"Get Off My Lawn"

Baby boomers have taken one on the chin lately.  With the OK, Boomer trope, we’ve been scorned and ridiculed for being out of touch and for trivializing an entire generation or two.  Do we deserve such insolence?  Yes and no. 

I was born in the peak of Boomerhood.  Guilty as charged -- I haven’t gotten the hang of texting with my thumbs and, breaking the habit of adding two spaces after a period is not easy.  I didn’t walk 9 miles in the snow to attend anti-war demonstrations; but I did hitchhike many miles in the snow (I attended college in New England) to participate in these rallies.  I don’t have a lawn, nor have not become more conservative with age (as my older cousin predicted). I’m more inclined to vote for a Buttigieg over a Biden.

Debunking Stereotypes

Many of my friends are from other generations.  I count on them to help me stay relevant and to let me know if my ideas are outdated or if I’m spending too much time talking about my latest colonoscopy. I’m constantly inspired by their energy and, in some cases, activism.  I’ve never wanted to be reduced to a cultural stereotype and work hard at fighting my urge to reduce others in this way.

True some Gen Xers, Millenials/GenYers and Gen Zers are spoiled rotten. Boomers contributed to their entitled attitude; they are, after all, our children and grandchildren.  But some boomers were spoiled rotten, too; need I mention our current commander-in-chief? 

“Tear Down This Wall”

Although healthy people my age are moving to senior living or retirement communities, such self-imposed ghettos frighten me.  My current neighborhood is noisy; teenagers roam the street talking loudly, music blares from cars, babies cry next door.  I don’t always love the noise but I appreciate these signs of life. Segregating ourselves in our communities does nothing to break down barriers, regardless of which side of the fence you live.

As others have pointed out, generational stereotypes just don’t hold up to scrutiny; they’re largely myth.  Nevertheless, it’s tempting to put others in boxes.  Baby boomers didn’t grow up with technology; we may take a little longer to embrace advances but not all of us are technophobes.  Gen Y and Zers didn’t grow up with the teachings of Emily Post; they may not know that acknowledging a gift is courteous, but not all of them are disrespectful dolts.

Let’s call a truce to the war of generations; OK, Gen X, Y, Z and Boomers?