When the Last Boomers Die, They’re Taking These Things With Them

Who Are Baby Boomers?  

Baby boomers are the generation born between 1946 and 1964.

This generation is called baby boomers because the population “boomed” right after their fathers returned from the war.

While baby boomers were young, they helped change pop culture and societal norms. Television became popular, and so did Rock and Roll.

Additionally, the majority of those who made up the Hippie Movement were baby boomers.

The Hippie Movement bucked against traditionalism, which was so popular during the 1950s and before.

The purpose of this movement was to advocate for nonviolence, love, and tolerance.

Today, there are around 76.4 million baby boomers living in the United States. They range from ages 60 to 78 years old.  

Why Do Boomers Get Such a Bad Rap?  

Although they were the generation of hippies and the peace movement from the 1960s, baby boomers still often get a bad rap. For starters, many of the younger generations want to hold baby boomers responsible for the problems of the world. Furthermore, many believe them to be close-minded, too conservative, and stubborn.

Yet, how can a generation that pushed so hard for social change, lived through the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War gain a terrible reputation? (Probably in the same way that millennials also have a terrible reputation.) Life is complicated.  
 
However, despite their reputation, baby boomers aren’t all stubborn. They believe in hard work and looking on the bright side. Additionally, though they are often thought to be super conservative, many of them aren’t as resistant to change as people think. In fact, this is the generation that helped bring about tremendous social change, including the Free Love Movement and an Anti-War Movement.  

Generations By Years  

If you’re curious about where you fall on the line of generations by years, take a look at the breakdown.  

• Greatest Generation: Born between the years of 1901 and 1927.  
• Silent Generation: Born between the years of 1925 and 1945.  
• Baby Boomers: Born between the years of 1946 and 1964.  
• Generation X: Born between 1965 and 1980. 
• Millennials: Born between the years of 1981 and 1998.  
• Generation Z: Born between the years of 1999 and 2016.  
• Generation Alpha: Born between the years 2013 and 2025.  

When the Last Boomers Die; They Are Taking These Things with Them 

With the fast changes that come year after year, it’s no surprise that just when something becomes second nature, a new way of doing things quickly comes around. Additionally, with the advancement of technology over the last several generations, many tasks that baby boomers do are considered unnecessary now.  
 
With new, faster, and more convenient ways of performing these tasks, the younger generations are more than willing to lean towards convenience over tradition. That means, when the last boomers die; they are taking these things with them. Read on for the top things’ boomers are notorious for doing, that younger generations don’t.

Using Paper Checks 

One of the things that boomers are notorious for doing are using paper checks. At one point, using paper checks was a popular pastime. Along with cash, paying for bills, groceries, and everything in between was done by check. Then when online banking, debit cards, and other ways to pay digitally showed up, the need for using paper checks dwindled.  

Additionally, using paper checks may slow things down a bit, especially with the time it takes to cash them. Using paper checks are almost not worth it for most of society. While there are still people who use paper checks, the further we get into this millennium, the lesser the need for the use of checks become.

Taking a Physical Road Map on Trips 

A few generations ago having a paper physical map could mean the difference between getting lost or finding your way.

Now, with GPS on our phones and even in newer models of cars, there’s just no reason for a physical map. Many people may keep them in their cars simply for nostalgia, or because the thought of using GPS scares them. When it comes to the younger generations though, they prefer a digital means of finding their way.

Reusing Containers from the Store 

Anyone who grew up with a grandparent from the older generations probably recall reaching into their fridge to rummage for leftovers. It was hard telling exactly what you would get. Was there really butter in that container or was its last night’s leftover green beans and potatoes?  
 
Boomers’ parents grew up during or right before the Great Depression, where saving every penny was necessary. Therefore, it made logical sense for them to learn to save every container from the grocery store. Don’t throw out the butter container, or sour cream, it can be reused. While this is actually a very smart and frugal idea, many younger generations don’t put this type of frugality into practice.  

Calling Instead of Texting  

One of the things that boomers are notorious for doing actually may annoy the younger generations. Texting is one of the most convenient ways to check up with friends and families. Just send a quick hello or ask a question. There’s no need to be on the phone for 20 minutes. Yet, many baby boomers still prefer to call instead of texting. However, they may be some of the last still clinging to the old way of communicating.  

Filing Physical Documents  

Filing important documents is necessary, yet the way of doing so has changed. Where many baby boomers and the older generations prefer to print and file physical documents, the younger generations deem it a waste of time (and paper.)  

Instead, filing documents digitally has many advantages. It doesn’t involve killings thousands of trees. Digital files also take up less space and can be backed up in multiple places.

Finding Job Listing in the Newspaper 

Looking in the newspaper for a job used to be the way to figure out who was hiring. That and walking into each business, asking to talk to the manager, in order to find a job. However, today neither one of those ways are the best routes to land employment.  
 
Instead, people turn to job listings from job boards like Indeed, Monster, or even LinkedIn. While companies still post job listings in the newspaper, it’s more convenient for both the company and the job searcher to turn online when on the search.  

Using Physical Media  

Another perk of the technology advances of today is the streaming of music. It used to be that in order to listen to your favorite songs you would have to go to the store and buy a physical vinyl record, cassette tape, or CD. While some people hold on to their old physical media for nostalgia, there’s really no need for them anymore. This is also true for DVD’s and VHS tapes.  

Consulting a Physical TV Guide  

Did your grandparents have a designated spot for the television guide? It was the most convenient way at the time to figure out what time their shows would be and where. However, today, there’s really no reason to consult a physical TV guide.  
 
A simple google search will bring up the times and channels of our favorite television shows. Additionally, with the ease of streaming at any time, we aren’t constrained to watching our favorite shows at one specific time anymore.  Yet, flipping through a TV guide is still one of those things’ boomers are notorious for doing. (Yes, you can still buy physical TV guides.)

Watching Cable Television 

Speaking of television, cable TV came around in 1948. However, the expansion of cable television didn’t happen until the 1970s and 1980s. It now offered society a broader opportunity. There were a variety of channels, which meant more options. The channels were more accessible, meaning sports and news, and more were available to watch from the comfort of their homes.  
 
Since the 1970s, technology advances mean we have so many more choices at our disposal for finding our favorite shows, live sports, and a broader option of news channels. We no longer need cable television when we can pick and choose from our favorite streaming services. And who would really want to buy cable anymore when streaming services prove time and time again that they can be the cheaper option?  

Using a Landline 

Standing in the same spot while talking or using a phone seems like a tale right out of a fantasy novel. Yet, not too long ago, this was how many people communicated. When the wireless landline came out, the ability to move about your house was finally here. However, what made using the phone even more accessible was the invention of cell phones. 
 
At one point in history, families everywhere used both a landline and a cell phone. Now, the landline feels like ancient history. Many people opt to just pay for one type of phone, the cell phone, and ditch the landline. However, some baby boomers and older generations are still holding on to that old number that they’ve had for decades.  

One Last Note 

These notorious tasks that baby boomers love to do are becoming less and less necessary. While many people may hold onto their old CDs or read physical TV guides because it’s how things have always been, it’s becoming less and less frequent. Of course, (like every generation before us,) time moves on, so will parts of our lives that have become second nature to us. Just like these things boomers are notorious for doing will fade away.