Jason Mustian
I grew up surrounded by boomers. My parents, my bosses, my coaches—basically every adult who had authority over me until my late 20s. (Minus my hot Gen X 7th grade math teacher who I definitely had a crush on.)
They shaped me in a lot of good ways. But they also say things that feel like they’ve been in a time capsule since 1987. Some of it comes from wanting the best for you. Some of it is just… stubborn nostalgia.
Here’s the thing: I don’t think most boomers mean to be condescending. But a lot of the “wisdom” they pass down doesn’t land in 2025 the way they think it does.
Here are the big ones.
1. “I worked hard for everything I have.”
Yes, you did. No one’s saying you didn’t.
But this ignores how much the economic playing field has shifted. In the 1970s, you could work a single job, buy a house, and still have money for vacations. Today, salaries haven’t kept up with housing costs, student loans are crushing, and a decent one-bedroom in most cities costs more than a mortgage did back then.
It’s not that millennials don’t work hard—it’s that hard work doesn’t buy the same stability anymore. Saying this can make it sound like younger people are just lazy or entitled, when really the economy is completely different. A little empathy (and maybe a glance at Zillow) goes a long way.
2. “No one wants to work anymore.”
Translation: “People don’t want to work for low pay and zero benefits.”
Yes, work ethic matters. But so does fair compensation. A lot of younger workers are simply refusing jobs that don’t cover their basic cost of living or respect their time. That’s not laziness—it’s boundaries.
Boomers grew up in an era where even entry-level jobs often came with stability and benefits. Today, many companies treat employees as disposable, which changes the relationship people have with work. Instead of assuming people are entitled, maybe recognize they’ve recalibrated their standards for survival—and sanity.
3. “Just buy a house.”
This one is almost adorable in its simplicity. As if there’s a magic “starter home” section of the market where a nice bungalow costs $85K.
Even if you have a stable job, saving for a down payment can take years—especially with rent eating 40% of your income. And then there’s the joy of competing with cash buyers, investors, and record-high interest rates.
Boomers aren’t wrong that owning can be more stable long-term. But in many markets, “just buy a house” is about as realistic as “just win the lottery.” It’s not a lack of desire—it’s a lack of access.
4. “Kids today are too sensitive.”
Sometimes, sure. But often this is code for “You’re holding people accountable for bad behavior we used to let slide.”
Boomers grew up with different norms around mental health, language, and workplace culture. Conversations about racism, sexism, and inclusivity weren’t as common—or as urgent.
Now, calling out harmful comments isn’t “being sensitive”—it’s setting a standard for respect. While there’s room for balance (not every offhand remark is worth a meltdown), dismissing entire generations as “too sensitive” ignores the fact that many changes have made life better for everyone.
5. “We didn’t have all these mental health problems.”
Or maybe you just didn’t talk about them.
Boomers grew up in a time when therapy was stigmatized, antidepressants were barely an option, and the expectation was to “tough it out.” That doesn’t mean depression, anxiety, or PTSD didn’t exist—it means people suffered in silence.
Now, there’s more awareness and more language to name what people are feeling. That’s progress, not weakness. Yes, some diagnoses get overused online, but overall, acknowledging mental health issues saves lives.
6. “If you can’t pay cash, you can’t afford it.”
In theory, this is solid advice. In practice, it’s not realistic for big-ticket essentials.
Housing, education, and sometimes even reliable transportation require financing in today’s economy. And unlike the low interest rates of decades past, loans now often come with much heavier long-term costs.
While avoiding debt is smart, shaming people for taking on loans ignores the systemic changes that make debt nearly unavoidable for major life milestones. Financial literacy should be about strategy, not purity tests.
7. “When I was your age, I already had a house and two kids.”
And when you were my age, the median home price was three times your annual income—not ten.
This statement often comes from a place of pride, but it lands as judgment. Many millennials actually want families and stability, but economic realities, housing costs, and career instability delay those timelines.
Comparing life stages across decades doesn’t work when the baseline conditions are completely different. It’s not a lack of ambition—it’s the math.
8. “We got by without all this technology.
Sure. And you also got by without antibiotics for strep throat—doesn’t mean we should go back.
Technology has changed how we work, communicate, and manage daily life. While not every new app is necessary, many tools (from navigation to online banking) have genuinely improved efficiency and accessibility.
Boomers sometimes treat technology as a luxury rather than the infrastructure it’s become. Yes, we could live without it, but why would we intentionally make life harder?
9. “Young people want everything handed to them.”
This one stings because it assumes bad intent.
Yes, younger generations want convenience—but so does everyone. That’s why microwaves, online shopping, and fast food exist. The difference is, boomers see their own shortcuts as practical, but ours as spoiled.
Wanting fair wages, affordable housing, or work-life balance isn’t entitlement—it’s basic human need. And while there will always be people looking for the easy way out, most are just trying to survive without burning out.
Bottom line.
At the end of the day, most of these phrases aren’t meant to be cruel. They’re habits—things boomers heard from their parents, just like we’ll have our own outdated advice one day. The gap isn’t really about age; it’s about context. They built their worldview in a completely different economy, culture, and pace of life.
That said, words matter. When someone younger hears these lines, it can feel like their reality is being dismissed. The best conversations I’ve had with boomers happened when both of us actually listened—when I stopped assuming they were stubborn and they stopped assuming I was entitled.
So maybe that’s the real takeaway: we don’t have to agree on every detail of “how the world works,” but we do have to respect that it’s not the same world for everyone.