10 things boomers do that Gen Z thinks are ruining society

Introduction

I’ll be honest with you: I’m part of the boomer generation, and I’ve heard plenty of criticism from younger folks about how people my age are supposedly messing things up.

At first, I’ll admit I was defensive.

But after spending more time with my five grandchildren, the oldest of whom is now 14 and firmly in Gen Z territory, and after actually listening to what younger people are saying, I’ve come to realize they have some valid points.

Are boomers ruining society? That’s a strong claim.

But are we doing certain things that frustrate younger generations and maybe hold progress back? Yeah, I think we are.

So let me walk you through ten behaviors that Gen Z consistently calls out.

Some of these hit close to home for me. Others I’ve witnessed in friends my age.

And honestly? Understanding where they’re coming from has made me a better grandfather, friend, and member of my community.

1) Refusing to adapt to how people communicate now

Remember when you could just pick up the phone and call someone without warning? Well, Gen Z sees that as borderline aggressive.

They prefer texting, messaging apps, even voice notes. And you know what? After initially grumbling about it, I’ve learned to adapt.

My grandkids actually respond to my texts now, whereas my phone calls used to go straight to voicemail.

The resistance many boomers show to these new communication styles comes across as stubborn and dismissive.

Gen Z sees it as us refusing to meet them where they are, and they’re not entirely wrong.

2) Clinging to outdated workplace hierarchies

I spent 35 years in middle management at an insurance company, and I watched this play out constantly.

Boomers in leadership positions often expected younger employees to “pay their dues” the same way we did, working long hours and climbing the ladder slowly.

But Gen Z isn’t buying it. They value work-life balance, flexibility, and being judged on output rather than face time at the office.

When boomers dismiss these preferences as entitlement or laziness, it creates massive friction.

I’ve learned from mentoring younger employees that their approach isn’t about being lazy. It’s about working smarter, not just harder.

3) Dismissing mental health as “being too sensitive”

This one really gets to me because I made this mistake with my own son, Michael, when he struggled with anxiety in his twenties.

Back then, I didn’t understand. I thought he just needed to toughen up. Looking back, I’m ashamed of how I handled it.

Gen Z has normalized talking about therapy, anxiety, depression, and setting boundaries.

When boomers roll their eyes at this or suggest people just need to “get over it,” we’re perpetuating the same harmful attitudes that kept our generation suffering in silence.

Mental health is health. Period.

4) Resisting necessary environmental changes

I’ll be straightforward here: many people my age resist even minor inconveniences when it comes to environmental protection.

Reusable bags? Too much hassle. Electric vehicles? Too expensive. Reducing meat consumption? Not a chance.

Gen Z will inherit the planet we’re leaving behind, and they’re rightfully frustrated when boomers prioritize convenience over sustainability.

They see our resistance as selfish, and honestly, they have a point.

I’ve started making small changes myself. It’s not perfect, but at least I’m trying.

5) Pushing the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality

Here’s the thing: I did work hard to get where I am. I started as a claims adjuster and worked my way up over decades.

But the economic reality my grandchildren face is completely different from what I experienced.

Housing costs alone are astronomical compared to what they were in my twenties.

Student debt wasn’t the crisis it is now. Entry-level jobs used to come with pensions and benefits.

When boomers insist that young people just aren’t working hard enough, we’re ignoring the structural changes that have made upward mobility significantly harder.

Gen Z sees this as willful ignorance, and they’re frustrated by our refusal to acknowledge their reality.

6) Hoarding wealth and opportunities

This is uncomfortable to talk about, but it needs to be said.

Many boomers are sitting on significant wealth and assets while younger generations struggle to build any financial foundation.

I’m not saying we should apologize for what we’ve earned.

But when boomers oppose things like affordable housing initiatives or entry-level wage increases because it might slightly impact our property values or investments, Gen Z sees it as pulling the ladder up behind us.

They want the same opportunities we had, and many of us are actively or passively blocking their path.

7) Offering unsolicited advice constantly

Guilty as charged. I’ve caught myself doing this more times than I can count.

Whether it’s about career choices, relationships, or how to raise children, boomers love dispensing wisdom whether it’s asked for or not.

I learned this the hard way with my daughter Sarah when I tried to control her college choices. It damaged our relationship for years.

Gen Z doesn’t want our advice unless they specifically ask for it. They want support, not instructions.

And when we can’t resist sharing our thoughts on everything they’re doing “wrong,” it comes across as condescending and dismissive of their autonomy.

8) Invalidating their struggles and experiences

How many times have you heard someone my age say something like “Kids these days have it so easy” or “Back in my day, we had real problems”?

This drives Gen Z up the wall, and rightfully so.

Just because someone’s struggles look different from ours doesn’t make them less valid.

The pressure young people face from social media alone is something we never had to navigate.

The uncertainty about climate change, economic instability, and political polarization is real and overwhelming.

When boomers minimize these concerns, we’re essentially telling young people their feelings don’t matter. That’s not just unhelpful. It’s harmful.

9) Being willfully ignorant about technology

I get it. Technology moves fast. It’s overwhelming.

But there’s a difference between struggling to keep up and proudly declaring “I don’t do computers” or refusing to learn basic digital skills that have become essential for modern life.

I had to learn about social media and video games to stay connected with my teenage grandchildren.

Was it easy? No. But it was worth it.

And honestly, once I stopped resisting, I found it wasn’t as hard as I’d built it up to be in my mind.

Gen Z sees boomer technophobia as a choice, not an inevitability.

And they’re frustrated when we expect them to constantly accommodate our unwillingness to learn.

10) Being dismissive of social justice movements

This is perhaps the biggest divide I’ve noticed between generations.

Many boomers view discussions about systemic racism, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice issues as “too political” or “divisive.”

We tend to prefer the status quo because it’s familiar and comfortable.

But Gen Z has grown up with more diversity and awareness than we did.

When boomers dismiss their concerns about equality and justice as “wokeness gone mad” or suggest they’re being “too sensitive,” it reads as either ignorance or active opposition to progress.

I joined a book club a few years back where I’m the only man, and it opened my eyes to perspectives I’d never considered.

Being uncomfortable isn’t a bad thing. It’s often where growth happens.

So where does that leave us?

Look, I’m not saying boomers are terrible people or that Gen Z has everything figured out. Every generation has its blind spots.

But if we’re honest with ourselves, we have to acknowledge that some of our behaviors and attitudes are holding younger people back.

And more importantly, they’re preventing us from learning and growing too.

The question isn’t whether Gen Z is right to be frustrated. The question is: what are we going to do about it?

Are we going to dig in our heels and insist everything was better in our day? Or are we going to listen, adapt, and maybe even admit when we’re wrong?

I know which approach has made my relationships with my grandchildren stronger. Which one will you choose?