Younger people often use the term “woke” to describe being socially aware and advocating for issues like income equality and racial justice. But why do older generations, particularly Baby Boomers, seem less enthusiastic about these causes? Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, grew up during economic growth and technological advancement after World War II. Unlike the Silent Generation, Boomers experienced significant societal changes and progress, influencing their perspectives on today’s social issues. We look at 18 reasons why Boomers won’t or don’t want to embrace wokeness.
Different Life Priorities
With the advent of retirement and health concerns, Boomers tend to prioritize addressing these pressing matters over actively participating in the social or political activism associated with wokeness. At this stage of life, their focus shifts to more personal issues like managing retirement plans and healthcare needs. This often takes up most of their attention, leaving little room for broader societal movements and causes.
Misunderstanding What ‘Woke’ Is
The term ‘woke’ itself, commonly found in modern and online discussions, may not resonate with many individuals from the Boomer generation. This disparity in understanding contemporary slang contributes to detachment or lack of interest in the movement. IPSOS findings indicate a divided opinion among Americans regarding whether “woke” is an insult or a compliment. While 40% perceive it as derogatory, 32% view it positively. The perception of “woke” varies across political affiliations and age groups, highlighting nuances in generational and ideological perspectives.
Boomers See the Younger Generations as Spoiled
As Boomers observe the younger generations, they perceive a disconnect between their expectations and the perceived achievements of younger individuals. This perception sometimes leads Boomers to label younger generations as entitled or lacking motivation. They might see younger people as more likely to blame external factors rather than take personal responsibility for their challenges. Boomers often think this change in attitude is due to modern technology, which they believe has made life easier for younger generations, leading to a sense of entitlement and societal issues.
Disconnection From Modern Social Media
Because they’re less active on social media, Boomers aren’t as exposed to the ongoing conversations and activism around woke culture that dominates these platforms. They prefer traditional communication and media, which don’t usually emphasize woke topics as much. Data from Khoros explains that individuals classified as Baby Boomers, aged between 59 and 77, constitute the demographic exhibiting the most minor social media engagement, totaling only 36.9 million users.
Boomers’ Problems Got Solved
Many Boomers feel that the fast-paced and radical social changes promoted by woke culture are too much to handle or aren’t practical. They prefer slower, more traditional methods of change, shaped by their life experiences and the world they grew up in. The significant and quick shifts pushed by woke ideology might seem too extreme or unrealistic to them, so they stick to what they know and trust: gradual progress and familiar ways of doing things.
Different Cultural Upbringing
Baby Boomers grew up in a time when traditional values were the norm. Their formative years were shaped by the aftermath of war and a period of economic growth, which influenced their beliefs and attitudes. Back then, society had clear-cut roles and norms, which shaped how Boomers see the world differently from today’s focus on social justice and equality.
Boomers Are In a Different Place
Baby Boomers find themselves in a distinct stage of life compared to the typical advocates of woke politics. Boomers focus more on maintaining their lifestyle, dealing with health issues, and tackling retirement hurdles. Given their age and stage in life, they’re less drawn to the social and political activism often associated with woke culture. According to the Pew Research Center, older Americans prioritize preserving social programs like Social Security and Medicare. Sixty-six percent of individuals 65 or older prioritize these programs over deficit reduction, contrasting with younger generations who exhibit a more balanced approach to the two issues.
Generational Conflict
From the perspective of younger generations, there’s a tendency to blame the Boomer generation for the nation’s present condition. A 2018 Axios/Survey Monkey poll revealed that many Millennials, born between 1980 and 1997, hold Boomers responsible for squandering the country’s prosperity. In the eyes of younger individuals, Boomers benefited from unparalleled economic success but neglected to preserve and transmit it to subsequent generations, contributing to the challenges younger cohorts face.
Reliance On Traditional News Sources
Boomers’ inclination towards traditional newspapers and television news instead of online media results in their limited exposure to the woke narratives dominating digital platforms. Because Boomers mainly rely on traditional media sources, their understanding of fast-changing social issues may lack depth. This can lead to differing viewpoints on these matters compared to those who engage more with modern media platforms.
Belief In Hard Work
Many Boomers hold a deep-seated belief in the notion that hard work and talent are the keys to achieving success. This viewpoint is vital to how they see the world, based on the idea that success comes from individual effort. The notion that outside factors play a significant role in opportunities can clash with their belief in hard work and personal merit.
Some People Become More Conservative as They Get Older
As individuals age, their political views may undergo shifts. Boomers might have been receptive to woke concepts in their youth. Yet, research from The University of Chicago supports the notion that those leaning left are prone to transitioning towards conservative ideologies as they grow older. While political beliefs typically remain stable throughout one’s lifetime, alterations tend to lean towards the right rather than the left.
Stability Over Change
After putting in a lot of work to build their careers and lives, Boomers want to protect what they’ve achieved. They might see the changes advocated by woke culture as threats to the stability they’ve worked hard for. This desire to keep things as they are could come from wanting to safeguard what they’ve invested in and maintain the familiar systems that make them feel secure and accomplished.
Political Correctness Discomfort
Boomers often value straightforward communication, so the careful language and political correctness of woke culture might feel restrictive to them. They might see these standards as limiting freedom of expression. Following these norms might go against their preference for open and direct conversations, making them uncomfortable or resistant to the cultural expectations of woke ideology.
Boomers Hold the Wealth
Another factor contributing to the reluctance of many Boomers to endorse woke criticisms of wealth inequality is their greater likelihood of being the ones retaining that wealth. A survey conducted in 2023 revealed that over 70% of the wealth owned by Americans is under the control of individuals aged 55 and above. This demographic trend suggests that Boomers, predominantly within this age group, may be interested in maintaining the status quo regarding wealth distribution, aligning with their resistance to woke critiques of economic disparity.
Wokeness Is A Youth Trend
Many Boomers see wokeness as part of modern youth culture, which they feel disconnected from. They see it as a passing trend without lasting importance to their lives. This perspective leads them to view wokeness with detachment or indifference, seeing it as something temporary rather than a lasting part of society.
Income Inequality Increased
According to the Economic Policy Institute’s analysis of wage data from 1979 to 2013, the bottom 90% of wage earners experienced a modest 15% increase in their wages during this period. In stark contrast, the top 1% of earners witnessed a substantial 138% increase in their annual pay. The growing gap between the rich and the less wealthy highlights a socioeconomic divide that Boomers might not have experienced firsthand in their younger days. This divide could lead to their resistance to woke criticisms of the system, as the economic structure may have worked well for them in the past.
Younger Generations Cannot Save Money
Numerous wealth-building strategies that Boomers once relied on, such as saving surplus income for investments, have become significantly more challenging to execute. The decreased purchasing power of worker wages in today’s economy leaves less disposable income available for wealth accumulation. Moreover, essential expenses like college education and home down payments have witnessed substantial spikes, rendering them increasingly unattainable on average salaries. These economic shifts present obstacles for individuals seeking to replicate the financial successes of previous generations.
Doubt Towards Fast Social Changes
Growing up in an era of economic prosperity, Boomers learned to believe that societal issues would naturally work themselves out. They tend to think people should solve their own problems through hard work. This clashes with the modern woke mindset, which seeks to hold societal structures accountable for injustices rather than individuals. This difference in approach reflects distinct views on responsibility and systemic change.
18 Things You Should Probably Stop Doing After Age 50
18 Things You Should Probably Stop Doing After Age 50
19 Products Marketed Almost Exclusively To Stupid People
19 Products Marketed Almost Exclusively To Stupid People
No Boomers Allowed: 15 States Where Retirees Are Not Welcome
No Boomers Allowed: 15 States Where Retirees Are Not Welcome
18 Disturbing Conspiracy Theories You Laughed Off But Were Actually True
18 Disturbing Conspiracy Theories You Laughed Off But Were Actually True
18 Everyday Phrases Unintentionally Reflecting White Privilege
18 Everyday Phrases Unintentionally Reflecting White Privilege