7 old wives’ tales boomers still believe (that are totally wrong)

Some beliefs are like hand-me-down sweaters—worn thin, outdated, but still oddly comforting.

You’ll hear them at family dinners, neighborhood barbecues, and anytime someone from an older generation starts a sentence with, “Well, back in my day…”

But comfort doesn’t equal truth.

And some of these old wives’ tales boomers still believe? They’re not just outdated—they’re flat-out wrong.

Let’s unpack a few.

1. Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis

Ah yes, the classic hand-slap warning: “Stop that or you’ll ruin your joints!” I heard this one at least a dozen times growing up. Usually from someone holding a glass of wine in one hand and a Virginia Slim in the other.

Here’s the truth: cracking your knuckles might be annoying to others, but it’s not ruining your future mobility. According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, habitual knuckle cracking showed no correlation with hand arthritis.

That “pop” sound? It’s just gas bubbles collapsing in the synovial fluid around the joint. Gross? Maybe. Dangerous? Nope.

So unless you’re doing it to show off, crack away.

2. If you go outside with wet hair, you’ll catch a cold

Let me guess—you were once wrapped in a towel after a shower, trying to dash out the door, and someone’s mom yelled, “You’re gonna catch your death like that!”

Yeah, me too.

But here’s the thing: colds are caused by viruses, not wet hair. You could soak your head in ice water and sprint barefoot through a snowstorm—if you’re not exposed to a virus, you’re not getting sick.

As noted by Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, “You have to be exposed to an infectious agent to get infected.” The temperature of your hair? Totally irrelevant.

This one’s a relic from before germ theory hit the mainstream. Boomers grew up with it, so they pass it on like gospel. But it’s time we leave it behind.

3. Hard work always pays off

This one’s complicated.

Of course, hard work matters. But the idea that it always pays off is a deeply boomer-coded myth—one that ignores structural inequality, nepotism, and just plain dumb luck.

I’ve met people who grind day and night—nurses, artists, single parents—whose “payoff” doesn’t reflect their effort.

Hard work is important. But the belief that it guarantees success? That’s naive at best, dismissive at worst.

As writer and educator Ijeoma Oluo put it, “Hard work is necessary. But it's not always sufficient. Systems matter. Access matters.”

If you’re not seeing the results you want, it doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It might mean the system isn’t designed with you in mind.

4. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

This one gets repeated like scripture. I remember a health class poster in middle school that straight-up said, “Skip breakfast, skip success.”

Turns out, that line was cooked up—literally.

As noted by food historian Abigail Carroll, the modern “breakfast myth” was heavily pushed by cereal companies in the 20th century, especially Kellogg’s. Before that, people didn’t even eat breakfast regularly.

Research now shows that the importance of breakfast varies by person. Some people function better eating right away. Others do just fine with intermittent fasting or later meals.

In other words, you don’t need to choke down soggy cornflakes at 7 a.m. just because Grandpa said so.

Listen to your body. It knows what it’s doing better than a 1950s ad campaign.

5. Sugar makes kids hyper

Every family function has that one adult frantically saying, “Don’t give him cake, he’ll bounce off the walls!”

But the link between sugar and hyperactivity? It’s more psychological than physiological.

Multiple double-blind studies—including one published in The New England Journal of Medicine—have shown that sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children. What actually happens is parents expect their kids to be wild after sugar, so they notice every burst of energy.

It’s classic confirmation bias.

Kids get hyper because they’re kids—excited by birthday parties, friends, balloons, the whole vibe. Not because of a cupcake.

Next time someone tries to police dessert, you’ve got science on your side.

6. You need to own a home to be successful

This one hits a nerve.

Boomers were raised during a time when buying a house wasn’t just attainable—it was expected. It symbolized stability, maturity, and personal worth.

But the economy now is a different beast.

Wages haven’t kept up with inflation. Housing prices have skyrocketed. Renting isn’t a failure—it’s often the only viable option for people in urban areas or with unpredictable income streams (freelancers, creatives, digital nomads, etc.).

Personally, I’ve rented in five cities, three countries, and never felt like I was “behind.” It gave me freedom. Flexibility. Options.

Success isn’t a mortgage. It’s living a life that aligns with your values—not your parents’ checklist.

7. Talking about mental health is a sign of weakness

This one needs to die already.

Boomers grew up in a culture of silence. Mental health struggles were swept under the rug, joked about, or ignored. The result? Generations of people silently suffering, afraid of being judged.

We know better now.

According to the American Psychological Association, talking openly about mental health leads to better outcomes, lower suicide rates, and improved community support.

I’ve mentioned this before, but some of the most emotionally resilient people I know are the ones who do talk about their struggles. Who ask for help. Who normalize therapy, medication, and setting boundaries.

As trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté said, “Not the trauma itself, but the suppression of it, causes the greatest damage.”

If you’re being vulnerable, you’re not being weak—you’re being brave.

The bottom line

Old sayings aren’t always wise sayings.

Sure, boomers passed down some useful life lessons. But they also handed us a few clunkers—myths dressed up as truths.

It’s on us to question them. To fact-check what we were taught. To unlearn what no longer serves us.

That’s not disrespect. That’s growth.

And in a world changing as fast as ours, critical thinking isn’t optional. It’s survival.

What’s one belief you were raised with that you’ve had to unlearn? Let me know in the comments. Let’s bust some myths together.