8 Things Most Boomers Experienced as Kids That Made Them More Resilient Than Other Generations, Psychologists Say
8 Things Most Boomers Experienced as Kids That Made Them More Resilient Than Other Generations, Psychologists Say originally appeared on Parade.
"OK, Boomer" became a catchphrase a few years ago. Often uttered by Millennials, the line was typically accompanied by an eye roll and implied that whatever the "Boomer" (sometimes the Millennial's parent) said was uncool and out of touch. Yet, psychologists say that we could learn a lot about resilience from the Baby Boomer generation, or people born between 1946 and 1964."Resilience is not about 'sucking it up' or 'pulling yourself up by your bootstraps,'" clarifies , a psychologist with Thriveworks. "It is the ability to recover, adapt and grow through adversity. Boomers learned this out of necessity. The Boomer generation…grew up in the post World War II era marked by rapid industrialization, cultural shifts and less emotional handholding."Of course, discussion of generations can often veer into generalization territory. People are still unique, regardless of the year on their birth certificate. Still, Dr. Saidi says it's essential to be mindful of how the cultural, societal and parenting trends and events of your childhood might affect you as an adult."So much of who we are, how we handle stress and emotions, and how we relate to our peers is shaped by parenting, school and cultural norms," she points out.Dr. Saidi and two other psychologists share eight childhood experiences that have made Boomers resilient (and what to do if you were negatively affected by growing up during this time).Related:
It's probably a good thing Boomers couldn't doom-scroll back in the day because the news was a rollercoaster then, too."Boomers were exposed to societal upheaval through events like the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement and the Cold War, which forced them to grapple with uncertainty, loss and moral complexity at a young age," shares a psychologist. "They were able to bounce back from disillusionment and hold nuance, which are both hallmarks of psychological strength."Related:
The Boomer Generation got an early crash course in the value of responsibility and a dollar. However, it did more than add change to their piggy banks."Many Boomers helped with chores, looked after siblings or worked part-time jobs in their teens," reports Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Ph.D., a psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation media advisor. "These early responsibilities helped them build confidence, discipline and a belief that their efforts mattered."
Boomers couldn't type a query into Google or ChatGPT."Boomers had to learn and problem-solve without the internet," Dr. Schiff says. "They would turn to books, libraries or knowledgeable adults in order to answer questions they had."Dr. Saidi wants to double-click on the library point."Boomers had to learn how to gather, synthesize and retain information [through]... libraries and analog learning," she explains. "Research back then was not just one click away."Related:
It wasn't all work and school and no play, though. Boomers often like to share how they knew it was time to go home for dinner: the street lights were on. It's generally not a generational urban legend, and psychologists say the adult-free playtime likely had significant resilience-building benefits."Without constant adult supervision, boomers developed risk tolerance, independence and problem-solving skills through their everyday activities, such as climbing trees and riding bikes," Dr. Saidi says.
It's not just that Boomers enjoyed unstructured outdoor play—it's the type of structures (and playgrounds) they accessed. Boomers didn't play on the playgrounds of today."Boomers grew up with metal slides, monkey bars and few safety rules," Dr. Lira de la Rosa explains. "While not always safe, this environment helped them learn how to handle falls, take risks and figure out what felt safe for them."Related:
"One-click buy" was not a thing when Boomers were coming of age."Boomers grew up without smartphones, streaming services and overnight shipping," Dr. Schiff says. "There was less instant gratification. If they wanted something, they had to save up and wait. This helped them build up patience and the ability to tolerate discomfort. These are key ingredients for managing stress later in life."
These days, the entertainment industry is adapting to the reality that we often use multiple streams at once (AKA scrolling TikTok while "watching" a movie). Boomers were often lucky to get to watch a little TV each week—and it wasn't HD."Having fewer digital distractions led to increased boredom tolerance, which often sparked imagination, creativity and resourcefulness," Dr. Saidi says. "Without having 24/7 internet access or screen time, they had to entertain themselves."Related:
Speaking of fewer digital distractions, Boomers couldn't send someone a message via WhatsApp or text. However, they were arguably more connected than younger generations."Because there was no texting or social media, people talked in person or on the phone," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. "This built strong skills like listening, reading social cues and resolving disagreements in real-time."Related:
Remember, there's a difference between "resilience" and "martyring yourself." "Many Boomers grew up with the idea that you should keep your problems to yourself or 'just deal with it,'" Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. "However, seeking support is not a failure."In fact, he explains that asking for help is a sign of strength."Whether it's turning to a friend, partner, support group or therapist, reaching out is often the first step toward feeling better," he points out.Related:
Dr. Lira de la Rosa says that Boomers may have been repeatedly told not to cry or to "tough it out" as children and internalized this message to their detriment. "When we suppress emotions, they don't go away," he explains. "They often show up as stress, anxiety or even physical health issues. Being able to name and feel your emotions can improve your relationships, reduce your stress and help you feel more at ease in your own skin."Dr. Schiff agrees, urging Boomers to rethink using emotional suppression as a survival strategy."Name and express your feelings in order to build deeper self-awareness and stronger relationships," she says.Related:
It's OK to move on from old expectations. "Norms from childhood may have helped you survive or succeed in the past, but they might not fit your life now," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says.Think an internal monologue that includes things like, "I have to do it all myself," or "Therapy is only for people who are really struggling.""Questioning those ideas doesn't mean you're betraying your values," Dr. Lira de la Rosa continues. "Rather, it means you're growing. Letting go of what no longer helps you creates space for healthier coping and more meaningful connections."
Up Next:Dr. Crystal Saidi, Psy.D., a psychologist with Thriveworks
Dr. Holly Schiff, Psy.D., a psychologist
Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Ph.D., a psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation media advisor
8 Things Most Boomers Experienced as Kids That Made Them More Resilient Than Other Generations, Psychologists Say first appeared on Parade on Jun 15, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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