The generational fight of millennials and Gen Z vs. baby boomers gain more prominence in social media with the phrase “OK boomer,” but now there’s another generational fight brewing in the depths of Twitter. This time it includes another generation that was rarely mentioned in this type of online war.
Gen Z is now calling Gen X the “Karen generation” because they are usually racist, homophobic, anti-vaxxers, and climate change deniers.
The term Karen is a representation of the stereotypical middle-aged, white mom who is always asking for a manager, is homophobic and transphobic, BuzzFeed reports.
The stereotype sprung from the misunderstanding between the two generations. Gen Z has been fighting for causes that are not important for Gen X such as climate change and gay rights.
“Especially in Norway, where the strike for climate change is going strong, you see parents mocking Greta Thunberg and the other young adults participating because they themselves are not willing to change how they live their lives,” Julia, a 23-year-old from Norway told BuzzFeed.
The battleground for this war is Twitter, where many Gen Z’ers have tweeted about Gen X’ers’ new nickname.
Millennials watching Gen Z calling Gen X "The Karen Generation": THE SPICE FUCKING FLOWS pic.twitter.com/pKTnsmCOHo
— Q : Trash Wizard (@fleetwoodblacq) November 15, 2019
Gen X: we’re the ignored generation; everyone is fighting and no one even notices us 🙁
Gen Z: okay karens.
Gen X: no not like that— CEB (@caitlinmcqulity) November 14, 2019
Don’t get this new generational war wrong, baby boomers are still getting a lot of heat from Gen Z’ers. The thing is that Gen X’ers are the parents of Gen Z’ers, who are mostly in their teens and are rebellious.
But the name Karen seems to be very fitting for the Gen X’ers since the name spiked in popularity in early 1960s, according to the Social Security Administration.
It is not sure if Gen Z is seriously going after baby boomers and Gen X. There are people who have taken the generational wars as a good joke, but there are others who haven’t.
Gen X is the Karen Generation and I can honestly say I’m here for it
— Majesty (@BMvjesty) November 15, 2019
I am so SICK of boomers saying shit like “a kid should never think of doing that” when a kid commits suicide. listen Karen, our generation’s mental health is at a record breaking LOW. and YOU do not help by degrading us for feeling these emotions! so sorry but go fck yourself.
— dan🌦 (@danielle_armey) November 8, 2019
Idk why I get defensive about it but I hate when ppl generalize our generation by saying things like “all you kids do is play on your phones, it’s just sad” …well sorry all you do is bitch about the weather & engage in small town drama Karen
— Caitlyn Leisner (@caitleisner) October 15, 2019
Many people have expressed through social media that Gen X are the ones who yell at customer service employees and really don’t care about the planet or anyone. Technically, Gen X’ers are cynical about everything Gen Z’ers care about.
“They’re generally our parents, the ones who invalidate the LGBT community or (basically any) issues in the world today,” Hailee Wong, 17, from San Diego told BuzzFeed.
The prevalent sentiment is that baby boomers are not the only ones responsible for starting trouble and invalidating what Gen Z’ers stand for, Gen X’ers also need to share the blame because they start trouble too.
Although generational feuding has always happened in human history, this particular one, to the dismay of Gen Z, is gender-biased. The stereotype is sexist and once again places women as the overly-dramatic ones.
“It’s so normal to use female names if you want to create a nagging narrative, as men are never seen as such,” Julia told BuzzFeed.
