Posted on 02/27/2011 3:03:31 AM PST by Scanian
Baby Boomers are having a hard time. Not just with the economy, or the health issues that crop up in your 50s and 60s, or even getting caught between taking care of our aging parents and unemployed kids.
No, I’m talking about the fact that many Boomers, of which I am one, do not want to grow up.
Those of us born in the Baby Boomer period, between 1946 and 1964, range in age from 47 to 65. We are either on the young side of old, or we’re just a hop, skip and hopefully not a fall into 70.
I don’t know that we mind growing up, but many of us don’t want to grow old. But certain Boomer minds have somehow merged the two. In order not to grow old, they have taken the position that they will simply not grow up.
You see it in the absurd notion put forward by journalists and advertisers — “50 is the new 30.” “60 is the new 40.” We buck each other up by dressing and behaving like it’s true, as though if we repeat it enough we will actually make it so.
And because we are Boomers and have been at the forefront of so many innovations, from rock ’n’ roll to the computer, some have this misguided impulse to act hip. Have you ever seen so many 50-year-olds dressed like teenagers? In my grandfather’s and even my father’s era, grown men did not wear sneakers, shorts, T-shirts and caps unless they were actually involved in an athletic activity. Grown men did not go to work looking like they were headed for sleep-away camp.
My grandfather dressed in slacks and a shirt and sensible shoes and a suit every day for work.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
But some of us are kind, decent, and thoughtful individuals who would take umbrage at your statement.
I agree with that especially folks on this site like yourself.
So true.
Women clamoring for their “lifestyle lifts”, spending thousands on plastic surgery—worse, wearing horrendously leotard tight and low cut clothing over ugly bodies, exposing every unsightly bulge to our pained eyes. Women have really traded their dignity away these days with their fashion choices..they actually believe this stuff makes them look SEXY?? More like pathetic.
Then they are the males desperately clinging to Cialis,Viagra, you name it (My God, how many times must we hear about the hazards of 4 hour erections while the family shares TV watching—with an off the scale obsession (perfectly normal as we age), of the dreaded flaccid penis?
Then there is the accessory it seems increasing numbers of 50-60 yr old males MUST have: a multi-thousand dollar HARLEY in order to be right with the world. Makes them look like a caricature.
Unless they’ve got Donald Trump’s billions, do they really think this ‘bike’ makes them irresistable to that nubile 25 year old? More like a completely clueless, desparate old man.
I chalk much of this up to the hyper sexualizing of this culture...completely devoid of honor bestowed to those that have lived courageously, selflessly, provided invention and improvement and acted as inspirational models of success for others—it seems you’re only as good as how sexually desirable you are—tough to do as we move toward our 5th, 6th and 7th decades.
Really an unhealthy situation when we are manipulated to believe our prime value attributes are youth and sexual attractiveness. Beyond that, we vanish. This has not been historically true,it is a abberation of this era.
It’s the vampire merchandiser’s fault. Follow the money, honey.
The only change I would make on my post is to say “Most” instead of make it a large blanket. Obviously folks on this site are not typical Baby Boomers.
Don’t get me wrong. Gen X? It would be great if we could skip them entirely.
Lol. Although funny. I would love to see the reasons. Generation X is more conservative than the Boomers (not 100 percent).
Wow...you don’t live in Florida, do you?
What you describe-—especially the decrepit bodies-—is all to common around here.
Yep you got it. Spending 20 years in the Navy was all about “ME ME ME”. 1960 Late Boomer.
Typical kid. Thinks they know everything about everything. LOL
Obviously wants to be noticed too.
Oh to be young again. It was nice to know it all, be perfect in very way and blame others for my failings. But alas! Age has mellowed me that my eyes can see my own failings and understand the failings of others.
Don't age any more than what you are right now; some of the golden folks are traumatized to discover, that when it comes down to it, we are all pretty much the same.
While millions die of cancer...it is despicable. Never a more useless, disgusting group of people have ever existed than to spend ONE DIME researching and advertising this garbage while people truly suffer.
It's wrong to broadbrush entire generations. Just wouldn't be accurate, since every generation is made up of individuals.
For example, it would be wrong of me to characterize all gen x'ers as arrogant know-it-alls based solely on your post.
NEWS FLASH FOR TRACEY: This ain't your grandfather’s or even your father’s era. Put a sphincter on it.
Yep. I think the typical Baby Boomers and Gen. X’ers are over on DU.
I remember being 30 and on the beach and trying not to look at the elderly with their lumps and sags and varicosities. But you know, when you are the one who is no longer young and firm and hot, you still want to swim and sit on the sand and watch the ocean and you really want to wear a bathing suit for those activities.
I’m older than the Boomers, but I am married to one. He is not at all the caricature being ranted on about on this thread and neither are my Boomer friends. No one chose their generation, either.
Everyone needs to lighten up, IMO.
“Grown men did not go to work looking like they were headed for sleep-away camp.”
Nor did they wear backpacks...
EV,
You always know how to “get me”.....lol. You are right.
I work at a 150 yr old facility where there are pictures of the “staff” from the 1890’s and early 1900’s. There is not ONE person among the group with gray hair. I asked my coworkers “Why are there no old people in these pics?” He didn’t know so I told him life expectancy in those days was in the 50’s. Modern medicine has moved the life expectancy today to near 80, so you see a lot more old folks doing stuff they never used to.
Sorry, it sounds like you had a tough childhood but please don't blame all Boomers.
The other thing is stereotyping people by groups. Pure idiocy. Also known as generational warfare. The left does it well and quite a few idiots fall for it. It makes it easier to kill Grandma under Obamacare. After all, she caused all the world's ills.
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