People Raised In The 70s & 80s Usually Keep 9 Things In Their Homes That Younger Generations Would Throw Away
kaboompics.com | Pexels Despite being an increasingly sustainable generation, there are things Gen Z doesn't need to keep around.
But for people who grew up in the 70s and 80s, those same things are incredibly valuable. Some things just aren't as important for young people to cherish, despite being important heirlooms and practical items for their parents.
Younger generations throw the things away that people raised in the 70s and 80s keep at home
1. Family heirlooms
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Many younger generations are less interested in holding onto the family heirlooms that their parents cherished greatly in their own homes. Whether it's a lack of space or a change in material priorities, the fine china and old-school wooden furniture from their grandparents' home isn't of interest to keep taking care of.
They might donate it rather than throwing it away. They might even say "no" when asked if they want it. Regardless, it's not a piece of home decor they value enough to have in their own homes.
2. Physical recipe cards and boxes
Many Gen Zers lack the skills they need to cook for themselves from scratch, at least compared to Gen Xers and boomers who grew up in a time where they had no choice. They tend to be major consumers of convenience foods and delivery, so they're not particularly fond of letting physical recipes take up space in their homes.
With access to anything they need on their phones, they're not taking the time to write down recipes. And with their interest in family heirlooms also declining, they're not likely to hold onto their family's recipe box, despite being a treasure trove for older generations.
3. Carpet
Many consumers and homeowners are shifting away from carpeted homes, despite being a nostalgic staple of living in the 70s and 80s. That's why it's still a foundation of Gen X homes, because there's something sentimental about it.
But Gen Zers aren't attached to it. Young people value their free time and micro-experiences, so they don't need another chore that asks them to sacrifice, even if that means tearing out and throwing away historic carpet.
4. Magazines
Many Gen Zers are appreciating print media like magazines and newspapers again in an effort to disconnect from their phones. But to the extent that Gen Xers cherish these nostalgic forms of media, there's a clear generational difference.
Gen Xers hold onto magazines and comic books from their childhood, cherishing them as a nostalgic connection to their upbringing. But for Gen Zers, they're not a staple of home decor in their historically small living spaces.
5. Paper receipts
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Many older generations have held onto financial habits like balancing checkbooks and monitoring their bank accounts by using print receipts. They stack them in a very specific part of their home and, at some point, go through them all at once.
Compared to Gen Zers who are collectively being financially avoidant, they couldn't be more different. Not only are Gen Zers more likely to spend throughout the month without tracking their spending, but they rarely ask for receipts. They have access to everything they need on their phones, after all.
6. Food leftovers
Without the skills to cook for themselves, many Gen Zers have a somewhat limited ability to reduce and waste their leftovers. Even those cooking for themselves may still be figuring out how to make just enough food for their household size.
So, despite being somewhat sustainable compared to other generations, throwing out leftovers is still commonplace, compared to older generations who make an effort to use and eat everything they make.
7. Instruction manuals
On top of being "replacers" over "fixers," younger generations would prefer to keep track of things online. They're digital natives, so even if they do get a print instruction manual, they can just look it up online and use it that way.
For people raised in the 70s and 80s, they have plenty of practice storing and keeping track of important papers and documents. They were raised in the age of printers and filing cabinets, where there was no other option than to hold onto a manual or warranty card they may never use.
8. Plastic bags
Many Gen Zers are inherently more sustainable than other generations, and even avoid supporting and buying from brands who overuse plastic containers and bags. They may not be throwing away plastic bags, but they're certainly not a staple in their homes in comparison to reusable totes.
However, there's somewhat of a generational ritual that Gen Xers have been socialized into around plastic bags. They all have hundreds of plastic bags stored, even if they're rarely used. They're resourceful, and sometimes, that means holding onto things they could use in the future.
9. Physical media and CDs
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Many Gen Zers don't even have a driver's license yet, let alone a car old enough to still have a CD player inside of it. They don't have VHS players, hence their lack of interest in holding onto old family movies and VHS tapes. They're not even using cassette tapes, despite making a shift to more analog forms of entertainment.
Even if it seems like a crime to their parents, in the name of saving space and managing clutter, they're probably throwing out or donating all these Gen X treasures. But there are plenty of older generations who still have a CD binder tucked into the back seat of their car or a Walkman collecting dust somewhere in a box at home.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
