People Raised In The 60s, 70s & 80s Usually Get Emotional About 9 Things Younger Generations Don’t Really Care About
goodluz / Shutterstock Baby boomers and Gen X grew up in far more personal times. Younger generations spend huge amounts of time texting and posting on social media, while older people focused on building tight networks.
While out and about forging these connections, people raised in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s made cherished memories that make them feel emotional and nostalgic when they look back on them now. But no matter how hard they might try to explain their feelings to their kids and grandkids, those youngsters generally don't really care about them all that much.
If someone was raised in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, they probably get emotional about these things that younger generations don't care about much
1. Hearing their favorite music on the radio
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People born in the 60s, 70s, and 80s got to live through some of the most incredible moments of music history. From the Beatles and Elvis to grunge and synth-pop, I’m jealous of the concerts they got to see.
They didn’t have the luxury of hearing songs on demand. Instead, they’d have to buy the album or wait to hear them on the radio.
The radio gave Americans their deepest connections to music, revolutionizing the industry. People bonded over these songs, and it just isn’t the same for the younger generations.
2. Old family photos
When I was young, I remember going through boxes of old photos with my grandma and aunt. It was amazing to see the family history that went back decades. It would make us emotional to see people who had passed away or old family homes. These generations were more intentional about taking photos.
Although younger millennials take the most photos of any generation, so many of them are digital. From digital cameras to the phones in their pockets, the act of taking a photo has been lost. Memory cards and phone storage have replaced film, and they can snap a picture of anything at any time. While photos make older generations feel sentimental, younger generations have endless photos of random things on their phones.
3. Having regular family dinners
Family dinners have always been special. They give everyone a chance to bond and share what happened during their day. This quality time is important. The food matters less than the connections, which allow children to feel safer opening up to their parents and coming to them when they need help.
Sadly, the family dinner is becoming a lost art. We are all moving a mile a minute in our daily lives. Parents work late, and kids have a ton of after-school activities. When the whole gang can finally get together, you may notice your parents are emotional. It may not be a big deal to you, but to them, it’s special and nostalgic.
4. Calling someone just to talk
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I’m a millennial, and I’ll be honest, talking on the phone can make me feel anxious. Even though I mostly feel this way with strangers, the same could be said for calls with family and friends. The occasional awkward silence eats me alive. However, older generations prefer this means of communication over texting or talking on social media.
Although millennials and Gen Z are developing crippling phone anxiety, their parents’ generation loved talking on the phone. Sitting by the family landline was their favorite hobby when they were growing up. They talked for hours with their friends, and catching up with a phone call might make them feel emotional.
5. Spending quality time with people in person
FaceTime can make us feel closer to our loved ones. We see them through the screen, which is especially beneficial when you live far apart. However, many boomers and Gen Xers prefer spending time with their friends and family in person. Socializing was a major part of their youth. From drive-in movies to spending time at late-night coffee shops, they were around each other often instead of sending memes on social media and calling it hanging out with friends.
Many Gen Xers grew up as latchkey kids, spending countless hours alone after school while their parents worked. This might be why they find spending time in person so important. They valued time with their friends, but had little quality time with their parents.
6. The state of the world today
The world is vastly different today than it was when the older generations were young. Gen X grew up in especially difficult times. Facing financial crises and terrifying social events with largely absent parents caused them to deal with trauma on their own at a young age.
Some believe that overall, Gen X’s nostalgia is based on trauma bonding. But every parent wants better for their children than they had, and for millennials and Gen Z, it’s not exactly better. We’re all living through tumultuous times of social unrest and an impossible economy. The state of the world might make this generation emotional, not in a good way, because they fear for their children’s futures.
7. Family traditions
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Family traditions meant everything to boomers and Gen X. Often, these were their only chances to bond with family. Whether it was a holiday celebration or a weekly family dinner, they held on to these things closely.
Now, many of these traditions are starting to fade. Some people are letting go of traditions that were once staples. This can be for many reasons: an essential family member passed away, or everyone is too busy to make time for one another. Whatever the cause, looking back on this time spent together might make older generations emotional as they watch it fade.
8. Items that belonged to their loved ones
I remember my parents having sentimental items from their loved ones. When my grandma passed away, I remember my dad bringing me things like her old pajamas and DVDs. To him, they were a connection to her that he wanted me to have. I still have them because the emotions behind them gave them value.
Younger generations might be ditching sentimental items altogether. They seem to be more likely to get rid of things. Whether it's because they don’t have storage in their small apartments or they prefer a more minimalist lifestyle, holding on to other people’s things is becoming less common.
9. Shopping in person
This one might sound silly, but there is a reason behind it. Mall culture was everything to the older generations. It was the perfect place to hang out with friends and feel a little independence in a mostly safe environment. With the popularity of online shopping, malls are slowly dying out, and Gen X is mourning its loss.
While online shopping has some positives, not everyone is on board. There isn’t the same thrill waiting for something to come in the mail as there was with the instant gratification of having your item the second you bought it.
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.
