The generational divide between Boomers and younger folks is no secret affair, especially when it comes to social and political issues. While ‘wokeness’ is embraced by many Millennials and Gen Z, Boomers have been known to have their reservations. Are these modern attitudes too extreme for them? Are they stuck in their ways? Let’s look at 18 reasons why Boomers might be hesitant to embrace wokeness.
Different Upbringing
Boomers grew up in a vastly different cultural landscape to younger generations. With social norms and values such as minding manners and the absence of cell phones, there’s no comparison with modern ways of living. These experiences have shaped their worldview, making it harder to adapt to new norms.
Skepticism of Change
Everyone is guilty of rejecting change at some point in their lives and having seen countless trends come and go, Boomers are understandably wary of rapid social changes. Keen to avoid embracing what could be a mere trend, they prefer to take a cautious approach.
Value of Hard Work
Boomers love to emphasize the importance of hard work and individual responsibility, particularly as they were raised believing that a good, solid job was crucial for stability. As many modern generations opt for flexible working lives that don’t undermine their well-being, Boomers sometimes view wokeness as crushing these important values.
Fear of Cancel Culture
The idea of ‘cancel culture’ can be intimidating for anyone. It only takes one comment or poorly considered move to be eliminated these days. Boomers might fear that one wrong statement could lead to public backlash, making them hesitant to engage in woke conversations.
Political Polarization
The politicization of wokeness is tough to navigate. Boomers may associate it with a particular political agenda they don’t align with, leading to resistance. Equally, there’s a fear that by not embracing modern ideologies, they might be regarded as ignorant. It can be a dilemma to know what to do for the best.
Attachment to Free Speech
Having fought for free speech in the 60s and 70s, Boomers understand the importance of feeling liberated. It’s not uncommon for them to see wokeness as a threat to this fundamental right, perceiving it as overly censorious. Freedom of speech involves rejecting popular opinions, but this can be worrisome in modern arenas.
Nostalgia
Like many older generations, Boomers often look back fondly on their youth. It can be hard to accept overly critical narratives surrounding their past, especially when they feel that they’re dismissive of their cherished memories and accomplishments.
Different Definitions of Respect
Respect and politeness were taught differently in their time, with respect for elders and perfect manners firmly embedded in society. It’s easy to understand why they might consider woke language and behavior to be disrespectful or too confrontational. Many of their indoctrinated views have been brandished as archaic.
Difficulties With New Terminology
The rapidly evolving vocabulary of wokeness, such as pronouns and gender identities can be confusing and overwhelming for the Boomer generation. Having grown up in an era where two predominant genders existed, newfound norms are confusing to them. This can lead to a reluctance to adopt it.
Generational Pride
We love that Boomers take pride in their contributions to society. They were part of the 60s era of social change where activism and freedom were widely celebrated. They can often feel that wokeness unfairly overlooks their achievements in favor of highlighting flaws. Boomers have frequently been accused of ruining society by bankrupting America.
Economic Realities
Having lived through significant economic shifts, Boomers choose to prioritize economic stability over social justice issues. To them, supporting their economy is more important than the ongoing battle for equality.
Focus on Meritocracy
Boomers believe that hard work and talent should determine success. They struggle to get on board with the idea that gender, diversity, or social standing should factor into employability over ability. Gen Zs tend to favor diversity in the workplace over experience and ability which doesn’t fit a meritocracy approach.
Different Media Consumption
Call them old-fashioned, but Boomers still prefer to acquire the latest news from traditional media sources. They’re not a fan of modern digital platforms favored by younger generations. They deem them unreliable and one-sided which only serves as an echo chamber to Millennials.
Fear of Alienation
Boomers face a sense of unease in embracing wokeness. The concern is largely that it might create a rift between them and their peers or family members who share similar traditional views, leading to social alienation. This is a significant enough reason for them to choose to avoid modern perspectives.
Misunderstanding of Concepts
Complex concepts like privilege and intersectionality can be hard to grasp for those who are stuck in their ways. Without a full understanding, Boomers may dismiss them as irrelevant or misguided, and, in some cases, too grandiose to embrace.
Desire for Personal Responsibility
Boomers were raised to strive for personal accountability. For some members of this generation, wokeness can be perceived as promoting a victim mentality, which clashes with their belief in overcoming adversity through personal effort. They have a more direct approach to life and it’s many challenges.
Skepticism of New Movements
They’ve seen many social movements over the decades, from the Civil Rights Movement to the March on the Pentagon. Boomers might be skeptical about the longevity and effectiveness of woke-inspired movements such as Black Lives Matter, preferring tried methods of social change.
Cultural Identity
Boomers’ identities are tied to the cultural norms of their youth. Embracing wokeness could feel like a rejection of their own identity and experiences, making it emotionally challenging. While not all Boomers reject gender fluidity, there is still a large percentage that do.
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