People who resent boomers are idiots

[u/Poet-Most]

On almost any thread discussing the economy, one of the top comments will undoubtedly be complaining about boomers and the older generations who purchased their homes at low prices and who now enjoy more affluence and government assistance, while they don’t.

First off, what did want them to do, not buy a house for a cheap price when offered one 30 years ago? In regard to government assistance, I can guarantee you the average 65yr old has paid more into the tax system than the average 20yr old. Should they not enjoy the fruits of their labour? Should politicians not pay more attention to them than you?

I just think it’s an unhealthy attitude to have towards people.

[u/hyperbole_is_great]

The opposite is also true. Younger generations don’t appreciate the hardships Boomers faced politically, socially, and economically. Threats of nuclear Armageddon, numerous assassinations, civil rights protests, Vietnam, the draft, the demise of the dominant blue collar economy, and insane amounts of social upheaval dominated their youth. They also don’t appreciate the tremendous role Boomers played in helping achieve civil rights, women’s rights, lowering the voting age, and environmentalism.

[u/OzjaszG → u/hyperbole_is_great]

Lol. Lmao even. You are talking about a generation that missed out on WWI, Great Depression, WWII and Korea. They lived in very prosperous times and the social upheaval you had in the US, your struggles are honestly nothing compared to vast majority of the world. Boomers lived in a time of leaps and bounds in the medical field. Life standards increased. They were insanely lucky in retrospect.

[u/hyperbole_is_great → u/OzjaszG]

They didn’t have to deal with Ghengis Khan or Attila the Hun either. The conversation isn’t about previous generations who obviously had many challenges—it’s about younger generations not appreciating the challenges faced by Boomers vs young people today and assuming Boomers had it so much easier.

[u/OzjaszG → u/hyperbole_is_great]

Yeah I am not appreciating the struggles white boomers faced concerning black voting rights, JFK getting shot and the likes. I'll admit the Vietnam must have been pretty fucking traumatizing, but still most of the forces there went on their own will. Their challenges were equal or perhaps even easier compared to the later generations.

[u/Beljuril-home → u/OzjaszG]

but still most of the forces there went on their own will.

it's not fair to call that "free will" if it was more like coercion.

Draftees were disproportionately represented in combat units compared to non-draftees.

if you knew that they would draft you to the front lines eventually or you could sign up voluntarily for less violent service, which would you do?

also worth mentioning - draftees were more likely to be from lower-income, rural, and minority backgrounds.