Lisa O
Have you ever felt frustrated because your Wi-Fi acted up or your Instagram post didn’t get many likes? Well, let’s take a step back. The generation before us—the Baby Boomers, faced huge challenges when they were growing up. Yet, they’ve shown incredible intelligence and resilience throughout their lives—even as they age. Here are 20 reasons baby boomers are tougher than younger generations!
Long Walks to School
In the past, during the Baby Boomer era—snow days were very rare. It’s said that Baby Boomers had to brave the snow like adventurers just to get to school. Schools hardly ever closed due to bad weather, so they missed out on fun, unexpected days off, or sledding during the week.
Pre-Google Research
Back when Boomers were growing up, Google wasn’t a search engine—it was just a big number. If they had a question, they couldn’t just grab their phone and find the answer instantly. They had to go to the library, search through card catalogs, and sift through huge encyclopedias. Getting information wasn’t as easy as it is now, making life harder for them.
Dreaming of Luxuries
Think about your grandma back in the day. She couldn’t just splurge on fancy designer stuff like we can now. Those high-end products were crazy expensive—sometimes costing as much as taking out a loan or, jokingly, selling a kidney! Boomers didn’t have as many luxuries, so even small treats felt like huge wins. They worked hard to afford nice things, often saving up for special occasions like Christmas.
Finding Important Papers
Before Google Drive, finding important papers was like searching for hidden treasure. Imagine trying to find your birth certificate among heaps of bills, forms, and papers—it was like playing a super stressful game of Where’s Waldo. Boomers had to put in a lot more effort to keep things organized and find important information. The internet was just a word back then.
Close-to-Home Vacations
Going on quick trips to tropical islands wasn’t a thing for most Boomers. Their idea of a big trip was visiting family in another state or camping nearby. Plane tickets cost a lot, and going to exotic places was almost impossible. They mostly stayed close to home, meaning they didn’t get many chances to explore the world.
Silent Mind Struggles
Back in the day, people didn’t talk about mental health issues. Boomers didn’t have access to therapists or much information about mental health. Coping with stress and other struggles was something they had to do alone—which made dealing with their emotions even tougher. Going to a therapist wasn’t something they thought about or even knew about.
Long-Distance Love Letters
If your sweetheart lived far away back then, it wasn’t easy to stay connected. Boomers had to rely on sending letters, which took forever to arrive. Making phone calls was very expensive, and there were no video calls like we have now. This made keeping a long-distance relationship very hard. They could go months without hearing from their loved ones.
Tough Work Life
Let’s face it: Boomers had jobs that millennials and Gen Z wouldn’t even believe. They worked long hours doing physical work, and their bosses didn’t care much about balancing work and life. There were no fun perks like ping-pong tables or days off for mental health. It was all about working hard with very little time and pleasure, showing just how tough their jobs were.
Impact of the Vietnam War
We need to discuss the Vietnam War. It wasn’t just a news story for Boomers—it was a real part of their lives. Being drafted meant their lives and plans were suddenly on pause. This event greatly impacted Boomers, much bigger than many millennials can understand. Almost every young man had to sign up with the government in case they were drafted.
Slow Internet Connections
Back then, connecting to the internet sounded like a grumpy robot—and not everyone could afford it. Once you finally did connect, it took forever for a single page to load. In the time it took, you could literally make a sandwich, eat it, and wash the dishes. Slow browsing meant things took longer and left folks feeling way more frustrated.
Limited TV Choices And Colors
Picture this: watching all your favorite shows in black and white. And if you wanted to change the channel, you had to get up and turn a dial! TV wasn’t as easy or colorful back then, which shows how Boomers had fewer entertainment choices than we do now. They didn’t have options like Netflix or Prime either.
Simple Shopping Options
Back then, Boomers only had a few stores to pick from at the mall for new clothes. Usually, there was just one department store—kind of like a real-life “one-size-fits-most” situation. Options were pretty limited! And if you were a certain size or had a specific style, well, tough luck! Finding the right fashion was like taking a chance.
Rare Fast Food Treats
While you might complain about your sushi taking longer to arrive, Boomers didn’t have delivery apps or many fast-food places to choose from. If they craved something like a burger or a milkshake, they often had to hop in the car and drive to the nearest town. When they finally got their treat, it was savored like a rare delicacy—because it truly was!
Waiting for Letters
Waiting for a text back from your crush might feel like forever, but imagine being a Boomer. Instead of quick emojis and GIFs, they had to write letters by hand, find a stamp, and walk to the mailbox. Then came the waiting game—sometimes waiting days or weeks for a reply. They had to be very patient just to keep in touch with friends.
Music on Records & Tapes
Boomers didn’t have Spotify or Apple Music, or even CDs. Nope, they listened to music on vinyl records and cassette tapes—which were very big and easily damaged. Just one scratch on a vinyl and your favorite song was gone. Plus, you had to manually rewind or fast-forward to find your favorite tracks. There was no “play button.”
Cash & Check Payments Only
These days, if our Apple Pay doesn’t cooperate, we grumble. But Boomers? They lived in a world where using plastic money was like something out of a sci-fi movie. They carried around stacks of cash and a checkbook because credit cards hadn’t been invented yet, making shopping a lot more complicated. You had to count every bill and sometimes wait in line to get a check approved.
Enduring Extreme Weather
Think about enduring scorching summers without the luxury of air conditioning or freezing winters without the comfort of modern heating. That’s what a lot of Boomers experienced. In those days, homes didn’t have the fancy climate-control systems we enjoy today. You’d rely on fans that hardly cool things down or bundle up in layers of clothing and cross your fingers for warmth.
Active Childhood Games
Back in the day, Boomers played classics like hide-and-seek, tag, or marbles instead of video games. Board games were the “high-tech” choice for fun, but you had to gather in the same room with real people to play. Sure, these games were enjoyable, but let’s face it—they also meant a lot of running around, sweat, and scraped knees.
Facing Bullying Without Support
Have you ever thought about why Baby Boomers are so tough? Well, they often had to deal with bullies, whether at school, in their neighborhoods, or even at home. They faced tough times without much help. Their strength wasn’t just a reaction to hard times—it became a big part of who they were. Boomers aren’t just survivors; they’re fighters.
Growing Up Alone
For many Baby Boomers, coming home from school meant walking into an empty house—no parents around. They were often called latchkey kids because both parents worked outside the home. So they had to take care of themselves until their parents got back. But here’s the twist: Baby Boomers actually enjoyed their independence. Instead of feeling lonely, they learned to look after themselves from a young age.