The Younger Generation

You know, every generation gets to the point where they become old enough to start questioning the generations that are coming up after them. Their views, their beliefs, the way they do things, their hair, their clothing, their music…My parents’ generation, for example, came of age in the 1940s and listened to the music of the big band era and singers like Frank Sinatra. When Rock and Roll came around in the 1950s, they were getting married and having kids, so naturally their priorities were changing. Plus the new music was something that no one had ever heard before, and it had the kids dancing and acting in a way they’d never seen before. Then came the 1960s, which introduced the psychedelic era of music, along with protests about racial unrest and the anti-Vietnam war movement. The kids of the 50s, who were now coming to their age of consciousness in the 60s, were responding very differently to social issues than their parents had. They were paying attention to the world around them and finding voices their parents never had. Or – that they just didn’t know how to use. Back in the days immediately following the end of World War 2, America was experiencing a boom in prosperity the likes of which had pretty much never been seen before. It was the world of Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver, and kids didn’t buck authority, let alone argue or disagree with their parents. Rock and Roll music, for instance, brought out feelings of euphoria and the opportunity for kids to totally let go while having fun. Parents like mine didn’t know what to think. Kids started dressing differently and wearing their hair differently. It was their way of “rebelling” against their parents’ generation and everything that they stood for. Honestly, this is the way it’s supposed to be. Kids have always questioned their parents and previous generations – what they believed and how they did things. It’s part of growing up – and growing into – the person you ultimately become. Always questioning, always searching – but also, if you do it “right” – also always ever-changing and growing. There are always different ways of doing things, and part of the rebellion is the experimentation. Testing things out to see if there’s a better way. But hopefully also coming to a place where you can discuss your differences with the older generation and have meaningful conversations to try and maybe come to a mutual understanding. That takes maturity, and age doesn’t always necessarily translate into maturity. I am at the age now (well, a little bit past it actually) where I am looking at the generations behind me – particularly the one that is college age and questioning the world around them – and I don’t understand a great majority of the way they think. In some cases, the way I feel they DON’T think – don’t use their brains for critical thinking, but rather go along with everything they see and hear and are told – and they don’t question. They just regurgitate the same things they are spoon-fed, over and over again. I think to myself, “Yeah – I was young and stupid once too.” What I don’t like is that I feel like I am seeing a total disregard for an alternate way of thinking and no attempt to even try and see the other side. I see petulance and sarcasm and degradation and a know-it-all attitude. And I want to say, “Okay, so you think you have all the answers over me, even though I have experienced life more than you have.” I suppose maybe I had that attitude too when I was that age. The thing is, regardless of how I felt and what I thought at that age, I still believe that I was never disrespectful. I see a lot of that too. I didn’t go to college, but yet have college-age kids and those who are just past that stage of their lives talking to me like I’m an idiot. The phrase “Okay, Boomer” says it all. I had the very recent experience of having a young person preach to me about a current event but didn’t want to hear my side of it. I might not have that college degree hanging on my wall, but I have common sense. And isn’t it funny how you could talk to me like I don’t know anything, and yet when you couldn’t figure out how to do something, you had to “humble yourself down to my level” to ask for my help with something. “Okay, Boomer – Wow, you really DO know something that I don’t know, and I can actually LEARN from you!” Yes, that’s correct – I am a Baby Boomer, and damn proud of it too. And in some cases, I will wipe the floor with your smug, cocky, know-it-all little ass. We can both actually learn from each other, but it comes with give and take. But please – lose the sarcasm and the self-righteous attitude. Open up your eyes and ears. Don’t think that everything you see is all there is. Think for yourself. Question EVERYTHING. But also remember: I am not your mommy and daddy who never told you NO and gave you everything you wanted because they didn’t want to hurt your feelings. When you get out into the real world, that way of thinking will color everything you do and say – and you are going to find out that you will not always be right. None of us are. But learn to have a conversation with the older generation without looking down on them. They’re not as stupid as you might think.