Community Chat

[chrystaltree]

I agree, it changes as we age.  At 56, I think "old" is 75.  At 40, I thought it was 65.   At 40, I couldn't imagine working past 65 and now I cannot imagine retiring when I am "only 65".  It's all relative.

[SilleeMee]

---

@KathyM23 wrote:

Why is it called The Silent Generation?  Just curious - I'm a member and sure don't remember being Silent.  Does anyone know where the name came from?

---

I found this description @KathyM23:

"Why Is it Called the Silent Generation?

In 1951, a Time magazine article was written in which the children of the generation were described as unimaginative, withdrawn, unadventurous, and cautious. Time magazine used the name 'Silent Generation' to refer to these individuals. The name has been there ever since."

I had to edit out some of that article because of the nature of its contents.

[jubilant]

If you go by the Dictionary (as old meaning "being advanced in years") I guess you could go by what age you are now and what the life expectancy is now.

[Cakers3]

---

@millieshops wrote:

@ImaoldhippieNothing wrong with the article -  as long as we readers keep in mind it's just reporting a survey of a particular group of people.

No survey speaks for individuals -  we're talking people, not machines, so there will always be outliers in any category.

I am, although my friends and probably some here will disagree, a member of the Silent Generation!  What makes me feel old is not often how I look in the mirror -  it's losing the people who have been a part of my life for years and years.  Right now there's a macabre contest in my mind for who will be #3 just this summer, not a contest I want anyone to win.

---

@millieshopsThat can be very heartbreaking and I'm sorry. 

[Cakers3]

Speaking only for myself (and actually for DH, too) our age really began to be recognized by us once all parents had passed away.  For me, it was earlier than DH but it left us knowing we are now the oldest in the family (as far as our kids and grandkids) and that we are at the head of the class now. 

It is truly wonderful sometimes to see how our perceptions, wants vs. needs, how we disregard what just doesn't matter, and how we have learned to live life as best as we can.

Granted, these life lessons are continuous and start even as we are young, but they are more subtle and not so recognized as they are as we age.

This article is an interesting read but only an interesting read.  I'm pretty sure most of us have had similar perceptions of what constitutes old age during our early years, too.  The numbers have veered slightly but I don't think all that much.

[millieshops]

@Cakers3  Thank you.  I know loss is a part of life, but you're right it's a hard part of our lives.  It helps me when I remind myself that grieving is often grieving for how my life will be changed rather than for the person themselves.  Certainly for both of the friends I lost this month, monumental struggles have ended.  I know that.  Still, I'm happy to see July fading!

[KathyM23]

@SilleeMee

Thanks, after your explanation  I went to google and read some.  I can now see why the name.   At first I was thinking the Roaring Twenties, etc. but those of us born during the Silent Age were too young for that and not old enough for swing and boogie woogie and Second World War.  Funny, I sure never felt Silent!  I always thought of myself as a baby boomer - beginning of Rock and Roll and all the changes in the Sixties.  I was born at the extreme end of the silent generation, so I still think of myself as a Baby Boomer.  I'm much more exciting than the Silent Generation! 

[KathyM23]

@lolakimono @Imaoldhippie@

Thanks lolak,I too enjoyed this post. don't agree it was a waste of time.  I learned alot and enjoyed the survey and the poster's answers.  You alway have such interesting topics.

[blackhole99]

I am a Boomer and we like to consider ourselves forever young, just look at the old rock and rollers. I personally think if you are 65 you are old, no matter how well preserved you think you are. Operative word being "think" . LOL

[SilleeMee]

I wonder how the Millennials will deal with growing old? Heck, some of the older ones are already using anti-aging creams, potions, Botox and others. I thought I was bad.