Gen X walked so Gen Z could live-stream the entire experience. From awful jokes to ridiculous parenting expectations, Gen X did things that just won’t cut it in today’s “online forever” climate. If Gen Z attempted even half of this, they’d get roasted, ratioed, and hashtag-cancelled before the TikTok even finished loading.
Making Fun of Literally Everything
Nothing was taboo. Disability? Race? Weight? Gen X comedians ridiculed all of them, and everyone found it hilarious. And they laughed… Hard. What would get you publicly shamed today was a given on prime-time TV yesterday. Gen Z is all about safe spaces and respect, but Gen X? They were taught “toughen up” and “freedom of speech.” Problematic about a lot of things? Yeah.
Calling People Without Texting First (Rude!)
Gen X just… phoned people. Out of the blue. Without warning. No “u free?” text message. They even left voicemails. Even long ones. Nowadays, that’s a social offense. Gen Z views spontaneous calls as a form of offense. Seriously, who picks up unfamiliar numbers nowadays? If not a meme or voice note, don’t call.
Playing Outside… Unsupervised… For Hours
Helmets? Cell phones? Watched by adults? Gen X didn’t know her. Parents sent them out the door at 10 a.m. and didn’t lay eyes on them until dinner. No GPS, no check-ins, but complete and utter bedlam. Leaving a child alone for 10 minutes in the front yard today would have Child Protective Services coming to call. Gen Z has trackers in their phones—Gen X had vibes.
Mocking Mental Illness for Laughs
Something was wrong with someone? “She’s crazy.” Obsessive-compulsive? “He’s a nutjob.” Mental health issues were not considered seriously. They were material for jokes. Nowadays? Such speech is tone-deaf, offensive, and bad manners.
Using the Word “Gay” as an Insult
Let’s get real: Gen X just threw around “That’s so gay” to comment on anything from a lousy haircut to algebra homework. It wasn’t hip, but it was normal. Now, that same phrase would incite immediate outrage. Gen Z is all about inclusivity and identity-affirming language—Gen X? They were simply attempting to be cool and blend in, and sure… it might be cruel.
Littering Like It Was a Sport
Back then, nobody thought twice about tossing McDonald’s wrappers out the car window or leaving cans at the park. There were no viral beach cleanups or guilt-inducing turtle videos. Gen Z is eco-conscious and ready to cancel a brand over plastic straws.
Playing Music with Explicit Lyrics—With Kids in the Backseat
Ever heard ’90s rap music on adult ears? Gen X had been rocking with hard-core explicit content—no bleeping, no editing—while their children were stuffed in the backseat of the car. Gen Z’s playdate playlist? Edits, cleans, and kid-friendly. If they played the tunes at a PTA function today? Suspended. And maybe even reported.
Treating Burnout Like a Badge of Honour
No snooze, all hustle. Gen X hustled until you snapped—literally. Ambition was the name. Gen Z remembers a call for help and is waving red flags about toxic work culture and calling for work-life balance today. Gen X was over here scraping by on coffee, deadlines, and stress-induced chest pain. Yikes.
Obsessing Over Celebrity Weight in Teen Magazines
Both of those strategies had a “fat or fab” aspect, zooms of cellulite, and bullying headlines like “Beach Body or Body Shamed?” Gen Z body positivity movement would turn such trash into rubbles in two seconds flat. And they should.
Pranking Calls with ZERO Guilt
Prior to caller ID embarrassing the caller, Gen X was pros at prank calling strangers and businesses for giggles. Delivering 20 pizzas to one front porch? Good sense of humor back in the day. Today, it’s harassment, and the net would be hunting your soul—and your IP address.
Letting Kids Ride in the Bed of a Pickup Truck
No seatbelts. No helmets. Just children careening around the back of a runaway pickup truck. It was “freedom.” Nowadays? It’s a lawsuit in the making and a viral video entitled “Why Some People Shouldn’t Be Parents.”
Being “Boys Will Be Boys” Was An Excuse For Everything
Fighting? Harassing girls? Just generally being a thorn in everybody’s side? “He’s just being a boy.” That slogan let so much happen during Gen X culture. Gen Z? They’re saying no. Not nice. Being held accountable as cool, and defending boys when they’re acting poorly? Not Anymore.
Watching Problematic Shows Like They Were Totally Normal
You recall those Saturday night sitcoms that lost their charm like margarine? Gen X watched with them, and they loved them. Fatphobia, racism, sexism—it was all fair game for the humor of the time. Gen Z rewound these shows and all said, “Yeah, this ain’t it.” That which was previously harmless “humor” now has a place in the cringe museum.
Airing Dirty Laundry on Daytime Talk Shows
Maury. Jerry Springer. Geraldo. Gen X came up with trauma TV. Cheating exposes, paternity tests, and break-ups of the family—on live TV. And Gen Z would complain that it was exploitative and start a petition to cancel the entire genre.
Bullying—Then Liking to Call It “Character Building”
Gen X bullied each other like it was a coming-of-age ritual. Name-calling? Suck it up. Tears? Being called names once more. No “safe space,” no anti-bullying programs—just suck it up. Gen Z has entire school programs and TikToks about kindness. Gen X? They weaponized trauma and called it personality. That would never fly today.
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A few of those old school traditions were strange, insane, and actually a little bit just right. But between growing up and glowing up, they vanished. These are the childhood traditions we took for granted back in the day — and yes, some of them are due for a revival.
17 Childhood Traditions That Don’t Exist Anymore
Boomer Childhood Experiences That Show Kids Today Have It Easy
No, it was not a TikTok dance or asking Alexa to make things happen. Prior to iPads and DoorDash, kids were basically free labor. Here are the 21 chores Boomers did as kids that would put today’s kids straight into therapy.
Boomer Childhood Experiences That Show Kids Today Have It Easy