Boomers sit for hours with their faces buried in their phones, but it’s not connection it’s isolation, said generational expert Bryan Driscoll to Newsweek. That irony reveals a great deal about how some older generations criticize younger ones: sometimes the charges collapse under the light of day.
Inter-generational angst is not new, but it’s growing louder. Research, such as that published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, reveals that young folks tend to perceive boomer behavior as a threat to their well-being and that older generations perceive that their values are being threatened. The outcome? A judgment cycle that spoils family dinners, office politics, and even public life.
Whereas some of the disagreements are based on real differences, there’s a series of perpetual grievances boomers hurl at millennials and Gen Z with little merit. From lifestyle habits to work styles, here are the most prevalent and most misguided complaints.
1. Screen Time Hypocrisy
Boomers frequently scold younger people for being “glued to their phones,” equating it with laziness or disengagement. Yet surveys from AddictionResource.net reveal that half of baby boomers spend more than three hours daily on their smartphones, with one in five exceeding five hours. Many even check their devices within an hour of waking up.
Bryan Driscoll identifies that although younger generations use their devices for connectivity, boomers’ excessive use tends to result from loneliness, which leaves them in a susceptible position to misinformation. Mental health counselor Ruth Hernandez also adds that technology habits now cut across age smartphones have become a regular part of everyone’s life.
2. Texting Over Calling
To many boomers, a phone call is more intimate, so they consider texting to be cold or offhand. However, in an era defined by telecommuting, social media, and being always connected, younger generations tend to opt for texting as a means of saving time and mental energy.
Criticism here tends to overlook that texting can be more effective and respectful of boundaries. Demanding calls as the “right” means of communication may exclude younger relatives or colleagues, particularly if it is presented as a moral shortcoming instead of a choice.
3. Headphones as an ‘Offense’
Some boomers see headphones in public as a conscious snub, even in areas like public transportation where talking isn’t normative. For younger generations, headphones are usually about concentration, unwinding, or just enjoying music without bothering others.
This conflict is symptomatic of an underlying generational divide concerning personal space. While boomers might view being open to spontaneous chat as polite, young people usually value independence and control of their social exchanges.
4. Work Ethic Misconceptions
The lazy stereotype that surrounds millennials and Gen Z lingers, particularly when they push for flexible working schedules or work from home. What is factual is that work-life balance programs have increased productivity as opposed to the burnout-inducing hustle culture that many boomers went through.
Younger employees view work as part of living, not living itself. This is not because they don’t care it’s because they’re rebelling against old ways that devalue mental well-being and private time.
5. Resistance to Remote Work
Boomers who are resistant to remote work frequently characterize it as “getting paid to do less.” But younger workers cite advantages such as less commute stress, greater concentration, and increased job satisfaction. Research from Clarify Capital indicates more relaxed, flexible offices result in greater productivity and employee retention.
Resistance is sometimes due to unease with technology or a yearning for face-to-face office culture, not proof that remote work is detrimental to productivity.
6. Not Reading the ‘Settle Down’ Script
Marriage, children, and a home mortgage by age 30 was the traditional way, but Gen Z and millennials are creating their own script. Generational expert Brian Driscoll explains: “Today, Gen Z is opting for independence, self-care, and fiscal security over old expectations.”
This transition isn’t about ditching commitment it’s about adjusting to financial realities and individual priorities. But boomers who view tradition as one-size-fits-all tend to frame these decisions in terms of irresponsibility.
7. Climate Change Activism
Younger generations spearhead climate activism, with Pew Research determining that 56% of Gen Z endorse the transition from gas-guzzlers by 2035, in contrast to lower percentages among older adults. Some boomers write off these initiatives as naive or impossible.
But older activists such as those in Third Act show that climate worry isn’t age-specific. The gap too often is in strategies and urgency, not in concern for the planet.
8. Spending on ‘Frivolous’ Stuff
From avocado toast to alternative milk lattes, younger expenditures are a boomer favorite punchline. The truth? Home prices have gone through the roof, with the National Association of Realtors saying the average age of first-time buyers is now 38.
For too many, experiences and convenience are more important than saving for a house that’s financially unattainable. Brushing off these options overlooks structural economic obstacles facing younger generations.
9. Athleisure and Casual Dress
Boomers tend to view casual office attire as not professional, yet company surveys indicate more than 70% of workers report relaxed dress codes increase productivity. In the post-pandemic era, numerous businesses adopted athleisure and flexible dress as part of winning talent.
Although some companies continue to adhere to stricter standards, the cultural pendulum toward comfort and genuineness is not going back led most notably by younger employees who prioritize usability over form.
Generational tension is usually less right or wrong and more about conflicting expectations molded by distinct periods. Many of the boomer complaints are reduced in weight when weighed against contemporary reality and fact. By understanding these trends, each side can substitute reflex judgments with curiosity and perhaps even find commonalities in shared objectives, if not similar approaches.
