Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) had very different childhoods than Generation Z. In fact, there are certain things Baby Boomers did as children that would make Gen Zers cry if they should live the same way today.
Growing up, Boomers were often left to fend for themselves. This meant preparing their own dinner or taking care of the household chores while their parents worked. Because of their autonomy, some of the things boomers did then would be unthinkable today.
Generation Z, which is highly dependent on modern conveniences, cannot imagine what life might have been like for the previous generation.
Generation Z relies on technology; according to research by the Consumer Technology Association, 86 percent of Gen Zers say technology is essential to their lives. Because of this, the way boomers grew up seems foreign and strange. Here are 10 things baby boomers did as kids that would make Gen Z cry.
1. Using a landline
Before cell phones, if a baby boomer wanted to call his friends to go out or play, he had to get out of bed, pick up the receiver, and dial his friend’s number, all on one line fixed. Most Gen Zers could hear that and cry. They are used to the privilege of using their smartphones and not having to worry about having to call someone and multiple people overhearing the conversation. But boomers who wanted to contact someone did so in front of their family and with little privacy. For Gen Z, this would come as a shock, as they grew up in a technology-driven age where privacy is not just considered a luxury, but a right.
2. Walking home from school
One of the things baby boomers did that would make Gen Zers cry is not getting picked up or dropped off at school. Most Gen Zers took the bus to and from school. They could put on their headphones, sit back and relax during the ride. However, Gen Zers have probably never experienced the grueling drive home after school. Boomers walked to and from school in all weathers. If they wanted to get home or go out with friends, they had to walk. Unlike Gen Z, their parents weren’t there to guide them and their safety wasn’t much of a concern. Fortunately, boomers who walked to and from school likely improved their mood and creativity as a result of walking. But for Gen Z, this would probably be a nightmare. Growing up in an increasingly dangerous society, the thought of walking alone would never cross their minds.
3. To drink water from the hose
When people are thirsty, they get out of bed and go to the kitchen to pour themselves a glass of water, which is usually filtered.
Playing outside for hours on end in hot weather, if baby boomers wanted something to drink, they used the only thing available: the water hose. In the eyes of Gen Z, this probably looks unhygienic and disgusting. And if they had to do it today, they certainly wouldn’t be happy.
4. Play outside unsupervised
Most members of Gen Z would never have been left unattended as children. When they were allowed to go outside, their parents would periodically check on them through the window. But this reality is different from that of boomers who, as children, were raised to be hyper-independent. Left to their own devices, boomers grew up living on the edge and being rebellious, so playing outside unsupervised wasn’t considered shocking. Gen Zers, on the other hand, would cry if they heard that boomers were left unsupervised most of the time. For this younger generation, having “helicopter parents” could have been a disadvantage, as research in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that this type of parenting increased the risk of depression and anxiety. The researchers concluded that this parenting style undermined the child’s competence.
5. Sitting in the back of a truck without a seat belt
Back in the day, safety rules were practically non-existent. No one cared if someone wasn’t wearing a seat belt or if their child stayed up late with friends. And riding on the back of trucks was definitely on the list of things baby boomers did as kids that would make Gen Z cry. Parents let their kids do risky things all the time. But Gen Z probably wouldn’t be put in the same situation.
6. Riding a bike without a helmet
When Generation Z rode their bikes, parents told them to wear helmets for safety reasons and were warned that riding without protection could lead to brain damage. However, boomers did not have overly concerned parents as children. They pedaled as fast as they could without any head protection. This would make Gen Zers cry because they grew up with the motto “safety first”. They wear a helmet every time they ride a bike and they don’t risk their health for it. For boomers, reckless cycling was normal and they didn’t care if they got bruises after falling off their bikes.
7. To go to the library
If a baby boomer needed information, they had limited options. The information was not immediately available at their fingertips; rather, they had to rely on encyclopedias and old books. If they needed help with homework, they went to the library. Unlike Generation Z, who have internet on their phone or laptop, Boomers needed to read books. It was probably an arduous process, but it may have benefited them in the end. According to research in Advances in Child Development and Behavior, reading improves vocabulary, increases knowledge of the world, and increases abstract reasoning skills. For Gen Z, if they had to read dozens of books to get information, they would cry if they had to do it today. After all, nothing beats the convenience of having any information at your fingertips.
8. Going shopping
Going to the grocery store in the middle of the day was not abnormal for the boomer generation. If their parents wanted cigarettes or a soda, they would walk to the store. There were no companies that could deliver essential products, and if they weren’t sure they got the right product, they hoped for the best because they didn’t have a phone to call home. Of all the things baby boomers did as kids that would make Gen Z cry, the inconvenience of going to the grocery store is the most important. If the weather is bad and Gen Z needs shopping, they can order online.
9. Talking to strangers
Generation Z has no doubt been warned about “stranger danger”. But during boomer childhoods, parents were usually inattentive. That meant baby boomers were talking to people they didn’t know, whether it was giving directions or lending a helping hand. Talking to strangers is one of those things baby boomers did as kids that would make Gen Z cry. Gen Z tend not to talk to people face to face, especially those they don’t know. In fact, according to a survey conducted by LivePerson, a global technology company, 65% of people between the ages of 18 and 34 prefer digital communication. Nowadays, people of all generations are careful who they talk to, but back in the day it was normal for boomers.
10. Channel change without remote control
Generation Z can spend hours watching TV. With the help of the remote control, they can scroll through their favorite shows, all without commercials or even getting up. But baby boomers had to get off the couch if they wanted to change the channel by manually changing it from the TV itself. The TV remote control was considered a luxury until the 1980s, when it began to become more widespread. Although considered normal for most boomers, this inconvenience would make Gen Zers cry, he writes yourtango.com.
Source: ziare.com
