People Raised In The 60s, 70s & 80s Usually Get Frustrated By 9 Things Younger Generations Do Pretty Regularly
goodluz | Shutterstock The younger crowd's purported laziness that riles up the older folks isn't as black-and-white as it seems, however. A New York University professor said their apathy comes from the feeling that things will never improve economically or socially for them.
This doesn’t stop people who grew up in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s from getting annoyed by the little things that young people do daily.
Regular things young people do that people raised in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s get easily frustrated by:
1. Being glued to their phones
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Younger generations have become obsessed with their phones. A study found that modern teenagers spend their nights doomscrolling and struggle to fall asleep to rest properly before school the next morning. They spend roughly an hour or more on their phones between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., cutting into their recommended 8-10 hours of sleep. Younger generations are becoming increasingly glued to their phone screens, doing whatever it takes to feed their need for social media and virtual conversation.
The older generations don’t understand it. When they were growing up, social connection depended on in-person or phone conversations. However, a study found that people 60 and older are using their phones more, making their distaste for the younger generation’s obsession a bit hypocritical.
Believe it or not, they are more likely to own technology like tablets, smart TVs, and e-readers than 25-year-olds. While they may not be glued to their phones, they are certainly more invested in the digital age than they may realize.
2. Putting themselves first
When it comes to caring for their mental health, the younger generations are far better at it than the older ones. A study found that they have a stronger sense of mental health literacy. This allows them to understand their feelings, what they mean, and how to get help when they need it. Even if this means it cuts into their work life or socialization. They’re not afraid to take mental health days, and encourage others to do the same.
The study also found that for older generations, mental health was taboo. They didn’t talk about it often, and if they did, social norms made them feel like an outcast. They had an attitude that they had to power through, no matter what. This might make them frustrated when young people put themselves first rather than doing what is expected of them in society.
3. Dodging phone calls
A survey found that a quarter of 18-to 34-year-olds never answer their phones. Nearly 70% preferred a text to a phone call.
Relying on virtual forms of communication is something older generations may not understand. Most grew up without cell phones, and those who experienced the early models didn’t have the same benefits of apps and text.
Picking up the phone and calling someone was the only way to reach people in previous generations. They had to fight with their siblings to use the landline and cold-call their friends’ houses to talk to them. They may get frustrated that younger generations avoid their phone calls, having lost the art of a good, fulfilling phone conversation without typing in a text bubble.
4. Seeking validation and attention
Older people are more likely to have high self-esteem than younger ones, research found. Since older generations range from their 40s to their 80s, they may be more confident and do not need validation for everything they do. The 40-plus crowd found approval within themselves, making sure to follow societal norms to fit in.
When someone seeks validation and approval from others, it’s a sign they have low self-esteem. Since the study found that younger people are more likely to lack confidence than others, it would make sense that they need support from the people around them to feel secure in their work and decision-making.
While older generations were raised with more independence, younger ones were more sheltered. This could be why they are invested in receiving approval from others, because they had their parents weighing in on their lives from an early age, giving them the validation they crave.
5. Challenging the status quo
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Older people tend to put more importance on conformity and shared values, a survey found. Instead of pushing the limits and leaning into their individuality, they often choose to stick to what everyone else was doing. Half of surveyed 50-and-up Americans believed their parents saw them as average. They followed along with the pack, often afraid to stand out.
Now, younger people are being encouraged to express themselves however they’d like. This might mean getting tattoos or choosing a less traditional family life. These little changes challenge the status quo older generations created, which can be frustrating for those who wish things would stay the same.
6. Recording every aspect of their lives for social media
Social media has become the center of young people’s lives. Some use it to find validation, make friends, or even create a business that takes them out of the traditional 9-5 work setting. It’s not surprising that people from older generations don’t understand the hype behind these apps, especially when it means documenting every moment of your life for the world to see. They don’t go to the gym or on a trip to the grocery store to film content. Rather, it’s part of everyday life, not something worth recording.
What they may not understand is humans have been obsessed with documenting themselves for centuries. Medieval art is the perfect example, says Arizona State University. Whole families were painted to preserve their memory. The same could be said for the older generations' obsession with photographing everything. They may not understand the appeal of making constant videos, but it’s in the same vein as past self-documenting tactics.
7. Avoiding uncomfortable situations
How we react to different situations can depend on our age. A study found that when some tensions occur, older folks are quick to react. This may come from how often they had to go along with what was happening in the world, even if it made them uncomfortable. They pushed through, and if it stressed them out, they tried not to show it.
A recent study found that people in their 20s and 30s are experiencing more stress. They don’t know what the future will look like as they age. Since they are already overwhelmed, they might avoid any uncomfortable situation they can wiggle their way out of in hopes of benefiting their mental health.
8. Expecting instant gratification
Younger people are becoming used to instant rewards. With the world at their fingertips, they rarely have to wait for anything. Social Media, TV streaming, and overnight delivery have made patience become a lost art. Long-term goals are less appealing because playing the waiting game is something they are not used to.
It’s not uncommon for older generations to get frustrated with this. The group that would mail in the back of cereal boxes to get a toy knows a thing or two about patience. They don’t expect things to come to them instantly; rather, they work hard for what they need.
9. Relying on technology for everything
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When was the last time you picked up a book to answer a question? You may not even remember. The internet has revolutionized how we process the world around us. Answers to any question we have are one Google search away. Gone are the days of encyclopedias and dictionaries.
This can be frustrating for people who grew up with books and street smarts. They couldn’tlook up the answers to anything they wanted or find the answers to their homework with ease. They may think that young people are lazy because they don’t have the same work ethic that came from doing their own research. It took critical thinking skills to advance when they were growing up, something they may think young people lack.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
