Where Are American Values Going?
Are American values changing or disappearing altogether? According to many Boomers, the answer is yes, and they’ve got a lot to say about it. Keep reading to find out what Boomers think we’ve lost and why they think it matters.
Respect for Elders
Boomers swear there was a time when saying “yes, ma’am” wasn’t sarcasm. Now, they feel invisible at best and ridiculed at worst. Respect for age and wisdom has taken a back seat to memes and TikTok trends. And don’t even get them started on holding doors.
Work Ethic
Remember when being the first one at work and the last one to leave in the evening got you a gold star (or perhaps a raise)? Boomers say today’s mindset is more about “bare minimum Mondays.” They miss the pride that came with clocking in and just grinding it out, lunch break optional.
Personal Responsibility
Back in their day, if you mess up, you own it and then fix it. Boomers feel today’s culture encourages pointing fingers everywhere except inward. They miss the days when saying, “My bad,” wasn’t a joke but a legitimate plan of action.
Pride in Appearance
Boomers remember when sweatpants were only for laundry day and not date night. To them, dressing up was a sign of respect—for yourself and others. Now, a trip to the grocery store looks like a pajama party, and they still can’t get over it. Maybe it’s a generational gap or maybe it’s a fashion cry for help.
Table Manners
Using phones at dinner? Putting your elbows on the table? Boomers are clutching their cloth napkins. They believe basic etiquette—chewing with your mouth closed, saying “please pass the salt”—is disappearing faster than a warm apple pie. They reminisce about when dinners were about connecting, not TikToks and takeout.
Patriotism
Patriotism was once loud and proud—flags on porches, hands over hearts, and Fourth of July parades that would last for hours. Baby Boomers feel that patriotism has been replaced by skepticism and divisions. They still think about the unity that came with a good ol’ star-spangled celebration.
Saving Before Spending
Boomers grew up with layaway and “if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.” Today? Credit cards and buy-now-pay-later apps are the norm. They lament that younger generations are substituting future financial stability for instant gratification—and a closet full of things they forgot they ordered.
Common Courtesy
Saying “thank you,” holding the elevator, waving at the driver that let you merge—Boomers fear that these basic courtesies are now missing. They miss when being kind to other people was not performative, not filmed to get likes, but just how you treated people. Period.
Handwritten Notes
Texting “thx” after a gift? Boomers are horrified. Stationery and stamps were their love language. They long for the days of heartfelt, handwritten thank-you cards with actual postage. In their eyes, cursive might be a dying art, but manners shouldn’t be.
Accountability in Leadership
Boomers trusted institutions—maybe too much—but they still value honesty from leaders. The current political and corporate chaos leaves them stumped. Apologies without action? Dodged responsibility? They say what’s missing is that old-school, own-your-mistakes leadership.
Family Dinners
Boomers miss when dinner used to mean coming together at the table. Not eating over a keyboard or in separate rooms. They remember dill dip and meatloaf, real conversations, and some mild bickering. Now? it’s takeout and texting from across the house.
Delayed Gratification
Waiting used to be normal. For photos, for mail, for dreams. Boomers think today’s click-and-get-it world is impatient, even entitled. When they were growing up, they saved up for the things they wanted, made plans, and appreciated the wait. Now? Two-day shipping feels like forever, and patience is practically extinct.
Civic Responsibility
Boomers believe citizenship involves responsibilities, not just rights. They expect people to vote, volunteer, show up, and just do whatever is required of them. They're worried about some people's apparent disconnect from their communities and government.
Gratitude for Hard-Won Rights
Baby boomers fought for civil rights, gender equality, and worker protections, and they worry that we take those hard-fought rights for granted. They don't expect a parade; they just expect a little perspective. To them, appreciating the past helps preserve it for the future. Also, a thank-you wouldn’t hurt.
Trust in Each Other
Neighbors once used to borrow sugar, not give each other side-eyes. Boomers feel we’ve grown suspicious and divided, missing the friendly nods and shared responsibility of years past. They miss when “we’re all in this together” wasn’t just a slogan—it was a way of life.
