March 1st, 2023 | Nick Edward

Boomers Might Be The Worst

They often criticize Millennials, but they may need to reflect on their own faults.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF ALL POSTCANADIAN CONTRIBUTORS.

Allow me to elaborate on the oft-disputed claim that the Baby Boomers are the worst generation. First, it is important to acknowledge that Baby Boomers benefited greatly from the post-war economic boom. They were born into a time of great prosperity, with an abundance of opportunities in education and employment. Boomers were also the recipients of numerous government programs that helped to create a thriving middle class. Their spending habits have often been seen as selfish and short-sighted, squandering resources and creating debt for future generations. Their permissive and hands-off parenting styles have also been criticized for producing a generation of entitled, yet insecure individuals.

Let's not forget the great defunding of space programs, a decision that had far-reaching consequences. Boomers, as they reached adulthood and began to demand greater investment in social welfare programs, contributed to a decrease in funding for science and technology. This was a pivotal moment in the shifting of government priorities and public opinion.

While Baby Boomers may have benefited greatly from the post-war boom, it can't be ignored that they have also contributed to some of the major problems facing our society today. Their actions and decisions have had lasting effects and they must be held in front of a mirror, especially as they continue to criticize their successor generations.

What They Reaped

The decades after World War II were an amazing time for the world. They lasted from the late 1940s into the 1960s and countries like the United States and Canada saw huge economic growth. People were spending lots of money, there was low unemployment and new technologies and industries were emerging.

The post-war boom created new jobs, especially in manufacturing and construction. This led to low unemployment and higher standards of living. A strong economy and higher demands for labour meant wages were also rising and more people could afford to purchase more products. A housing boom made it possible for more people to purchase homes for the first time. This was a result of government programs and initiatives that made purchasing homes easier for everyone. The boom in auto manufacturing and the commercialized use of fossil fuels also created modern suburbia.

This boom allowed for the expansion of education, healthcare and pension. All of these things improved the overall quality of life for many Canadians and Americans and many Boomers were able to attend college and obtain degrees, leading to better career opportunities and higher salaries.

In the end, the boom after World War II had a giant impact on Baby Boomers and gave them the opportunity to enjoy higher wages, better social programs and a better quality of life. This period of prosperity helped sculpt the world we live in today.

Boomers StifleD Technological Advancement

The Boomer generation played a role in the defunding of space programs during the late 20th century. As Boomers reached adulthood and began to start families, there was growing pressure on the government to address social and economic issues such as poverty, healthcare and education. This led to an increase in spending on welfare programs, which was a priority for many people at the time.

As a result, the funds available for space exploration and other scientific pursuits began to decline and many space programs were either cut back or cancelled altogether. This was particularly true during the 1970s, when there was a shift in public opinion and government priorities, with a greater emphasis being placed on social and economic issues and a corresponding decrease in funding for science and technology.

It's worth noting that this trend was not unique to Baby Boomers, but rather reflected broader changes in public opinion and government priorities. It's true, however, that Boomers played a role in these changes and were in positions of political and cultural influence at the time. The increasing demand for social welfare programs, combined with changing public attitudes and government priorities, led to a reduction in funding for space exploration and various other scientific pursuits as Boomers came of age.

The space race had been a major driving force behind technological advancement, as the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to be the first to reach the moon spurred innovation and investment in areas such as rocket science, computer technology, and materials science. With the end of the space race, much of the investments and research disappeared, leading to a slowdown in technological progress.

The decrease in funding for space exploration during this time also meant that many of the innovations and technologies developed for the space race were not further developed or commercialized. This resulted in a loss of opportunities for innovation and economic growth in industries that could have been positively impacted by such technologies.

The decrease in funding for space exploration and investment in rocket technology has been widely criticized for contributing to a period of technological stagnation in the aerospace industry. With less investment in research and development, the pace of innovation has slowed and many groundbreaking projects have been left unfinished.

It can be argued that Boomers sacrificed decades worth or potential scientific achievements for welfare programs.

Boomer Parenting: How Millennials Happened

The Boomer parenting style had a significant impact on the development of Millennials. Baby Boomers, who grew up during a time of great social and economic prosperity, were often more permissive in their approach to parenting compared to previous generations. They placed a strong emphasis on individuality and self-expression, encouraging their children to be independent and to follow their own paths.

This hands-off approach to parenting had both positive and negative effects on the Millennial generation. On the one hand, it allowed Millennials to develop a strong sense of self and to explore their interests and passions. On another hand, it also created a generation that's less equipped to handle adversity and one that's less self-sufficient.

There was also an emphasis on protecting children from harm, which led to a rise in "helicopter parenting," where parents are overly involved in their children's lives and decisions. This style of parenting has been criticized for creating a generation of young adults who are less confident and less capable of making decisions for themselves.

The varying parenting styles of Boomers have had a lasting impact on Millennials. While the emphasis on individuality and self-expression was well-intentioned, it also created a generation that was less equipped to handle life's challenges and less self-sufficient. This, combined with the rise of helicopter parenting, has had lasting effects on the development of the Millennial generation.

The Spending Spree

Boomers have been criticized for spending the wealth of future generations through their consumption and debt-fueled spending.

Boomers are the first generation in history to have taken on significant levels of debt, including mortgages, student loans and credit card debt. This has resulted in a high level of household debt, which has contributed to the overall financial burden facing future generations.

Boomers accumulated large amounts of debt on things previous generations didn't have. They took advantage of new forms of credit, which allowed them to spend beyond their means and to accumulate debt faster. Their use of debt-spending signalled a major shift in consumer behaviour and set the stage for future generations. Their willingness to take on large amounts of debt helped create a culture of consumerism, which has become a defining characteristic of our modern society.

The Boomer's use of debt has contributed to North America's current economic challenges, as it has added to the overall burden of consumer and government debt. Future generations, as a result, will likely face the difficult task of paying down this debt.

Boomers are also responsible for a significant amount of the long-term financial problems facing old age security in countries like Canada, as they're the largest demographic group currently relying on such programs. As more and more Baby Boomers reach retirement, the financial strain on these programs will increase, leaving future generations with a larger financial burden.

Crypto

The Boomer generation has been slow to adopt cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, compared to younger generations. This is largely due to their reluctance to embrace new technologies and their skepticism towards non-traditional forms of currency and investments.

Many Boomers grew up in a time when the traditional financial system was more stable and they may have a distrust of new and untested forms of currency. They also may be more risk-averse, as they are often closer to retirement age and are looking to protect their hard-earned savings.

In contrast, younger generations, particularly Millennials and Generation Z, have grown up in a time of rapid technological change and are more comfortable with digital technology and the idea of digital currencies. They are also more likely to embrace new forms of technology and innovation and to see cryptocurrencies as an opportunity to diversify their investments and hedge against traditional financial markets.

Despite the skepticism of Boomers, the popularity and usage of cryptocurrencies continues to grow, particularly among younger generations. Following the recent “death spiral” of the crypto market, a resurgence has happened and Bitcoin has regained much of its value since 2022. However, it is important to note that cryptocurrencies are still a relatively new and complex investment and caution should be exercised when investing in them.

Criticizing Millennials

Ah, the timeless tale of the older generation criticizing the younger one. Make no mistake, the Baby Boomers have been guilty of this particular sin in spades, often heaping unfair criticism upon Millennials.

It must be acknowledged that the Baby Boomers have enjoyed a number of advantages and privileges that the Millennials simply do not have. They were born into a time of great prosperity, with an abundance of opportunities in education, career advancement, and financial stability. Millennials, on the other hand, have been met with a vastly different set of circumstances. They have been forced to contend with a struggling economy, high levels of student debt, and a job market that has yet to fully recover from the 2008 financial crisis.

Despite these challenges, Boomers have often been quick to judge Millennials as entitled, lazy, and lacking in initiative. They have criticized the younger generation for their reliance on technology and social media, ignoring the ways in which these tools have revolutionized communication and commerce. They have blamed Millennials for the problems facing society, even though many of these problems can be traced back to the decisions and actions of the Baby Boomer generation itself.

To conclude, it's unfair for Baby Boomers to heap criticism upon Millennials without acknowledging the challenges and difficulties that this younger generation has had to face. Millennials have inherited a world that is vastly different from the one that the Baby Boomers grew up in and it is time for the older generations to stop blaming them for the problems facing society and to start working with them to find solutions.