Here’s a new theory about the millennial generation: Maybe they just skipped a step. Maybe today’s youth — “content to be unambitious, sleep til 11, just hang out with their friends, have no occupations whatsoever, maybe working a couple hours a week at a coffee shop,” per Portlandia — have leapt straight from a prolonged childhood into retirement.
The hard-working, self-important baby boomers once criticized today’s youth for their lazy ways. But now, as the boomers approach their designated lazy times, they’re taking off their glasses in amazement and doffing their caps in appreciation. Those millennials! They sure know a thing or two about not working!
One kindly sounding baby boomer, nearing retirement, wrote in a New York Times opinion piece that he looks to generation millennial for pro tips. Jim Sollisch admires his dear son Max, a 25-year-old singer/songwriter. Max’s life is “off the charts. He’s living the life of a millionaire retiree.” Love when a boomer says “off the charts.” Truly, that’s a delight. Sollisch even wants to change his description of success based on millennial values: “Maybe we should have an expression that captures the level of success you’ve achieved when you do exactly what you love every day.”
Meanwhile, the New York Post reports that some boomers are giving that whole shared house and chore wheel thing a try! It’s called “Boomer Roomies.” Folks in their sixties — “fiercely independent and young at heart” — are moving in together. Two of these delightful roomies are even blogging about their experience (seniorflatmates.com).
Perhaps this is why so many boomers have been railing against the millennials for so long. They were just playing the long game. Their criticism of millennial values allowed them create a truly contentious group within society, which they would in turn join and relieve their days of youthful rebellion.
