Social media pundits, and media talking heads, love doing cross generation comparisons – with the general thesis being
- Gen Z has it awful, the worst possible lives in history in one of the worst countries in the history of the world!
- Baby Boomers had it easy, still have it easy and are awful people for having destroyed the earth, the economy and everything.
First, the generation labels originated with the Pew Research Institute, and today, they discourage the use of these labels. The labels are largely arbitrary…. and today are used mostly to create divisiveness. Hence, Pew now discourages their use – but they have become the center of social media discourse.
Second, the stories that mention generations are devoid of historical context.
On social media, we see posts that are something like “Boomers could afford a house/car but Gen Z cannot” … with an implicit assumption that life in the 1950s to the 1970s was identical to today.
Life then was very different. By comparison to then, most people in the United States today are living a life of luxury that was not present in the 1960s or ’70s – and this is unequivocable from the copious data on life then and now.
- A 1970 car was very different than a 2025 automobile.
- Homes today have about 3x more square footage per occupant than back then.
- Homes today have clothes washing machines, dryers, automatic dishwashers, microwave ovens, Internet services, and multiple phones.
Basically, the arguments made are strawman arguments – often based on pulling a fictitious past out of a hat and pretending to compare to today!
Note – this post may be split up – eventually – into separate posts on each topic. Shortly after I wrote this in early November 2025 – for auto posting in December 2025 – I added a new “Gen Z/Generations” category to provide easy access to the collection of information items on this topic. Much of this might work better as a series of short posts.
Homes
Home sizes were smaller, yet had more occupants (show persons per square foot)
Just 18% of homes had an automatic dishwasher in 1970. In the 1970s, our family bought a kitchen dishwasher – it was, as was typical then, a “portable dishwasher” tha
t had to be wheeled over to in front of the kitchen sink. A line attached to the kitchen faucet, and another line was a drain that ran from the portable dishwasher to the kitchen sink.
Here is a photo of one (found on Facebook)
More than half of the population hung their clothes on outdoor clothing lines to dry naturally.
Central HVAC Adoption by Decade
- 1970: Roughly 15–20% of homes had central air conditioning.
- Most homes relied on window units or no cooling at all.
- Central systems were still considered a luxury feature.
- 1980: About 35–40% of homes had central AC.
- Energy crisis of the 1970s slowed adoption, but new suburban construction increasingly included central HVAC.
- 1990: Around 55–60% of homes.
- By this point, central AC was becoming a standard feature in new homes.
- Rising incomes and suburban expansion accelerated adoption.
- 2000: Roughly 70% of homes.
- Central HVAC became the norm in most new construction.
- Regional differences persisted (lower adoption in the Pacific Northwest, higher in the South).
- 2010: About 80–85% of homes.
- Nearly universal in newer homes, with retrofits expanding coverage in older housing stock.
- 2020: Around 88–90% of homes.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data show that by 2020, 90% of households used some form of air conditioning, with central systems dominating in newer homes.
- 2025: Estimated 90–92% of homes.
- Central HVAC is now a near‑universal expectation in new construction, with only older homes in cooler regions lacking it.
- From luxury to necessity: In 1970, central HVAC was rare; by 2025, it is nearly universal.
- Drivers of adoption:
- Suburban expansion and larger homes.
- Rising incomes and cultural expectations of comfort.
- Technological improvements (SEER efficiency standards from the 1980s onward).
- Regional variation: Adoption is highest in the South and Midwest, lowest in the Pacific Northwest and coastal California, where mild climates reduce demand.
Home Construction
Most homes built in the 1950s and 1960s used 2×4 studs for the walls, with minimal insulation – or rock wool or early fiberglass insulation. Windows were almost all single-pane glass, with wood or aluminum frames (aluminum frames leaked heat like crazy)
Starting in the 1980s, and with an eye towards energy use improvements, walls became 2×6 studs with R-19 to R-23 insulation. Depending on the area of the country, windows went to double or triple-paned high efficiency windows. This was due to a 1978 change in building codes that required improved insulation and thermal efficiency.
Appliances
Consumer microwave ovens did not exist
Food Freezers
In the 1960s, an estimated 10-15% of homes had a dedicated food freezer – a “chest” unit or possibly upright. By the 1970s, this increased to 25-30%.
In 2025, an estimated 65% of homes have a separate food freezer.
Nearly 100% of homes have a combined refrigerator/freezer.
“Frozen foods” – from frozen vegetables to frozen pizza and burritos are now considered “normal” – making things from scratch is less common now (but briefly increased during the Covid pandemic).
Home canning of fruits, vegetables and homemade jam was widespread up through the 1960s and into the 1970s but today is a niche hobby. In the ’60s it was sort of a necessity – but today has been replaced by store bought frozen items (canned goods are in decline, replaced by frozen foods, which generally taste better and use less salt and sugar for preservation).
Similarly, kids growing up in the 1950s into the 1960s were often given bologna sandwiches – today, very few people consume bologna sandwiches anymore.
Coffee was made in a percolator
Coffee came pre-ground, sealed in a can. Coffee was made in a percolator coffee pot. No one had a home espresso machine and gourmet coffee.
Phone Services
The typical home had a single rotary dial telephone typically in the kitchen, or sometimes in a living room.
The Bell System generally prohibited owning your own phone – you had to pay a monthly fee to lease the phone handset for your house.
A second phone, connected to the same line as the first, was a luxury item.
Basic monthly local-only phone service ran around $10/month in 1970 dollars.
Long distance phone calls outside your own city typically cost 10 to 25 cents per minute (in 1970 dollars) or more, with discounts for calling in the evening, or after 11 pm. An international call cost $1 to $3 per minute.
While push-button DTMF phones were introduced in the 1960s, most homes used rotary dial phones until the 1980s.
Today, each individual has a smart phone with free long-distance calling, text messaging, photo and video messaging and Internet access. Costs per phone are typically $70 to $100 per month – but can be less on family plans.
Television
In 1970, 60% of homes had a black and white TV; color TVs were available but expensive.
The typical home had 1 television. Today, most homes have 2 or more televisions:
Cable TV
Cable TV was nearly non-existent in 1970.
Personal Computers
96% of US homes have at least one personal computer today. The average home has at least two personal computers.
PCs did not exist in 1970. There was no personal computing, no Internet, no email.
Internet
The Internet and email did not exist in 1970. In 2025, 853% of homes have high-speed data services to the home, and 93% have Internet devices (e.g. smart phones).
Automobiles
In 1970, there was an average of 1.16 vehicles per household and 17.5% had no vehicles, 48% had 1, and 29.3% had 2 and 5.5% had 3 or more.
In 2025, there is an average of 1.88 vehicles per household, 9% had no vehicles, 33% have 1 vehicle, 38% have 2 vehicles, and 20% have 3 or more vehicles.
- Gas mileage: Most cars were in the 12-15 mpg range and use V-8 engines. Smaller cars did not become popular until after the 1973-74 oil embargo – and then tended to get just 18-22 mpg. By the 1980s, several small cars, like the Datsun B210, could get real world mileage of up to 40 mpg – but with tiny 65 hp engines.
- Cars had an AM radio as standard and by 1970, people were adding AM/FM radios to their vehicles. In the 1970s, cassette and 8-track players became a common aftermarket add on.
- Windows were manually operated roll up with a handle; today all cars have automatic windows.
- Car door locks were manual (press down inside, use a key outside); today all cars have automatic locks.
- Maintenance: Oil needed to be replaced every 3,000 miles and valve lash had to be adjusted about every 12,000 miles.
- 50-60% of car owners did their own general vehicle maintenance in 1970. This included oil changes, tire rotations, spark plug, alternator and battery replacements, carburetor and distributor adjustments, engine drive belt replacements, and occasionally replacing the head gaskets.
- In 2025, just 20% of vehicle owners do general maintenance on their own cars.
Restaurant usage
In 1970, about 1 in 4 adults ate out once per week (see below)
In 2025, about 2 in 3 adults eat at a restaurant or purchase a take-out meal at least once per week. The average adult does this 2.8 times per week. Millennials and Gen Z outsource an average of 3.5 to 4 meals per week.
Compare this to 1970
Home delivery of restaurant meals
Home delivery of restaurant meals in 1970 was largely non-existent.
Work Lunches
In 1970, 2 out of 3 workers brought a lunch from home.
In 2025, about 1 in 3 workers bring a lunch from home. A majority now eat out or eat at a company cafeteria.
Vacations
In 1970, the typical American worker received 10 paid vacation days per year – some industries gave more days based on how long you had worked there.
By 2025, vacation days are slightly more generous – although still far fewer than many European countries. Many workers start with 2 or 3 weeks paid vacation, but most receive more based on job tenure.
Some fields, such as health care, may be more generous – nurse practitioners and physician assistants, for example, tend to get 3-4 weeks paid vacation per year and some get 5-6 weeks “paid time off” based on tenure (some combine vacation, personal and sick leave into one lump sum).
Federal workers with 3+ years of experience get at least 4 weeks per year. However, during budget shutdowns, such as happened from October into November of 2025, many workers were sent home and did no work. However, the Federal government retroactively paid them – thus, they received an additional six weeks of paid time off. As government shutdowns have become a common event, this means Federal workers in some years receive 2-3 months of paid vacation time.
Vacation Destinations
In 1970, almost all vacation travel was by car to domestic destinations, state and national parks, historic sites, beaches, new theme parks (such as Disneyland), Most travelers stayed at motels (not hotels or resorts).
- In 1970, less than 25% of the US population traveled by air during the year.
- In 2025, about 55% of the US population will travel by air.
International Travel
- In 1970, an estimated 5 to 10% of Americans traveled internationally for vacation.
- In 2024 an estimated 32% of Americans traveled internationally on vacation.
- Today, the typical American international traveler averages two international trips per year.
Gen Z Has Done a Lot of International Travel
Up to 60% of Gen Z has done international travel – compared to up to 15% of the Boomer generation at the same ages.
Personal Appearance
People spend more money today on personal appearance than they did in 1970 – just from looking at market statistics on hair care.
In 1970, a female “Baby Boomer” spent about $50 per year on cosmetics (about $400 today after inflation), and a similar amount on hair care and fitness gyms and programs were mostly non-existent. The growth of fitness gyms didn’t really start until the 1980s and later. In inflation adjusted terms, a female “Boomer” may have spent up to about $800/year on cosmetics and hair care/salons.
In 2025, female Millennials females spend, on average, $2600/year on cosmetics, haircare/salons, and other services, and female Gen Z, spends an average about $2100. This data comes from multiple sources including Statista (also see Why Millennials Are Investing In Their Looks Like No Generation Before.)
In 2025, younger women spend up to 3x more on these product categories than was done in 1970.
In 2025, “Boomer” and Gen Z aged women have also increased their spending up to $1200 and $1800 respectively.
Women and Hair Color
- In 1970, about 7% of women colored their hair, almost exclusively to hide grey hair.
- In 2025, about 50% of women color or highlight their hair on a regular basis and 75% have colored their hair at least once. They typically spend $75 to $200 every 6 to 8 weeks.
Women and Extensions and Wigs
- In 1970, 3-5% of women used hair extensions (rarely) or wore a wig on a regular basis; at that time, this was more common among black women, and for others, there was often a medical reason such as hair loss.
- In 2025, about 1 in 4 women have used hair extensions (of some type) or wigs on a regular basis, and do so today primarily for personal appearance, for fun, etc. Almost half of black women have worn a wig within the past 12 months.
Men and hair color
- In 1970, 2% of men colored their hair (to hide grey hair).
- In 2025, 11% of mean color their hair (primarily to cover grey hair)
Educational Attainment
About half of US adults lacked a high school diploma in the 1960s. In 2025, about 40% of US adults have a college degree and 42% of those age 25-29 have at least a 4-year degree.
Health Care
9-1-1 did not exist. Our modern paramedic system was introduced in one city in about 1970. Most urban cities adopted the paramedic response system by about 1980; however, it would take longer for areas outside major cities to get these services – typically into the 1990s.
Vietnam War (1964 – 1975)
All males age 18 and older were subject to mandatory conscription – “the Draft”. Women did not register for the draft.
2.7 million American men served in Vietnam – 50,000 Americans lost their lives. Up to 1.6 million were in direct combat positions. During this time, over 9 million American men served in some military role, but about 2/3ds were in roles other than in Vietnam.
During this time, about 1 out of 5 young adults aged 18-25 were drafted or volunteered for military service.
Because the government gave a draft deferment to anyone in college, this began the hyper growth of college attendance by young adults.
Protests were common at college campuses – at Kent State University, the national guard shot and killed students. At Jackson State College in MS, police shot and killed 2 students and wounded 12 others. At Santa Barbara, police shot and killed 1 student protester.
Public Schools
Average students per teacher was 26 in the 1960s to 1970s, but in fast growing parts of the U.S., such as California, it was common to have 30 to 35 students per classroom.
As of 2025, the current U.S. average student to teacher ratio is 15:1.
Schools districts brought in temporary “portable” classrooms, which range from larger buildings the size of typical classrooms, brought in on wheels and put onto temporary foundations. At my high school, many classrooms were added by bringing the equivalent of mobile home sized “construction trailers” – units that were set up in back of the school and used for classrooms.
Classrooms were un-air conditioned, even in hot climates, and were crowded – again 30 to 35 students was common then.
Public School Grading
In 1970, students were generally graded using a curve from A to B to C to D to F. A C grade was considered “common”.
- In 1962, just 13% of grades received were B+ or higher!
- In 1970, a grade of C was considered normal or “average”, with A grades only for exceptional performance by students.
- In 2012, 42% of grades were an A!
- In 2020, more than 50% of student grades were B+ or higher!
- In some fields of study, 90+% of students receive A grades for all work.
- From mid- to late-1980s onward, a grade of “A” became common.
- As of 2025, grades of C or lower are considered “rare”.
- A chart illustrating college course grade inflation is here.
National Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities
Youth Sports
Many kids desire or are expected to participate in sports.
In 1970, there were very few girl sports programs; most programs were boy centric sports.
In 2025, there are many sports for both boys and girls.
Per this report, $1000 per year is a common expense in 2025: Adding up youth sports cost, what one reporter spent for his kid in 2025
In 1970, most sports programs were school run and had no or minimal fees.
- About 45 million young people participate in sports each year – which is about 75% of all children age 5 to 18.
- In 2024, the average annual cost was just over $1,000 per year per sport. (Many students participate in more than one sport).
- For private “club” and public teams that travel to away games, the cost per year can run $2,000 to $10,000, particularly among the elite clubs.
Before Title IX (pre-1972):
- Girls had limited access to school sports.
- In 1971, only 294,000 girls played high school sports compared to 3.7 million boys.
After Title IX:
Schools were required to provide equal opportunities, including:
- Number of teams
- Access to facilities and coaching
- Scholarship funding
In 2025, boys who self-identify as girls, are now permitted to compete on girl’s teams and against other girls. The result is that in 2025, we are gradually ending girls’ sports – just like 1970.
Voting
Until 1971, the minimum voting age in the United States was 21 years old. Later in 1971, the voting age was lowered to 18.
Dim writers, like chef and writer Adam Kelton, assert that the 1973-74 oil embargo and the US going off the gold standard (1971) was caused by “Baby boomers“. As of 1971, you could not vote unless you were born in 1950 or earlier – and the Baby Boom ranged from 1946 to 1964. This means almost none of the “baby boom” had political influence – they were kids! But today, it is fashionable for “writers” like Kelton to make up shit to blame on the “Baby Boom” generation – a group of people that no more selected their own birth date than someone selects the color of their skin. It’s just another form of ‘isms that people like Kelton are fond of pursuing.
Nuclear Holocaust
In the 1960s, the “Cold War” was in full swing – both the US and the USSR had built arsenals of nuclear weapons capable of destroying all life on earth.
On the last Friday of every month, schools held bomb drills. Air raid sirens went off at 10 am, and students practiced crawling under their school desks – as if this was going to save lives in the event of a nuclear attack. All around town, there were nuclear fallout shelter signs on buildings – people were to go there in the event of a nuclear attack.
In the 1970s, the a “nuclear winter” theory was promoted. This hypothesized that in the event of a large-scale nuclear war, much of earth would be set on fire. The combination of smoke and dust clouds from explosions would block out the sunlight, leading the earth into a catastrophic “nuclear winter” that would potentially destroy most life on earth.
Several documentaries and movies were made based on the theme of nuclear destruction including a nuclear winter. A 2025 film, titled “Nuclear Winter” is based on the concept.
Fun times.
Spending versus Savings
Beginning in the 1980s, we developed a “consumer culture” that put more emphasis on spending to upgrade one’s lifestyle, and to use credit cards to obtain instant gratification.
We went from the post-Depression era mindset of “debt is bad, save first, then spend”, to “spend first, pay for it later.
Universal credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) were introduced in about the 1960s. But how they were used evolved significantly from about 1980 onward, giving rise to the consumer culture.
- 1950s–60s: Cards were primarily charge cards—balances had to be paid in full monthly.
- 1980s onward: Deregulation, mass marketing, and rewards programs led to explosive growth in credit card usage.
- 1970s–80s: Revolving credit became standard, allowing users to carry balances to the next month and pay interest.
No surprise, but savings rates fell – and people chose to buy now, pay later.
Personal Finance
Headline story on November 6, 2025 – wow, younger borrowers most likely to be behind on payments.
The media meme is that older generations had it easier, but did they?
Summary: Comparing the Past Versus Today
- Homes have 3x more square feet per person than in the past.
- Today’s homes are constructed with 2×6 studs, are insulated and typically have dual or triple paned windows versus 2×4, uninsulated, single pane window construction of the past.
- Today’s homes have washing machines, dryers, kitchen dishwashers and microwave ovens. Except for washing machines (1960-70s), most homes did not have these appliances.
- People rarely went out to eat in 1970. In 2025, 2 in 3 adults go out to eat at least once per week. Up to half of Millennials and Gen Z order restaurant delivery service meals, many do this 3x to 4x per week.
- In the mid 1960s, about half of US adults did not have a high school diploma. Today, about 40% of U.S. adults have a college degree.
- Cable TV, Internet services, email did not exist in 1970. Today most everyone has streaming TV services and high speed Internet.
- In 1970, most homes had a single rotary dial phone. Today, most homes have a smart phone for each occupant in the home.
- Vacations went from domestic car and camping trips to local attractions to international vacation trips becoming common in 2025.
- Automobiles are far fancier, with many more options (entertainment systems, automatic door locks and powered windows), less maintenance, longer lasting.
- School grading went from the C grade being common to today, a grade of C or lower is extremely rare, thanks to grade inflation.
- Beginning in the 1980s, there was a societal push towards spending to upgrade one’s lifestyle. The post-Depression era approach of saving first and buying after you had the money gave way to buying on the new revolving credit cards and paying later. Easy credit and wide available of credit cards fueled lifestyle upgrades.
- Many of the items we purchase today are paid as monthly subscriptions: cellular phone services, Internet services, cable TV services – whereas such monthly services did not exist in 1970. These can account for hundreds of dollars in monthly expenditures, or many thousands of dollars per year.
(This was written in October and November and scheduled for December posting. It was inspired by a ton of nonsense I saw on X – and sometimes in media stories that have decided it is appropriate to make stuff up about an imaginary past, and then compare that imaginary past to today.)
