Every generation believes that its own time-or the eras before-were better, stronger, and more virtuous than the present. This refrain, echoing from ancient philosophers to modern parents, is as old as humanity itself. “Young people today just aren’t what they used to be,” goes the complaint, whether in Athens, London, or Mumbai. But why does this belief persist, and what does it reveal about us?
At its heart, this conviction is rooted in human psychology. Dr. Charles Obiajulu Ugwu calls it the “illusion of generational superiority.” As people age, they remember their youth as a golden age, glossing over its hardships and exaggerating its virtues. Nostalgia is comforting; it reassures us that we were part of something special and softens the anxiety that comes with change and the unknown. It is easier to believe the world is declining than to accept that it is simply changing in ways we may not fully understand.
History is filled with examples of this generational skepticism. In 1907, a British newspaper grumbled that the youth were “grossly thoughtless, rude, and utterly selfish.” In the 1930s, Oswald Spengler complained about young people’s “bad manners” and disregard for tradition. In India, similar laments have echoed through the decades. Elders who grew up in post-independence India often recall an era of simplicity, respect, and hard work, contrasting it with what they perceive as the impatience and materialism of today’s youth. Yet, these same elders were once accused by their own parents of abandoning tradition and being swept away by Western influences, cinema, and new political ideas.
The pattern is clear: each generation, as it ages, criticizes the next for failing to live up to its own standards. Psychologists explain this as a natural cognitive bias. We tend to notice where others fall short in areas we value or excel in ourselves. If we see ourselves as hardworking, we’re quick to spot what looks like laziness in others. If we value respect for authority, we see the younger generation as disrespectful. These are not fair or objective judgments-they are reflections of our own biases and insecurities.
Sociologists have tried to explain this cycle. The Strauss–Howe generational theory, for example, suggests that history moves in waves, with each generation playing a role in a repeating drama of crisis and renewal. While not everyone agrees with this theory, it captures the sense that generational conflict is part of how societies grow and adapt. Each new generation must challenge the old ways to meet new challenges. In India, the post-liberalization generation embraced technology, global culture, and entrepreneurship, often clashing with parents who valued stability and tradition. Today, Gen Z in India is pushing boundaries even further, questioning everything from gender roles to environmental policy, and facing criticism for being “too sensitive” or “too rebellious.”
The criticisms themselves rarely change. The Silent Generation, shaped by war and hardship, sees younger people as soft and undisciplined. Boomers, raised in relative comfort, accuse Millennials and Gen Z of lacking resilience and ambition. Generation X worries that today’s youth are too dependent on technology and lack independence. Meanwhile, Millennials and Gen Z often see their elders as out of touch and resistant to change. In India, older generations lament the loss of joint family systems and traditional values, while younger people point to the pressures of competitive exams, job scarcity, and the mental health crisis as real challenges that previous generations did not face.
But these criticisms often ignore the reality of each generation’s struggles. Millennials and Gen Z are accused of being unable to buy homes, but they face soaring prices, stagnant wages, and insecure jobs. They are called fragile, yet they are growing up in a world of global pandemics, climate anxiety, and relentless social media scrutiny. What looks like weakness to one generation may simply be adaptation to a new and harsher reality. In India, the pressure to succeed in a hyper-competitive environment, the breakdown of traditional support systems, and the rapid pace of social change create unique stresses that previous generations did not experience.
Perceptions of quality of life also shift with time and circumstance. Surveys show that most generations rate their lives as good, but Generation X tends to be less satisfied, perhaps because they straddle two very different worlds: the analog past and the digital present. Older generations often value community and resilience, while younger people prioritize mental health, flexibility, and social justice. Each set of values reflects the world they grew up in. In India, older people may recall the warmth of extended families and the slower pace of life, while the young value the opportunities and freedoms brought by globalization and technology.
Despite the complaints, there is also empathy. Many young people recognize that mental health was ignored in the past, while older generations admit that today’s world is more complex and stressful in different ways. A Gen Z student in Delhi might say, “I hope people start to care more about each other,” while a Boomer in Chennai might recall, “We had it tough physically, but maybe they have it tougher mentally.”
The belief in generational decline is less about reality and more about how we cope with change. It’s a way of holding on to what feels familiar and safe. But the truth is, every generation has its strengths and weaknesses, shaped by the unique challenges of its time. The criticisms that echo through history are really echoes of our own fears-fear of losing relevance, fear of the unknown, fear that the world is slipping away from us.
If we look past the illusion of superiority, we see that each generation brings something valuable to the table. The wisdom and resilience of the old, the energy and creativity of the young-together, they are the engine of progress. In India, this is visible in the way family businesses combine the experience of elders with the innovation of the youth, or in social movements where young activists build on the legacy of past reformers. The real task is not to decide which generation is best, but to listen, learn, and build bridges between ages. Only then can we truly honor the human spirit, which adapts, survives, and hopes, no matter the era.
In the end, the story of generations is not one of decline, but of change and renewal. We are all part of a long, unbroken chain, each link shaped by its own struggles and triumphs. Instead of fearing the future or clinging to the past, let us recognize the value in every generation-and move forward, together.
Justice N.Anand Venkatesh Judge High Court Madras
