Lately, we asked some Gen Z women what they don’t get about older women. The answers came pouring in — some were funny, some were frustrating, and some were really sweet. Here’s a bunch of the best ones we got:
1. “I don’t understand why they don’t love themselves more. I look up to some older women in my life, as they’ve faced hard sh-t and still have the courage to live another day.”—cnilechild
It’s a bittersweet observation. Gen Z admires their resilience but wonders why they don’t celebrate themselves more. Maybe it’s because they were raised in a time when self-love was less of a focus and survival often came first.
2. “I don’t know if this is all older women, but in my view, they’re always buying things. They constantly get stuff they don’t need, and it just sits in their houses forever.”
“Examples: the Stanley Cup craze, makeup they won’t use, and shoes they won’t wear. It totally feels like capitalism and consumerism culture gets to them. I only buy stuff when I need it and I wait for there to be a deal on stuff I need.” —Watslet
For some older women, shopping may be a form of comfort or self-expression. Or maybe it’s about filling a void — an attempt to claim something for themselves in lives often spent prioritizing others.
3. “[I don’t understand] why some older women [are] rude and entitled towards service industry workers.” —lexxkw92
“I could say the same thing about every generation… I think we see people outside of our cohort and their actions in a different way than we see our own.” —cerdwyn
True enough. It might seem like older women are rude, but it could also be a mix of personality, upbringing, and bad days. Plus, we all tend to notice flaws in others more easily than our own, right?
4. “I simply can’t imagine how they can bear to put up with so much crap from their husbands! The other day, I was at the salon, and there was a friendly older gal there who I started talking to. She revealed that she was there to get her bikini wax. I was like, ‘Cool.’ Then she disclosed that she only did it because it was her husband’s request!” —Anonymous
It’s wild to think about, but it also says a lot about the compromises some women feel they have to make. It’s hard to tell if love, habit, or a sense of duty drives their decisions. (But hey, maybe she just values hygiene and self-care — nothing wrong with getting a bikini wax, even if it’s at her husband’s suggestion!)
5. “I’m a younger Gen Z, and it would probably be how older women just shrug and move on when facing obstacles like their periods.”—kitkat_di_angelo
Older women probably learned to tough it out because they didn’t have as many options or open conversations about these things back then. It’s inspiring, though — resilience at its finest.
6. “The meddling in their children’s love lives. I know many women who have done a lot of damage to their children’s relationships, even broken them up, by giving too much unsolicited advice.” —Anonymous
This one’s tricky. It’s likely rooted in love and fear — they definitely want the best for their kids, but their “best” might not always align with their children’s choices. Finding the balance isn’t always easy.
7. “Why do [older women] constantly refuse help? My grandma could literally be about to trip on a stair or something and will not let me help at all.” —jaleeah67
“Pride, [and] not wanting to feel like a burden or that you’re getting older… [There are] many reasons to refuse help.” —runningwithscissors2343
That makes sense. Accepting help can sometimes feel like admitting vulnerability, which is tough when you’ve spent a lifetime being the helper.
8. “Why are [older women] so angry all the time? It feels like it takes so much energy to keep that level of anger and hatred up.” —courtnie1
“We are angry because we have become invisible. Our years of education and experience count for nothing since we have grey hair, thick waistlines, and faces creased by time.” —nastytoaster543
This is honestly heartbreaking yet eye-opening. That anger might be less about hatred and more about frustration from being overlooked and undervalued in a world that worships youth.
9. “This doesn’t apply to all older women, but why are so many of them complicit in their own oppression? Many older, conservative women I know are okay with and even approve of keeping women in the kitchen [and] preventing women’s career advances.” —obsessedaragornfan
It’s tough to understand, but this might come from growing up when those old-school beliefs were more widely accepted. Change can be hard, especially when it challenges what you’ve believed in your whole life.
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10. “My loves, please know that the first stereotype that comes into your head when you think about ‘older women’ is simply your biggest fear about what you might grow up into. You don’t have to end up like any woman you have ever met.” —violetbaudelairegt
This hits hard but is also a good reminder that we get to decide who we want to be. Stereotypes won’t define us unless we let them.
Gen Z’s thoughts remind us that every generation has its quirks. It’s time we listen, laugh, and try to understand each other better.