ignores everything they’ve already had to adjust to in their lifetime.
