From hair down to their shoulders to lectures about job loyalty, the same generation that invented protest culture and communal living has somehow forgotten their own wild twenties (and those photo albums don't lie).
Ever notice how certain criticisms from our parents' generation feel particularly rich, given what we know about their own younger years?
Last weekend, I was helping my parents organize old photo albums when I stumbled upon a treasure trove of evidence: Pictures of my dad with hair down to his shoulders, my mom in bell-bottoms that could double as tents, and both of them looking decidedly carefree at what appeared to be some very lively parties.
These same people who now shake their heads at my generation's choices were clearly living their own version of "wild and irresponsible" back in the day.
It got me thinking about all the things boomers love to criticize their adult children for, conveniently forgetting they did the exact same things at our age.
The selective memory is almost impressive, really.
After years of observing this phenomenon, both in my own family and through conversations with friends, I've compiled the greatest hits of boomer hypocrisy.
1) Living with roommates or parents "too long"
"Why don't you have your own place yet?" Sound familiar?
My parents love to remind me how they bought their first house at 25.
What they forget to mention is that house cost about the same as a moderately equipped Toyota Corolla does today.
They also lived with my grandparents for two years after getting married to save money, but somehow that doesn't count in their narrative.
The reality check? Many boomers lived in communal situations, crashed with friends, or stayed with parents well into their twenties and even thirties.
The difference was that nobody called it "failure to launch" back then.
It was just called being smart with money or "finding yourself."
2) Job hopping and career uncertainty
Nothing seems to perplex boomer parents more than watching their kids change jobs every few years.
"In my day, you stayed loyal to one company," they'll say, conveniently forgetting their own wandering career paths.
When I left finance to become a writer, you'd think I'd announced plans to join the circus.
My mother still introduces me as "my daughter who worked in finance" rather than "my daughter the writer," as if my previous career gives me more legitimacy.
But here's what she doesn't mention: She changed careers three times before settling into teaching at 32.
My dad? He quit his first engineering job after six months because he "didn't vibe with the company culture."
His words, not mine.
The truth is, boomers experimented plenty with their careers.
They just called it "finding their path" instead of "lacking commitment."
3) Taking on debt for education or experiences
The student loan conversation is a particular favorite in my house.
Yes, I had significant debt that took me until 35 to pay off.
Also, yes, it was stressful.
However, every time this comes up, I have to remind my parents that they also took out loans for their education.
The difference? Their loans were a fraction of what education costs today, and they could pay them off with summer jobs.
Many boomers also racked up credit card debt in their twenties and thirties, took out personal loans for vacations, and borrowed money from their parents.
Our parents just didn't have social media documenting every financial decision for future judgment.
4) Delaying marriage and kids
"When are you going to settle down?"
If I had a dollar for every time I heard this question, I might actually be able to afford that house they keep telling me to buy.
What's fascinating is looking at the actual statistics.
The divorce rate peaked when boomers were in their thirties and forties.
Many of them rushed into marriages that didn't work out, had kids before they were ready, and then spent years dealing with the fallout.
But, somehow, taking time to find the right person and being financially stable before having children is seen as "being too picky" or "waiting too long."
5) Spending money on "frivolous" things
Ah yes, the avocado toast argument.
Boomers love to point out our generation's spending on coffee, experiences, and yes, brunch.
Yet, let's talk about their spending habits at the same age.
Concert tickets, recreational substances that may or may not have been legal, elaborate stereo systems, muscle cars they couldn't afford, and let's not forget the small fortune spent on cigarettes when practically everyone smoked.
The only difference is their indulgences weren't tracked by credit card statements and posted on Instagram.
6) Being "too sensitive" or caring about causes
When I mention being vegan or spending weekends volunteering at farmers' markets, I often get eye rolls about my generation being "too woke" or "overly sensitive."
This is from the generation that literally invented protest culture in the 1960s and 70s.
Boomers marched for civil rights, protested wars, and started the environmental movement.
They were the original social justice warriors, fighting for causes their parents thought were radical or unnecessary.
Now, they act like caring about the planet or social equality is some kind of millennial invention.
7) Not knowing practical skills
"Your generation doesn't know how to change a tire or balance a checkbook!"
True, many of us might struggle with some traditional skills but here's what gets conveniently forgotten: Many boomers at our age didn't know these things either.
My dad loves to talk about self-sufficiency, forgetting that my grandfather had to teach him basic car maintenance when he was 30.
My mom? She called her mother for cooking advice well into her forties.
The difference is they had time to learn these skills before smartphones made many of them obsolete.
Honestly, when was the last time anyone actually balanced a checkbook?
8) Being glued to technology
This might be the richest criticism of all.
Yes, millennials and Gen Z are attached to their phones.
But have you seen a boomer trying to show you photos from their recent vacation? Or watched them scroll through Facebook for hours? Or noticed how they can't get through dinner without checking their iPads?
The truth is, boomers at our age were equally obsessed with their era's technology.
They were glued to their TVs, spent hours on the phone (the kind attached to the wall), and were mesmerized by their first personal computers.
Technology addiction is human.
Final thoughts
Look, I'm not trying to bash our parents' generation.
Both my parents worked hard, emphasized education above all else, and did their best with what they knew.
But the constant criticism paired with selective memory? That gets old.
The truth is, every generation faces its own challenges and makes its own mistakes.
Boomers weren't perfect at our age, just like we aren't perfect now; they experimented, failed, recovered, and eventually figured things out.
We're doing the same thing, just with different tools and in a very different economic landscape.
Maybe instead of criticism based on false comparisons, we could try something radical: understanding.
Acknowledging that times have changed, that each generation faces unique challenges, and that perhaps, just perhaps, those old photo albums tell a more complete story than selective memory does.
The next time you hear "In my day..." remember that their day probably looked a lot more like yours than they care to admit.
Maybe, just maybe, point them toward those old photos as a gentle reminder.
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