Why Baby Boomers Are The Real Snowflakes

New York Times writer Jessica Grosse recently checked in on the older members of the millennial generation as they approach middle age. While few are experiencing a typical midlife crisis, many are living with a sense of crisis that has lasted their entire lives. This may be due to the various challenges that millennials face, such as loneliness, anxiety, depression, declining religious and civic participation, and opting out of marriage and children.

Grosse attributes much of this malaise to economics, as many millennials struggle with wealth disparity and economic mobility. However, blaming capitalism or the country’s inequitable system doesn’t fully address the root cause of this dilemma. Instead, the Baby Boomers, who currently rule society, are responsible for creating a society where their children are struggling to reach adulthood milestones and, as a result, feel powerless and incomplete.

As Boomers, they resisted conformist culture by embracing hedonism and rejecting moral and religious authorities. They may have brought about the digital revolution and helped diminish former prejudices against marginalized groups, but they also ushered in broken homes, mass abortion, and the dissolution of local communities.

With the proliferation of network television and youth culture, the Boomers created a generation of idealists who never doubted their intrinsic goodness, even if they were the ones doing the exploitation, censorship, and systemic abuse. Most Boomers, especially on the left, saw themselves as the heroes of any conflict while casting all opposition as deplorable villains.

As parents, these Boomers neglected or pampered their children instead of preparing them for adulthood, instilling discipline, cultivating virtue, and modeling personal sacrifice. Millennials inherited broken homes, increasing mental health problems, and scarce role models. As a society, Boomers have done little to mentor and train millennials entering the workforce or public life.

It’s no wonder that middle-aged millennials feel powerless and struggle to move forward in a gerontocracy. Although some millennials may live in relative comfort, they were never taught to lead or take responsibility. However, it’s never too late to be the adults they were meant to be. While some may enjoy the fruits of a good life, others can at least recognize previous mistakes, fix those things in themselves, and do their part as parents, teachers, or leaders to improve things for younger generations.