Although Millennials are similar to Baby Boomers in many ways, it’s not hard to tell how they differ. The Millennials had a pampered childhood while the Baby Boomers learnt from their mistakes. The Millennials are a generation that has grown up with rapid technological advancements, which have radically changed their lives. Boomers were able to transition more easily from adolescence towards adulthood and did so at a younger age than Millennials.
“Either no one loses or wins, or everyone wins”. Baby Boomers were taught to distinguish between winning or losing. Millennials are influenced by this and believe that they deserve everything. Because they were raised by their parents, Millennials are less likely to have the same work ethic or educational perspective as their predecessors. The notion that a person’s contribution is equal to their peers regardless of how hard they work has decreased the desire to achieve. The Baby Boomers learned that hard work, perseverance, and dedication will bring success. They were able to fall down and learn to get back up, unlike the Millennials. The Boomers have a strong desire to improve themselves by doing what could be called drudgery.
The Millennials’ lifestyle has been radically altered by technology compared to that of Baby Boomers. Throughout a Millennial’s lifetime, technology has made colossal advancements. Most Millennials have access to vast amounts of information and communication methods. Boomers, however, found it more difficult to communicate and gain knowledge. In the Boomer era, individuals would conduct research using books rather than the internet. During the Baby Boomer generation, most communication was verbal. Millennials use instant messaging. The lives of young adults revolve around technology. Kids can sit all day at a console, or on a PC. The public can view such behavior negatively. Children of previous generations, such as the Boomers spent time outdoors or used their imaginations to relieve boredom.
In previous generations, it was considered bad form to stay at home past the age of mid- to late-20s, as this implied that a person was incapable of supporting themselves. The Millennials do not subscribe to this concept, implying a longer adolescence period before adulthood. This is a very different view for Millennials. For them, this is a more cost-effective and efficient way of life. The Baby-Boomer generation began to become adults around age 20. They supported themselves and lived independently. The Boomers were independent at a younger age and needed a steady, constant income to maintain their lifestyle. Unlike Millennials with their safety net of jobs, the Boomers tended not to change jobs for a long time. Millennials have a tendency to continue moving forward, even if the opportunity is not perfect, as opposed to Boomers who are used to “daily grinding” work.
Despite the similarities between Baby Boomer generation and Millennials, there are also some major differences. Millennials are spoiled by parents who shield them from negative feedback. In contrast, Baby Boomers tend to learn through hardwork and discipline. The internet and other forms of communication, as well as technological capabilities from each generation, have a great impact on the lives of both generations. Millennials, who receive financial and emotional support from their parents, seem to prolong adolescence. They delay marriage and career to take care of other aspects of life. Boomers took control of their lives earlier than Millennials. However, both generations used their skills to advance similar causes such as the equality of people and improving the quality life.
