The media often gives the Boomer generation a bad name. Adopting crude stereotypes enables reporters and commentators to slap on a series of negative labels. This leads to misunderstandings and provide an incomplete picture of what Boomers are really like.
All these projections assume that Boomers are a homogeneous collective. Boomers are not a hive-mind or a Borg-Like collective. Let’s review eight common ways in which the media covers Baby Boomers unfairly, and why these depictions fall short.
Pictured as Financially Comfortable
What media pundits too often say is that Boomers are doing great; living in nice suburban homes, with decent bank accounts and retirement funds. This isn’t the whole picture.
Many Boomers continue to have financial problems, whether they struggle with debts or worry about how they’ll make it to retirement. Not every Boomer has made a killing or landed on their feet.
Stereotyped as Tech-Challenged
Boomers have a reputation for tech-phobia, and in many cases, this stereotype is overblown. In fact, most Boomers are fairly adept with technology.
They use smartphones, they conduct online banking, and they even post to social media. Of course, there are some who cringe at the latest gadgets, but this goes beyond age.
Painted as Out of Touch
Popular media would have you believe that Boomers are shrinking violets with our heads in the sand, oblivious to what’s going on in the world today.
But many of us are movers and shakers, not just bystanders. We are protesting and donating and keeping up with the news; stuff we invented back in our youth.
Labeled as Selfish
Media is also prone to condemn Boomers as selfish; to imagine them only in terms of their own self-interest. Retirees on the golf course, selfish. CEO of a company, selfish. Mall walkers, selfish.
These outlets remind us that Boomers are heading toward old age and mortality, that we’ll become a drain on society, even a threat to the prospects of later generations.
But the selfish Boomer stereotype bears little resemblance to a generation that never stops giving to its family or community. Many volunteer, care for their grandkids or donate to charity. Millions more help support or raise their grandchildren.
Seen as Resistant to Change
Another broad belief is that Boomers are inherently closed-minded and unwilling to change. Again, this doesn’t accord with the facts.
Sure there are many Luddite types among us, and unlikely to be found adopting new technology. However, there’s ample evidence that many Boomers have become equipped throughout their lives for change.
Think about just some of the shifts with which they’ve contended. Younger generations would crumble under that kind of pressure.
Depicted as Unhealthy
On screen, the Boomer is slob like, slow, infirm, tweaking or totally inert. But these depictions sorely miss the mark. Yes, some of us are fighting ill health. Yes, there are shufflers out there.
But others are jogging, lifting weights or sweating in yoga classes. Most of us eat well.
Our need for love and friendship is hardly diminishing. The myth of Boomer sickliness demeans a generation that is taking the new diseases of aging extraordinarily seriously.
Assumed to be Politically Conservative
Many people believe that all Boomers are politically conservative. It’s true that as a group we do skew somewhat to the right. But the range of political opinions in this generation is quite large.
Many Boomers are progressive; they are politically liberal, concerned with social justice, the environment, and other progressive movements. When they stereotype all Boomers into one category, the media misses much of what’s really going on.
Thought to be Unconcerned About the Environment
The stereotype that Boomers were unworried about the environment is unjustified: many of us cared a great deal, and continue to care, about the planet.
I’ve seen many Boomers recycling, making their homes more energy-efficient, backing green schemes and swapping SUVs for public transport. I know many Boomers dedicated to protecting the environment, as well as to addressing climate change by supporting policies reflecting those commitments.
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