Growing up in California, I’ve heard countless stories from older family members about what life was like during their teenage years—often referred to as the “glory days” of the Baby Boomer generation.
As I listened to their anecdotes, I couldn’t help but notice how different their experiences were from those of Gen Z teens today.
Times change, of course, and with them come new norms and expectations.
Still, looking back at some of the risky or downright astonishing things Boomers did, I wonder how modern-day teens would cope if they were tossed into that era, even for just a day.
Let’s take a look at eight of those things and examine why they’d likely be a big challenge for Gen Z.
1. Riding bikes with no helmets, no phones, no fear
One of the biggest memories Boomers share is the freedom of hopping on a bike and riding around the neighborhood—often all the way to the next town—without a helmet or any protective gear.
It sounds crazy now, but back then, it was just what you did. Nobody was texting or checking in on social media.
If you fell, you got a few scrapes and maybe a scolding from your mom afterward, but that was it.
We live in an era where most of us can’t imagine heading out without our phones, let alone ditching safety measures like helmets.
For Gen Z, biking without a phone is like flying without a parachute: you can’t immediately call or text if there’s trouble, you can’t Google your route, and you can’t document that new café you stumbled upon.
The Boomer approach was more about embracing the uncertainty. As Gary Vaynerchuk famously noted, “Skills are cheap. Passion is priceless.” In many ways, that raw passion for just getting out there and exploring defined the Boomer teen years.
They discovered independence by simply going, without worrying about constant digital communication or updates.
2. Drinking from the garden hose (and everything else)
I remember hearing stories from my aunt about coming home on a scorching day and quenching her thirst by drinking water straight from the garden hose.
It was the fastest and most convenient way to cool down, especially if you’d just biked a couple of miles. While some of us still do this occasionally, it’s nowhere near as common.
Nowadays, there’s a tendency to want everything sanitized, filtered, and BPA-free.
Gen Z has become especially health-conscious, thanks to increased awareness around water quality and contaminants—valid reasons to be cautious. But it does highlight just how carefree Boomers were in their younger years. They shrugged off a bit of dirt or rust in the water as part of everyday life.
In a hyper-sanitized era, this kind of freewheeling attitude toward “Is it totally clean or not?” might make many Gen Zers queasy.
3. Road trips without GPS (or phones)
Picture this: a group of teenagers piling into a beat-up car, clutching a paper map, and driving across state lines on a whim. No GPS, no cell phones, and no continuous play-by-play on social media.
They planned their routes with a few scribbles on a notepad, some vague directions, and a strong sense of adventure.
Even I, a millennial, would feel nervous without my smartphone’s map function. I rely on it for every aspect of travel—directions, translations, last-minute lodging.
So how would Gen Z handle a spontaneous, map-based road trip? Probably with a fair bit of stress.
Even though Tim Ferriss once said, “Focus on being productive instead of busy,” we often fill every free moment with digital tasks. For Boomers back then, being “busy” was simply living life in real-time, without an endless queue of notifications.
Would modern teens find freedom in that, or would they feel lost without digital guidance?
4. Checking in by payphone (or not at all)
While I never had to rely on quarters for payphones, I’ve mentioned this before in a different post—Boomers had to plan their entire social calendar in advance because they couldn’t text or call last-minute.
They had designated meeting spots, and if you missed someone, you’d have to leave a message on their family’s landline and wait. That level of patience and planning is something I genuinely admire.
Today, immediate responses are expected—even demanded. Gen Z is used to instant replies, location-sharing, and video calls. Imagine trying to date or meet new friends without DMs or FaceTime.
It’s almost unthinkable to not have a digital platform to rely on. Yet Boomers cultivated patience and trust simply because they had no choice.
5. Working odd jobs for extra cash… early
Boomers often started earning pocket money as early as their preteens—paper routes, babysitting, bagging groceries.
Many Gen Z teens do work part-time jobs, but back then, it wasn’t uncommon for 12- or 13-year-olds to hustle long hours before or after school.
The mindset was “work hard, earn your keep,” regardless of age. In a world with stricter child labor laws and more protective parenting, it’s harder to imagine teens embracing that level of independence so soon.
But Boomers gained a tangible understanding of money, effort, and delayed gratification. They learned early on that if you put in the time, even with a humble gig, you reaped real rewards.
6. Surviving entire afternoons of “nothing to do”
One thing that stands out about Boomer teens is how much free, unsupervised time they had.
They weren’t always packed with extracurriculars. They’d roam the neighborhood, join pickup games, or just hang out with friends.
Boredom was part of the routine—yet that boredom often sparked creativity.
Today, with streaming services and social media at our fingertips, the moment we feel bored, we jump online. That constant digital stimulation can smother imaginative thinking.
Research notes that unstructured play fosters critical problem-solving skills and healthy mental development.
Boomers got that by default. Many Gen Zers, raised in a digital environment, might find a day without structured entertainment downright uncomfortable.
7. Taking risks with minimal safety nets
I’ve heard plenty of stories about backyard stunts and daring pranks from Boomer relatives.
My dad once climbed a neighbor’s tree and leaped into a makeshift haystack, walking away with just a sore ankle. That was a normal Sunday for him and his friends.
Would Gen Z do the same?
Some might, but they’d likely record it for TikTok or check the internet for “best landing techniques” first. And, truthfully, many would skip it altogether because it looks too risky.
Dale Carnegie famously said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.” Boomers built confidence by doing—sometimes recklessly.
They had an unspoken code of “We’ll handle it ourselves,” which seems foreign to a generation brought up on cautionary tales and viral fail videos.
8. Going offline—completely
Last but not least, Boomers grew up in a world where “offline” wasn’t a lifestyle choice—it was the default.
If you wanted to connect with someone, you had to do it in person or over a landline. If you needed to research something, you had to physically head to the library.
For Gen Z, removing smartphones and the internet—even for a short time—can feel like losing a vital sense. It’s not a flaw; it’s the reality of growing up in a hyper-connected era.
But imagine the mental space that opens up when you’re not constantly scrolling or refreshing. Boomers didn’t need formal “digital detoxes” because life was a constant detox.
Putting it all together
Reflecting on these eight throwbacks, it’s clear how much the world has changed. Boomers got by on resourcefulness, risk-taking, and an almost endless supply of patience.
Would Gen Z truly “not survive” doing these things?
It might be dramatic to say they’d fail entirely, but it would surely be a shock to navigate a day without modern conveniences.
Here at DM News, we often talk about stepping outside your comfort zone.
Maybe there’s value in revisiting some of these old-school habits—like carving out a little unstructured time, daring to explore without digital aids, or just having a conversation face-to-face without the safety net of our phones.
We don’t need to abandon modern technology altogether, but a bit of that Boomer spirit—spontaneity, resilience, and offline connection—might help us all find a healthier balance.
After all, growth doesn’t just come from new innovations; it can also come from rediscovering what was good about the past.
