Sometimes it feels like no matter how much society changes, some beliefs just won’t die—especially when it comes to older generations. Boomers grew up with a certain set of values drilled into them, and letting go of those can feel impossible, even when they’re wildly outdated. While some of these ideas might have made sense decades ago, they just don’t hold up in today’s world. Here are 14 old-fashioned beliefs that Boomers still cling to.
1. Buying A House Is The Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Do
To Boomers, owning a house isn’t just a goal—it’s the pinnacle of adulthood. They see it as the ultimate sign of success and stability, even if it means drowning in debt or taking on a fixer-upper that drains your soul (and your bank account). To them, renting just means throwing money away, even if buying isn’t financially realistic. According to AARP, more boomers and retirees are choosing to rent their homes instead of buying, valuing the flexibility and reduced responsibilities that come with renting.
They don’t always get that the modern housing market doesn’t look anything like it did in the 70s. Buying a house now is less about saving up some cash and more about navigating bidding wars, inflated prices, and, oh yeah, actually having savings left after the down payment. But try telling them that, and you’ll get a speech about “building equity” and “making sacrifices.”
2. Staying In A Job For Years Proves You’re Loyal
Back in the day, holding down the same job for decades was seen as a badge of honor. If you weren’t working your way up the corporate ladder at the same company for 30 years, were you even trying? Loyalty to an employer was considered one of the most important career traits, even if the job itself was mind-numbing. A study by PBS indicates that older generations, including Baby Boomers, often associate long-term employment with job security and success.
Today, sticking with the same job for years isn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes, it means being stuck in a rut or not challenging yourself. The modern job market is about flexibility, growth, and finding the right fit. But to Boomers, job-hopping looks like a lack of commitment, even if switching jobs is the only way to get a decent pay bump these days.
3. Getting A Divorce Means You Failed
To Boomers, marriage is supposed to be forever, even if it’s miserable. If you decide to leave a toxic or unfulfilling relationship, it’s seen as a failure rather than a choice for personal well-being. They’ll throw around words like “commitment” and “sticking it out” while ignoring the fact that staying in a loveless marriage isn’t exactly a win. However, as reported by AARP, there’s a growing trend of ‘gray divorce,’ with more older adults choosing to end long-term marriages in pursuit of personal happiness.
Divorce rates might be high, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t trying. Sometimes walking away is healthier than forcing something that’s long past its expiration date. But to older generations, ending a marriage means you just didn’t work hard enough, ignoring that love and happiness are just as important as sticking it out.
4. Not Wanting Kids Means You’re Selfish
To a lot of Boomers, deciding not to have kids is almost incomprehensible. It’s like they hear “I’m childfree” and immediately translate it to “I hate families and I’m too selfish to care about anyone but myself.” They grew up in a time when having kids was just what you did—it wasn’t really a choice, it was the default. According to Pew Research Center, many adults today choose not to have children for various reasons, including financial concerns and personal preference.
The reality is that choosing not to have children is a valid personal decision, and it doesn’t automatically mean someone’s self-centered. Sometimes it’s about financial stability, personal goals, or just not wanting that lifestyle. But try explaining that to someone who’s spent their life hearing that having a family is the only way to be truly fulfilled.
5. Never Getting Married Makes You A Spinster
If you’re not married by a certain age, Boomers might start whispering about how you’re “too picky” or “afraid of commitment.” To them, staying single isn’t just a choice—it’s a personal failure. They grew up thinking that being married was the ultimate goal, especially for women. As discussed in Forbes, there’s a resurgence in embracing singlehood, with many finding fulfillment outside of traditional marriage.
It’s like they can’t wrap their heads around the idea that some people are genuinely happy on their own or just haven’t found the right person yet. They see it as being left on the shelf rather than choosing independence. But in today’s world, marriage isn’t the be-all and end-all, and single life can be just as fulfilling.
6. Going To College Guarantees Success
Back when tuition didn’t cost a small fortune, getting a degree was a straight shot to a stable career. Boomers still believe that if you just go to college and work hard, success will naturally follow. They don’t get that the modern job market is flooded with degrees, and a diploma doesn’t automatically mean a good-paying job.
While education is valuable, it’s no longer a guaranteed ticket to financial security. Student loan debt is at an all-time high, and many graduates end up in jobs that don’t require a degree in the first place. But for Boomers, not going to college is still seen as not living up to your potential, even if your career path doesn’t require it.
7. Having Tattoos Means You’ll Never Get Hired
To Boomers, visible tattoos equal unprofessionalism. They imagine tattooed people as rebels or troublemakers who can’t hold down a serious job. It’s like they’re stuck in a time when the only people with ink were bikers or rock stars.
These days, tattoos are pretty mainstream. From office workers to doctors, plenty of professionals have visible ink. But Boomers still cringe at the idea of someone showing up to an interview with a sleeve tattoo, convinced it’ll ruin their chances. They just don’t get that it’s not 1985 anymore, and tattoos aren’t career-killers.
8. Mental Health Isn’t Real
Many Boomers grew up in a world where mental health wasn’t openly discussed, so to them, anxiety and depression can seem like made-up problems. They might see therapy as a sign of weakness or believe that mental health struggles are just “excuses” for not working harder. Phrases like “toughen up” or “get over it” are thrown around as if they’re legitimate solutions.
The reality is that mental health is as real and important as physical health, and dismissing it only makes things worse. Younger generations have worked hard to break the stigma and normalize seeking help, but Boomers often still view it through a lens of shame or denial. Trying to explain the importance of therapy to someone who thinks “just smile more” is a cure can feel like talking to a brick wall.
9. Cash Is King
For Boomers, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as holding actual money. Digital payments? Venmo? They might tolerate it, but they’ll still tell you to carry cash “just in case.” They grew up when cash was a symbol of security, and old habits die hard.
Sure, cash has its uses, but younger generations are more comfortable with cards, apps, and even crypto. To Boomers, the idea of paying for something without tangible money feels risky or irresponsible. They just don’t trust that tapping a phone is as reliable as handing over a twenty. Even in a world that’s moving closer to being cashless, they’re not ready to let go of that wallet full of bills.
10. Living With Your Parents After 18 Means You’re A Failure
Boomers grew up in an era where moving out as soon as you hit 18 was the norm. Staying with your parents beyond that age was seen as a sign of laziness or immaturity. They just don’t get that the cost of living has skyrocketed, making independence a lot harder to achieve right out of high school.
Now, young adults often stay with family to save money, pay off loans, or get through school. But Boomers still see it as a failure to launch. They don’t realize that moving out just to struggle financially isn’t exactly a wise choice. Independence doesn’t always mean having your own place—it can also mean making smart decisions about your future.
11. Talking About Your Emotions Makes You Weak
For a lot of Boomers, keeping your feelings to yourself is a point of pride. They grew up in households where talking about emotions was a one-way ticket to being labeled dramatic or overly sensitive. Expressing vulnerability wasn’t encouraged, and they carried that mindset into adulthood.
Nowadays, younger generations understand that talking about how you feel is crucial for mental health. But Boomers still see it as airing dirty laundry. They might brush off conversations about stress or sadness as unnecessary or “whiny.” To them, bottling it up is just how you deal with life, even if it means never really dealing with it at all.
12. Renting Instead Of Owning Means You’re Unsuccessful
If you’re not making mortgage payments, Boomers might assume you’re just not trying hard enough. Renting, to them, feels like a waste of money because you’re not “building equity.” They’ll tell you stories about how they bought their first house at 23, conveniently forgetting that prices have since skyrocketed.
What they don’t get is that renting can actually be a smarter financial choice for some people, especially if moving frequently or saving for a down payment. Not everyone wants the commitment or maintenance that comes with owning property. Boomers might see it as irresponsible, but sometimes renting is about practicality and flexibility.
13. Cutting Off Family Members Means You’re Disloyal
Family loyalty is huge for Boomers, no matter how toxic the dynamics are. They believe that family bonds should be maintained at all costs, even if it means putting up with manipulation or emotional abuse. To them, cutting someone off—especially a parent or sibling—feels like a betrayal.
Younger generations are more likely to prioritize mental health and set boundaries, even if it means distancing themselves from toxic relatives. Boomers see it as giving up on family, but sometimes it’s about self-preservation. They just can’t wrap their heads around the idea that not all families are safe or supportive.
14. Not Going To Church Means You’ve Lost Your Way
For many Boomers, church attendance is synonymous with being a good person. They might assume you’re lost or morally adrift if you’re not showing up every Sunday. To them, faith and community are tied to physical presence in a place of worship.
Younger generations might still be spiritual or religious, but they’re more likely to practice in personal, less structured ways. Just because someone isn’t in a pew doesn’t mean they’ve lost their sense of purpose or moral compass. But Boomers often equate church-going with being grounded, so if you’re not there, they worry you’re headed down a bad path.
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