It’s fascinating how different generations carry unique perspectives on life. Baby boomers, in particular, have been labeled as more “authentic” or “real” in how they interact with the world.
I’ve often wondered how that sense of authenticity developed over time, especially since younger generations like mine (millennials) are often labeled as more connected but, paradoxically, sometimes less genuine.
Why do some psychologists suggest that boomers have this edge in authenticity?
Let’s unpack that by looking at a few reasons that could explain it, based on research, expert insights, and a bit of personal observation.
1. They grew up with fewer distractions
One of the biggest differences between boomers and the rest of us is the sheer volume of distractions we face today.
I remember my first cell phone; it was a clunky flip phone, and texting was still a novelty. But before that, communication happened face-to-face or via landlines.
Boomers lived the majority of their formative years in a world where digital notifications and social media didn’t exist.
This absence of constant distractions forced them to focus more on real-life interactions. There’s a difference between listening and waiting for your turn to speak.
Growing up with simpler technology, boomers spent more time actively listening to each other—something many of us struggle with when a phone screen is always within reach.
Because boomers weren’t bombarded by perpetual digital noise, they often had deeper face-to-face communication skills.
That foundation may have influenced them to be more genuine in their interactions, since they weren’t multitasking or subconsciously “performing” for an online audience.
2. They learned self-reliance early on
When I was a kid, I took for granted that if I wanted to learn something, I could probably Google it.
Boomers didn’t have this luxury in their youth. They had to figure things out the old-fashioned way: through libraries, word-of-mouth, or plain old trial and error.
This self-reliance may have shaped their sense of authenticity. When you have to rely on your own ingenuity, you develop a clearer sense of who you are and what you’re capable of.
Psychologists often tie authenticity to self-confidence. If you’ve handled challenges on your own—from changing your car tire on a country road to sorting out your finances without an app—your identity isn’t as heavily influenced by outside voices. You learn to trust your own judgment.
One study even points out that perceived self-efficacy and authenticity often go hand in hand.
In other words, feeling that you can solve problems by yourself might make you more comfortable being true to who you are, because you’re not as dependent on external approval.
3. They focused on face-to-face connection
Have you ever caught yourself in a group setting where, instead of chatting with the people next to you, everyone’s scrolling through their feeds? I’ll be honest—I’ve done it more times than I’d like to admit.
Boomers, on the other hand, spent a great deal of their childhood and young adulthood relying on face-to-face contact to stay entertained and connected.
This likely led to stronger interpersonal skills and an honest approach to building relationships. If you had an issue with someone back then, you hashed it out in person—there was no hiding behind an Instagram story or leaving cryptic “tweets.”
As Dale Carnegie famously said, “When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion.”
Boomers might exemplify this advice because they were steeped in a culture that encouraged real emotional exchanges, rather than digital ones. It’s hard to be inauthentic when you’re looking someone in the eye and reacting to their facial expressions in real time.
4. They encountered less “performance pressure”
Growing up in the social media era often feels like living in a constant talent show.
Whether it’s posting the perfect photo on Instagram or curating a “brand” on LinkedIn, there’s a lot of pressure to appear a certain way.
This performance pressure can take a toll on authenticity, making it challenging to stay true to yourself when you’re always aware of how many likes or views you might receive.
Boomers were spared this digital performance stage until much later in their lives. Even when they were older and the internet came around, many of them had already formed their adult identities.
They were less susceptible to being shaped by online metrics and external validation. I’m not saying they don’t enjoy a good Facebook scroll, but they didn’t grow up with that notion of performing 24/7 for an online audience.
As Gary Vaynerchuk has noted, “We’re living in an era where there’s so much overvaluation of instant gratification.”
Boomers largely sidestepped this pitfall in their developmental years, which could explain why they’re more comfortable being themselves, no frills required.
5. They witnessed massive societal shifts
I’ve mentioned this before but massive societal changes can shape an entire generation’s worldview.
Boomers lived through events like the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, and the women’s liberation movement. They were part of—or at least affected by—cultural revolutions that demanded honesty and social accountability.
When you come of age during times of upheaval, you’re forced to confront what you stand for.
In many cases, these experiences lead people to clarify their values, forming a sense of identity less rooted in superficial trends and more anchored in deep moral or societal beliefs.
That clarity often translates to authenticity, because you’re making decisions based on core values rather than fleeting cultural moments.
Here at DM News, we love to explore how external events shape our internal compass. Boomers’ “realness,” in a sense, might be a result of living through defining decades that challenged them to stand up for something—often publicly.
You can’t hide behind an avatar when you’re marching in protest or voting in a watershed election. That’s true, raw authenticity at work.
6. They had fewer lifestyle comparisons
Scrolling through social media can give us a highlight reel of everyone’s “perfect” life.
The constant comparisons—who’s traveling more, who’s dressing cooler, who’s making six figures—can breed inauthenticity. We might find ourselves adopting certain preferences just to keep up.
Boomers didn’t have a curated feed to compare against. They compared themselves to real people they actually knew—the friend who bought a new car or the couple that moved into the bigger house down the street.
Yes, comparisons existed, but they were more grounded in tangible relationships and real-life context.
And because the comparisons were more real than idealized, it probably didn’t warp their sense of self as drastically.
Feeling less pressure to constantly measure up to an endless stream of polished updates means you can stay truer to your own path. That sense of security, according to some psychologists, is a huge factor in long-term authenticity.
7. They respect privacy
Every generation has its own approach to privacy, but let’s face it—millennials and Gen Z tend to share a lot, maybe too much, online.
Think about how many times you’ve seen someone post a rant or a deeply personal story for hundreds of virtual acquaintances to see.
Boomers generally keep their personal lives more private. They grew up in a time when telling everyone about your struggles or triumphs wasn’t always the default setting. There’s an authenticity in deciding which parts of your life remain personal and which parts you’re willing to share with the world.
This doesn’t mean they don’t open up. They simply learned to treasure face-to-face conversations for sensitive topics, opting for sincerity in smaller circles.
Even as a former digital marketer, I often remind myself that not every thought belongs on social media. Boomers seem to have an inherent understanding of this principle—probably because they spent decades communicating in more personal, offline ways.
8. They built trust through real-world experiences
Last but not least, trust plays a huge role in authenticity. If you grow up valuing handshakes, meeting people in person, and taking the time to get to know someone, you form deeper bonds.
Boomers often recount stories of working at the same company for years, building relationships with coworkers, neighbors, and friends in a single community.
In contrast, many younger folks (myself included) have hopped from job to job, sometimes across different cities, often forming more transient relationships.
I’ve traveled a lot, for instance, which is amazing for broadening horizons—but it can also make it harder to put down roots and establish the kind of day-to-day rapport that fosters genuine honesty in relationships.
That steady sense of place and continuity can reinforce authenticity. When you’ve known someone for decades, it’s tough to be fake around them. You have a shared history that holds you accountable.
Psychologists would say that’s a recipe for authenticity because it discourages superficial behavior.
Putting it all together
Even though the world has changed drastically, there’s a reason many people see baby boomers as less filtered and more real.
They grew up with fewer digital distractions and more face-to-face exchanges.
They found self-reliance before the internet made everything instantly available, and they lived through major shifts that forced them to define their values on a deeper level.
From my perspective, we can learn from them by taking a step back from the performance-driven nature of our digital lives and engaging more meaningfully with the people around us.
Whether that means carving out time for offline conversations or reframing how we compare ourselves to others, there’s a lot we can borrow from the boomer playbook.
At the end of the day, authenticity isn’t exclusive to any one generation. It’s a mindset that anyone can cultivate, regardless of their birth year. But with boomers, it’s a bit easier to see where those real, down-to-earth qualities were nurtured.
Perhaps one of the simplest lessons we can take from them is that being genuine often just means being present.
And maybe that’s what makes us feel they’re more authentic: they were fully there—no smartphone in hand—when it mattered most.
