36 Things From The Recent Past That The Younger Generations Get Completely Wrong

We managed to get in touch with WeirdJawn and they agreed to tell us more about their post. 

As with many ideas, it popped into the Redditor's head unexpectedly. "To be honest, I was probably pooping or on break during work," they told Bored Panda. 

"I've always been interested in generational differences and curious how people from different generations perceive others. I feel there can be a huge disconnect between generations, especially when they're not interacting with each other."

The generation gap that was so in evidence during the '60s has resurfaced, but it is not as disruptive as it was during the Vietnam era, a 2009 study suggests.

A Pew Research Center study found that 79% of Americans see major differences between younger and older adults in the way they look at the world, while a Gallup Poll from 1969 discovered that a slightly smaller percentage, 74%, perceived major differences.

Today, although more Americans see generational differences, most do not think they're divisive. That is partly because of the areas in which they arise — the top ones between young and old, according to the Pew Research Study, are the use of technology and taste in music. Behind them are attitudes toward different races and groups, moral values, religious beliefs, respect for others, political views, and work ethic.

After going through the discussion, WeirdJawn noticed that, "one of the common themes [in the thread] was refuting the oft-repeated sentiment of Boomers having it easy, the economy always being great, and everyone being able to live a good life on one paycheck from someone with a high school diploma."

"I don't think people can have a 1 to 1 knowledge of what each generation goes through," the Redditor said. "However, I believe the internet makes it easier than ever to understand other people's lived experiences because you have the opportunity to hear from people you would have never encountered prior."

"I would recommend that people young and old make the effort to get out of their comfort zone and talk to different generations," they added. "Volunteer at a nursing home, Boys' and Girls' club, etc. We can all learn a lot from each other if we're just willing to listen."

Writer William Safire also didn't demonize the generation gap, saying in his book Safire's Political Dictionary that it can be either "a frustrating lack of communication between young and old" or "a useful stretch of time that separates cultures within a society, allowing them to develop their own character."