18 Things Baby Boomers Did That Would Astonish Gen Z
Every generation has its own unique experiences, cultural norms, and societal expectations. What was once considered acceptable or even commonplace can seem shocking or unbelievable to younger generations. For Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, many aspects of their childhood and young adult lives would likely surprise or even shock those in Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s.
Let’s explore 18 things that were part of the Baby Boomer experience that would likely leave Gen Z scratching their heads or picking their jaws up off the floor. From outdated technology to questionable safety practices, these generational differences highlight just how much the world has changed in a relatively short period of time.
Smoking Everywhere, All the Time
For Baby Boomers, smoking was a ubiquitous part of daily life. People smoked in restaurants, offices, airplanes, and even hospitals. Cigarette advertisements were everywhere, and smoking was often portrayed as a stylish and sophisticated habit. In contrast, Gen Z has grown up in a world where smoking is heavily regulated and the health risks are widely known.
Riding in Cars Without Seat Belts
Before the widespread use of seat belts and car seats, it was common for Baby Boomers to ride in cars unrestrained. Children would often bounce around in the back seat or even stand up to look out the window. To Gen Z, who have grown up with strict car safety laws and a much greater awareness of the risks of accidents, the idea of riding without a seat belt seems incredibly dangerous.
Drinking Water from the Hose
For many Baby Boomers, drinking from the garden hose on a hot summer day was a common and refreshing treat. However, the idea of drinking unfiltered tap water, potentially containing contaminants and chemicals, would likely make most Gen Zers cringe.
Playing with Dangerous Toys
Many of the toys that Baby Boomers played with as children would be considered far too dangerous by today’s standards. Lawn darts, for example, which were essentially large metal spikes that were thrown at a target in the ground, caused thousands of injuries and were eventually banned. Other popular toys, like Easy-Bake Ovens and chemistry sets, also posed significant safety risks that would be unacceptable to modern parents.
Using Rotary Phones
For Baby Boomers, making a phone call involved using a rotary dial phone, which required physically dialing each number by turning the dial and waiting for it to rotate back. In an age of smartphones and voice commands, the idea of using such a slow and cumbersome device is almost unimaginable to Gen Z.
Watching Black and White TV
Many Baby Boomers grew up with black and white televisions, which only had a few channels and required frequent adjustments to the antenna to get a clear picture. To Gen Z, who have grown up with high-definition, full-color screens and endless streaming options, the idea of watching TV in black and white seems like a relic from ancient history.
Typing on Manual Typewriters
Before the advent of personal computers and word processors, Baby Boomers relied on manual typewriters to create documents and correspondence. These machines required significant physical effort to use and made it difficult to correct mistakes. Gen Z, who have grown up with the convenience and speed of digital technology, would likely find using a manual typewriter to be a frustrating and time-consuming experience.
Using Physical Maps for Navigation
In the days before GPS and mobile map apps, Baby Boomers relied on physical maps and written directions to navigate from place to place. Reading a map and planning a route was an essential skill, and getting lost was a much more common occurrence. For Gen Z, who have always had access to digital navigation tools, the idea of using a physical map seems like an unnecessary and confusing hassle.
Paying for Long-Distance Phone Calls
For Baby Boomers, making a long-distance phone call was a significant expense that required careful budgeting and planning. Calls were charged by the minute, and rates were much higher than they are today. In contrast, Gen Z has grown up with unlimited calling plans and the ability to communicate with anyone, anywhere, at any time, for little or no cost.
Listening to Music on Vinyl Records
Before the rise of digital music and streaming services, Baby Boomers listened to music on vinyl records. These large, fragile discs required a turntable and careful handling to prevent scratches and damage. To Gen Z, who are used to having instant access to millions of songs on their phones or computers, the idea of physically manipulating a record to listen to music seems like a quaint and cumbersome process.
Buying Pre-Sliced and Packaged Foods
In the early days of mass-produced, pre-packaged foods, many Baby Boomers embraced the convenience of products like TV dinners, canned vegetables, and processed snacks. However, as awareness of the health risks associated with these foods has grown, Gen Z has increasingly turned to fresh, whole foods and plant-based diets.
Memorizing Phone Numbers
Before the widespread use of cell phones and digital contact lists, Baby Boomers had to memorize the phone numbers of their friends, family, and important contacts. It was common to have a personal phone book or Rolodex filled with numbers, and being able to recall them from memory was a valuable skill. For Gen Z, who have always had the ability to store and access contact information digitally, the idea of memorizing phone numbers seems like an unnecessary and impractical task.
Writing Letters and Postcards
For Baby Boomers, staying in touch with friends and family often meant writing letters and postcards. The act of physically writing out a message, addressing an envelope, and mailing it was a common and cherished part of daily life. In contrast, Gen Z has grown up with the instant gratification of text messaging, email, and social media, and the idea of waiting days or weeks for a response seems almost unimaginable.
Using Phone Booths and Pay Phones
Before the widespread use of cell phones, Baby Boomers relied on phone booths and pay phones to make calls while away from home. These public phones required coins or calling cards to operate and were often located in busy areas like street corners and shopping malls. To Gen Z, the idea of having to find and use a public phone seems like a strange and inconvenient hassle.
Driving Cars with Manual Transmissions
For many Baby Boomers, learning to drive meant mastering the art of using a manual transmission. Shifting gears and using a clutch was a necessary skill, and cars with automatic transmissions were often seen as a luxury. Today, the vast majority of cars have automatic transmissions, and many Gen Zers have never even seen a manual shifter.
Wearing Seatbelts in the Back Seat (Or Not at All)
In the early days of car safety, it was common for Baby Boomers to ride in the back seat without wearing a seatbelt. In fact, many cars didn’t even have seatbelts in the back seat until the late 1960s. For Gen Z, who have grown up with strict seatbelt laws and a much greater awareness of the risks of car accidents, the idea of riding unrestrained seems incredibly dangerous.
Letting Kids Play Outside Unsupervised
For Baby Boomers, it was common for children to spend long hours playing outside without adult supervision. Kids would roam the neighborhood, ride bikes, and explore the woods and fields around their homes. In contrast, Gen Z has grown up in a world where “stranger danger” and a fear of abduction have led to much greater restrictions on children’s freedom and independence.
Spanking and Corporal Punishment
For many Baby Boomers, physical discipline in the form of spanking or paddling was a common and accepted part of parenting. Parents and teachers alike often used corporal punishment as a way to enforce rules and correct misbehavior. However, as attitudes towards child-rearing have changed and research has shown the negative effects of physical punishment, Gen Z is much more likely to view these practices as abusive and unacceptable.
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