Women have come a long way over the past several decades, but not everyone is on board with that.
For instance, boomer women had their own set of expectations about work, relationships, and even how to present themselves, so it’s no surprise that some of the choices younger women make today leave them shaking their heads. Whether it’s attitudes toward marriage, careers, or just daily life, here are things younger women do that often baffle those born in an earlier generation.
1. Not rushing into marriage
For boomer women, getting married young wasn’t just common — it was expected. A lot of them tied the knot in their early twenties, and if you weren’t engaged by a certain age, people started asking questions. Now? Younger women are in no rush. Many are focusing on careers, travelling, or just figuring out who they are before settling down. Some aren’t interested in marriage at all. The idea that life isn’t built around finding a husband still confuses some older women, who can’t quite understand why anyone would choose to wait.
2. Being open about not wanting kids
For boomer women, having kids wasn’t really up for debate — it was just part of the plan. Whether you wanted them or not, the expectation was that you’d start a family at some point. But younger women are making different choices. Some don’t want kids at all, while others are delaying motherhood until it makes sense for them. The idea that someone might be perfectly happy without children is something older women still struggle to wrap their heads around.
3. Switching careers later in life
Back in the day, people picked a job and stuck with it. Job-hopping wasn’t encouraged, and making a big career change in your 30s or 40s? That was risky. Now, younger women have no problem switching things up if they’re unhappy. Whether it’s leaving a steady job to start a business or completely changing fields, the idea that a career isn’t for life can be hard for boomer women to understand.
4. Talking openly about money
Boomer women were raised to keep money talk private. Salaries, debt, savings — these things weren’t discussed, even among close friends or family. Younger women, on the other hand, are breaking that silence. They share salary details, talk about financial struggles, and openly discuss ways to build wealth. To older generations, this can seem a little too bold, but for younger women, it’s just about making sure they’re not being taken advantage of.
5. Putting mental health first
For a lot of boomer women, the attitude toward mental health was simple: push through it. Therapy wasn’t something most people talked about, and struggling with anxiety or depression was often dismissed as just “feeling down.” Now, younger women prioritise mental health the same way older generations prioritised physical health. They set boundaries, take mental health days, and openly talk about therapy. The idea of not just “getting on with it” can feel unfamiliar to those who grew up with a stiff-upper-lip mentality.
6. Ditching traditional beauty standards
Boomer women were raised with pretty strict beauty expectations — neat hair, polished outfits, and an overall “put-together” look. Looking effortless often took a lot of effort. Today, younger women embrace a much wider definition of beauty. Natural hair, bold makeup, body positivity, and even skipping makeup altogether are all normal. The idea that looking good doesn’t have to mean looking a certain way is still something older women struggle to fully grasp.
7. Choosing not to wear bras
For boomer women, bras were non-negotiable. Whether comfortable or not, they were considered a necessary part of dressing properly. Younger women, though, aren’t having it. Many go braless entirely, opt for bralettes instead, or choose comfort over structure. The idea that women don’t have to wear a bra every day is something older women still find surprising.
8. Using dating apps like it’s normal
For boomer women, dating usually happened in person through friends, work, or just bumping into someone at the right time. The idea of meeting a partner through an app? It feels unnatural. For younger women, though, dating apps are just part of life. It’s how they meet people, whether for relationships or just casual fun. The idea of waiting to randomly meet someone in real life feels outdated when you can swipe through thousands of options from your sofa.
9. Insisting on splitting the bill
For many boomer women, men paying for dates was standard. It wasn’t just about money—it was about chivalry, respect, and showing that a man could “take care of you.” Younger women, though, often prefer to split the bill. It’s not that they don’t appreciate generosity — they just value financial independence and don’t want to feel obligated to someone just because they covered dinner.
10. Spending money on experiences instead of stuff
For older generations, success was often measured by material things—a house, nice jewellery, a well-decorated home. Owning things was a sign of stability. But younger women are more likely to spend their money on travel, concerts, or experiences. The idea of putting memories over material things is something that doesn’t always make sense to boomer women, who grew up saving for physical assets.
11. Not buying into hustle culture
Older generations took pride in working long hours, pushing through exhaustion, and sacrificing personal time to get ahead. Work ethic meant never slowing down. Younger women, though, aren’t here for burnout. They set boundaries, prioritise work-life balance, and don’t believe that being constantly exhausted is something to be proud of. To boomer women, this sometimes looks like a lack of ambition, but really, it’s about choosing long-term well-being over short-term grind.
12. Walking away from bad relationships
Many boomer women stayed in unhappy relationships because leaving wasn’t always an option. Divorce was frowned upon, financial independence was harder to achieve, and the idea of sticking it out was heavily ingrained. Younger women are far less likely to stay in something that doesn’t serve them. They leave toxic relationships, set firm boundaries, and prioritise self-respect. The idea of walking away from something just because it isn’t working is something that still feels foreign to some older women.
13. Wearing whatever they want at any age
Boomer women grew up with pretty clear rules about what was “appropriate” at different ages. Certain hairstyles, clothing styles, or even makeup choices were expected to change as you got older. Younger women reject those rules entirely. They wear what they like, experiment with fashion at any age, and don’t feel the need to “tone things down” just because they’re getting older.
14. Speaking up instead of keeping quiet
Many older women were raised to avoid confrontation, keep things polite, and not “rock the boat.” Expressing opinions too boldly wasn’t always encouraged. But younger women have no problem speaking up—whether it’s calling out sexism, setting boundaries, or just being honest about what they want. The idea of being direct rather than keeping the peace can feel unfamiliar to boomer women who were taught to prioritise harmony above all else.
