While my own dad is a literal boomer, I will give him credit that he is better than many of his generation. What I mean is that he actually seems to care to leave my siblings and I something down the line. Might be in large part that he rarely spends money (he lives like a college student even though he does not really need to).
But there is something important that I still keep in mind: I do not want to feel like I should depend on any inheritance for my financial well-being.
There is a point to be made about future generations not coasting on the money that they inherited, as this can lead to people becoming lazy and incompetent. But older generations should not take this to the extreme to the point that they leave nothing for their children or do not assist them financially at appropriate times. The perfect example of this is in the housing market.
Many homes have become very expensive. So expensive that some people cannot get a foot in the door to get their first house by their own power. Boomers who look down upon younger generations for not being able to get their own home should really reserve their judgement, as they are a part of the problem for why homes are so prohibitively expensive. After all, they like seeing their property values increase. So they vote to keep it that way, even at the expense of the younger generations.
How many boomers have brought up to their children the "I want to have grandchildren" conversation? If they do bring up this sort of thing, do they understand that buying a home is a major hurdle for those who want to start a family?
If they really, really want those grandchildren, they should be willing to pitch in their own finances to help get a house for their own children. Perhaps some do, but I do not think this is common.
I will not argue that this is going to necessarily solve birth rate issues (we need to remove feminism for that to be fixed), but this particular issue on its own. Helping the next generation to a point when the hurdles have become higher is the right thing to do.
Yes, you do not want to coddle your children and enable bad behavior, but there is a balance that can be found. That balance can be found making sure that your children can even have the chance to raise a family in their own homes.
@houseoftolstoy it's not a coincidence that it's your dad who cares about leaving a legacy and not your mom.
Now understand most people don't have fathers in their lives at all, and were raised by single mothers only.
@Tfmonkey More context, my parents are divorced. So there is no financial discussion about this sort of thing between the two of them. But yes, I really do not expect much in terms of inheritance from my mom/step-dad, as they do not exactly have that much of a nest egg.
But I am not dependent upon receiving any inheritance in order to make it financially. In fact, most people should live as if they are not getting any ever. Because for many, that will be true.