15 Hard-Hitting Reasons Boomers Had It Rougher Than Millennials
This is nothing new when it comes to generational debates. Millennials get slammed by student debt and job market competitiveness, but Baby Boomers also had it rough. This piece will highlight Baby Boomers’ unique hurdles from an economic and social angle.
When Baby Boomers came of age, interest rates were at some of the highest levels in modern history. According to CNN, mortgage rates climbed above 18 percent in the early 1980s, an unachievable goal for homeownership.
However, these numbers will feel impossible for Millennials, who are used to relatively low rates. Boomers also had severe recessions and were subject to high interest rates. They suffered lasting scars to their financial well-being during the 1970s and 1980s and economic downturns. Here are 15 hard-hitting reasons Boomers may have had a rougher time than Millennials.
Military and Political Climate
The Vietnam War left an indelible mark on the Boomer generation. That many young men were drafted into an ugly and hazardous conflict was a terrifying reality. Not only did it break lives, but it also pained hearts and gave physical scars to those who were there. The draft held grim memories of those whose futures weren’t entirely theirs.
This was added to the feeling of Cold War tension. Boomers experienced the shadow of a looming potential nuclear war, an experience absent from Millennials, and lived through an era when global destruction was felt at hand.
Social and Civil Rights Struggles
During the civil rights movement, boomers were on the side, with deep social unrest and systemic discrimination. They saw the unspeakable and participated in monumental fights for equality. In some ways, it was a dangerous, fraught period.
Before and during the civil rights movement, Boomers of color faced actual legal racial segregation and discrimination. It was always a struggle to get opportunities that white peers had the privilege of.
Technology and Information Access Limitations
Boomers didn’t have instant information access like many Millennials today. Instead, they relied on physical libraries, encyclopedias, and minimal media outlets. Growing their idea base and educating themselves required tangible effort—trips to the library and hours sifting through books.
The boomer era job market was much less flexible, and fewer career opportunities existed. Remote work wasn’t an option, and careers were linear and predetermined, a long way from the dynamic, flexible job market Millennials experience today.
Healthcare and Medical Advancements
During the boomer era, there were very few medical advances. Some conditions were severe or fatal and treatable only now. Some diseases hadn’t been discovered, and there weren’t early treatments. Access to healthcare was a significant concern.
Health trouble was also due in part to higher smoking rates among Boomers. Smoking was socially acceptable and prevalent and, with its long-term health impact, is just one of the many things Boomers have to deal with.
Communication Barriers
It was a world of communication much less convenient for Boomers than what the Millennials have today. Long-distance relationships were expensive, so keeping in touch was challenging. International calls were a luxury, and writing was caught up with the mail.
Their social networks were limited, too, and it was challenging to survive in the business world. Hence, they could not forge and maintain essential connections like today.
Educational Accessibility
College was cheaper for Boomers, but it was another obstacle. Absolute lack of access to finance and social expectations adversely interfered with individuals’ access to formal education and employment. Many Boomers did not take the formal educational path and had to rely on direct job experience, which impacted their careers.
Compared to Millennials, whose educational options are abundant online through myriad online courses and digital learning tools, Boomers were stuck with little but traditional classroom education.
Gender Roles and Inequality
Boomers had plenty of strict societal expectations and gender roles. Gender often dictated career decisions. This gender inequality in professional advancement created additional barriers.
The world of millennials has matured enough to become progressively more accepting of diverse identities and roles, but it has its obstacles.
Environmental Awareness and Degradation
Boomers experienced severe environmental degradation, but protective laws hadn’t been implemented. During periods of pollution and smog, they lived while exposed to harmful substances banned today.
Millennials are growing up in a time when being environmentally conscious is becoming more significant than ever. Boomers experienced environmental degradation, but strides in environmental policies have moved forward.
Transportation Challenges
The Boomer era was a travel era of complexity and cost, and there were few accessible alternatives to commuting or traveling long distances.
High costs, substantial interest rates, and high unemployment also hampered car ownership. Today, it’s easy to travel with budget airlines and ride-sharing services.
Limited Entertainment Options
Boomers lacked much entertainment, with mostly a few local cultural experiences and television channels. Just as Millennials enjoy the digital revolution—streaming services, access to the world of entertainment—it was simply non-existent for the Boomers.
Because entertainment has never been diverse, Boomers had to make do with local activities and events, and these specific experiences helped create a diverse culture.
Banking and Financial Services
Basic transactions for Boomers were mainly conducted in person, and financial services were less accessible. There were fewer avenues to get credit.
Millennials enjoy the convenience of online banking, budgeting apps, and easy-to-use investment platforms, which streamline money management and planning—luxuries Boomers managed without.
Housing Market Volatility
While housing prices were lower relative to income, Boomers faced stricter lending requirements and higher interest rates, making obtaining mortgages extremely challenging.
Despite the challenges Millennials face in today’s housing market, Boomers’ experiences with housing crises were marked by volatility and uncertainty, impacting their ability to secure stable living conditions.
Consumer Rights And Protections
When Boomers lived during their era, consumer protection laws were less developed, so people were more exposed to fraudulent practices and unsafe products. Boomers were also not protected by comprehensive financial regulations.
Today, robust consumer protection laws provide a safer environment for financial transactions—a significant improvement from what Boomers had to contend with.
Workplace Safety Standards
Working conditions were more dangerous for Boomers, as were the environments they worked in with less stringent occupational safety standards. Work in many industries back then was hazardous and unprotected in many ways.
Workers have improved labor rights for Millennials, and safety standards have been established to protect them from what Boomers repeatedly face in the workplace.
Social Mobility and Class Divisions
Class matters during the Boomer era were more rigid, so an individual’s effort didn’t always translate into upward social and economic mobility. Social movements were met with outstanding rigidity from social structures regarding social mobility.
Although there are still plenty of challenges, millennials are facing a world of increasing upward mobility opportunities. The progress gained and work that remains to be done to achieve accurate equity can best be understood in the context of what the Boomers went through.
Every generation has its challenges, but understanding the trouble suffered by the Baby Boomer generation gives us the keys to the forces that have kicked their lives into gear. Millennials can benefit from learning from Boomers navigating economic instability, social upheaval, technological limitations, and health hazards. Empathy does not come quickly across generations, but we must understand each cohort’s difficulties and triumphs.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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