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Youth is not making the scene the way it used to. It has been said that baby boomers will redefine the concept and process of aging. America is growing older. “ Gerontology, the science of aging, is a booming field because so many of us are outlasting the biblical span of “three score and ten”. So writes James Chappel, author of “Golden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age.”
Our population is aging. This not only brings challenges to the elderly, but to their spouses, siblings and children. In the not too distant past, older people were viewed as frail, feeble, financially strained and not contributing to society—straining the country’s impoverished safety net.
But key findings show that many Americans now see aging as a time of growth and reinvention. What was once a distinct stage of life has evolved over time. So it’s no wonder that aging has become a major issue in what was once one of the youngest countries in the world.
To illustrate: past generations of millions of Americans watched as early TV, In the 1950s, portrayed older people as looking and acting like Fred and Ethel Mertz of the “I Love Lucy” show. Then there was the lovable oldster, Uncle David, of the original “The Goldbergs”show who was portrayed as mild and sweet tempered, but doddering and hard of hearing.
Over time, these portrayals evolved, and in the 70s and 80s we had shows like “All in the Family”with the irascible—usually wrong, but never in doubt—Archie Bunker character. It broke ground by bringing challenging and complex issues to the mainstream. Later, the randy older women of the “Golden Girls”set the stage for highly spirited and more vigorous seniors. We also had the capable and keen mind of the Jessica Fletcher character in “Murder She Wrote”, who outsmarts the town’s sheriff and other lead male investigators, with her perceptive crime solving
Even the sensitive topic of sex for senior men and women got a makeover, but here a certain reluctance to delve too deeply prevails. Concerning the explosive Kinsey Report, Mr. Chappel writes, “while its authors broke almost every taboo on the subject, they left this one unexplored, despite provocative data about the continued sexual appetite of older women.”
Fast forward to 2025 — we now have the Granfluencers. They are tech savvy older people making big money on TikTok and Instagram with their videos. I’ve only seen snippets of their videos, not being a fan of social media, but it’s reportedly fun to see them killing it on TikTok with millions of followers, and breaking old barriers. One of the most popular Granfluencers, Baddie Winkle, boasts in her slogan—“been stealing your man since 1928.”
Meanwhile, the aches, pains and memory losses that come with age are hard to accept, but the benefits of aging are available to all of us. Older people are able to control their emotions better—and to focus on how to get the most out of life. With aging, we gain better self acceptance of ourselves and others; along with a desire to connect more with others; and to use our life experiences to help us make smarter decisions.
Last, but not least, there is gratitude. I’ve become increasingly grateful for everything. I’ve become more effusive in my interactions with others; and I tell them how much I appreciate their qualities while I’m still here and glad to be alive.
the last batch of baby boomers(1946-1964) will turn 65 in just five years. The generation that coined the phrase. “Don’t trust anyone over 30” has a lot of rethinking to do
My husband shared this article from the Economist with me recently: https://www.economist.com/international/2025/01/02/why-people-over-the-age-of-55-are-the-new-problem-generation
It’s behind a paywall, but the gist is that Baby Boomers are getting into all kinds of mischief. I’m not easily shocked at my age, but I was gasping at some of the stats (about things like sexually transmitted diseases and so forth). The article said, well, yeah, this is the generation that inhabited the phrase “sex, drugs, and rock and roll.” Of course they’re re-inventing aging.
We realized that maybe we were surprised by this because we’re younger Boomers (born 1960). We were in elementary school when Woodstock happened. Birth control, more sexual freedom—we were still too young to “embrace” that. By the time we hit college in the late 70s, it didn’t all seem so revolutionary.
Thanks for your giving us your thoughts, Dana.
your perspectives are always interesting.
And thanks for the link—will read.
Thanks, Marjorie, for describing so well the pleasures and benefits of reaching this stage of our lives. It’s only a few more months until my grandson heads off to college (or a job and home of his own if he suddenly switches gears). Though we have definitely had our ups and downs these past six years, being an older “parent” meant less energy but also greater maturity, as you described, to deal with the inevitable emotions. I haven’t always been successful on that score, but I will always be grateful for the trust his parents placed in me, being given an important job to do, and the excitement now as the college acceptances are arriving. I know that I’ve helped get him to this point. Thanks to everyone here at HD who has helped me beyond measure with so many important financial and life decisions. My kids all know you as my Humble Dollar Virtual Friends.
I have heard that raising grandchildren, while challenging, can be incredibly rewarding and allow you to experience a much greater connection to your grandchild’s world. You may also find yourself rejuvenated by your grandson’s company.
Kudos to you, Linda, for providing a nurturing home environment in which your grandson can grow and feel loved.
Linda: I’d love to read longer Forum post from you about what it’s been like to raise a teenager later in life. It sounds like a daunting undertaking!
After having several tax clients raising grandkids I can say that their stories are always interesting, in both good and sad ways.
Dan, Im sure that as a tax preparer you’ve had the opportunity to help many grandparents, because of the financial difficulties of being in that position.
It has been! Thanks for your encouragement (and from Marjorie, too, a while back). I’ll think about it. One thing I’ll share now is that the financial aspect was no burden – PA has been generous with free dental and health insurance, lunches at school and even food debit cards when school is not in session, no questions asked. I think PA doesn’t need to know the circumstances, just that the child is domiciled with a grandparent.
All six of us born in 1943 would be happy to be 70 again.
Dick, You’re living proof that biological age can bear little resemblance to chronological age. I never used to think so, but age really is just a number.
Keep on posting.
Great article. What I loved about getting older is that it’s so much easier to say ‘no’. And I especially love that I don’t have to be with people to be happy. A good book with my dog beside me and the fire on-heaven.
Kim, yes, saying “no” is so important. Anytime we say no we are also saying yes to another dynamic. Enjoy your book.
Kim.
We are clearly kindred spirits.
Kristine
Kim, sometimes it’s hard work to be confident within ourselves but you painted a picture of someone who is comfortable in their own skin.
Thanks for your comments.
I’m in the last batch!
Randy, the last batch is often the best. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I’ve always felt like the youngest in the room. Born in 1962, I’m at the end of the Baby Boomer cohort. I’m also the youngest of the cousins on both sides of my family. Here on HD, I haven’t yet joined the retirement party. But by the time I’m your age, Marjorie, the Boomer influence will be just a memory. What’s in my future? I’ll be the lone grandpa surrounded by a bunch of kids. I’ll finally have a little elbow room, and tell the stories the way I recollect them. I hope they listen 🙂
Ed, you won’t be the lone grandpa, you’ll be the most loved grandpa.
You may not feel you’ve joined the retirement party at HD but you are an integral part of all it embodies. Thanks for commenting.
“Last but not least, there is gratitude.”
Agreed! Hanging on my wall for decades, reminding me every day, has been a calligraphic rendering of the first lines of the poem “Gratefulnesse” by George Herbert (d. 1633) with “me” changed to “us”:
“Thou hast given so much to us
Give one thing more
A grateful heart.”
IPF, Thank you for the link to this meaningful prose. Many people get a great deal of enjoyment out of life having very little and many people get very little enjoyment out of having a lot. People who are grateful feel better about their lives and are more optimistic. Feeling grateful for what we have in life is the most powerful way to experience happiness. You found the key.
Interesting thoughts, Marjorie. Who would have thought in 1975 that fifty years later there would be so many of the same—now 80-something—rock stars (Jagger, McCartney, Simon, et. al.) still playing their tunes? Coincidentally, the next book I have reserved from my local library is ‘Successful Aging’ by Daniel Levitin. Thanks for your post.
I saw U2, Springsteen, and the Eagles in concert last year. The latter two are well into their 70s; I think Bono is in his early 60s (so a late Boomer). It is amazing to think of putting out all that energy on stage and still being good at it at such an advanced age. Kind of inspiring, really.
How do they keep it up? They must save all their energy for the stage. One things for sure, you can’t argue with success.
Thanks for commenting, Dana.
For two people who seemingly avoided a healthy lifestyle, it is amazing that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, now in their 80s, are still performing. It seems they did achieve “Satisfaction”.
Thanks for your comments,Ken. Keep on rocking.
I heard their new release is “I can’t get no circulation “ 😁
“Last but not least there is gratitude…” What a great paragraph Marjorie, I could not agree more.
This was a fun read, now I’m off to check out Baddie Winkle.
I neglected to say Baddie Winkle is somewhere in her 90s. Amazing.
Thanks for your comments, Dan. They always make me smile.😊
I would dearly love to have the time and physical capabilities that I had decades ago. But as you suggest, Marjorie, I’m also grateful for the perspective that I have today, and I have no desire to be age 30 or 40 again.
To be 30 or 40 again means I’d still be working! To he** with that! 🙂
Thank you for your sage comments, Jonathan.
Although you have no desire to be 30 or 40 again, I wish you another 30 or 40 years to use all the wonderful talents you’ve been given.
You make this world a much better place.