Our Grandchildren's Generation - Back to the Future?

[Route246]

I grew up on a farm, So did DW. Our parents darn near starved in the great depression, then went on to a better job when they were in the service during WW 2 and Korea. During the 60's and 70's I was always happy to be fed and sleep inside. I watched my older friends go off and fight in Viet Nam. They all made it home. I just missed it by a few years. I didn't get to go to college, no money. I went to work, my standard of living was the same til I bought a house with central air when I was 30. 1995.

After I found steady work, I saved half my income for 30 years and here I am. My standard of living is the same, but I can quietly help others now and not worry about paying my own bills. I am fortunate. Neighbors around me think I am poor...

This is what I describe as a life well lived. Neighbors thinking you are poor is a good thing. While our neighbors certainly don't think we are poor they have no clue how much we actually have. It is a good way to live. I spent my entire working life worrying about losing my job and not being able to pay basic expenses. Only in the past few years have I come to the realization that I am truly FI. It is a long transition to come to terms with that. I also have no interest in stepping up our standard of living as I am quite satisfied with how it has progressed.

 

[marko]

Our school had a fairly successful athletics department and won a couple of championships while I was attending.

The kids I felt sorry for were the "stars" (football, basketball, baseball) as High School was the end of their c@reers. Chances of going beyond HS in your chosen sport were exceedingly slim to none.

+1. My dad always said the same thing. He felt that you should aim to reach that high point and admiration around age 35.

I had won an important/notable sailing race when I was 13. Talk of the area. He worked hard to make sure I understood not to get too wound up in it.

Springsteen "Glory Days" All he could keep talking about...glory days.

 

[pacergal]

Mental Health was not diagnosed/addressed as much in the 50's-60's as it is now. Plus it is also in media way more than it used to be.
Psychiatrists were primarily in hospitals that I was aware of growing up.
"Quirks" back then could be diagnosed conditions now if you sought treatment:
someone who was what we called "hyper"= ADHD
a "perfectionist"=OCD
"nervous"=Anxiety
"quiet/shy/withdrawn"=Depression.

I had an Aunt who "went to live in a special place" for a few months (had a"nervous breakdown").
We had one classmate die of suicide.

As a nurse, I know good Mental health is vital, but not all 'quirks" are bad, need medication, or society labels. Sometimes it seems there becomes a diagnosis of the month, both mental and physical.

 

[marko]

Mental Health was not diagnosed/addressed as much in the 50's-60's as it is now. Plus it is also in media way more than it used to be.
Psychiatrists were primarily in hospitals that I was aware of growing up.
"Quirks" back then could be diagnosed conditions now if you sought treatment:
someone who was what we called "hyper"= ADHD
a "perfectionist"=OCD
"nervous"=Anxiety
"quiet/shy/withdrawn"=Depression.

I had an Aunt who "went to live in a special place" for a few months (had a"nervous breakdown").
We had one classmate die of suicide.

As a nurse, I know good Mental health is vital, but not all 'quirks" are bad, need medication, or society labels. Sometimes it seems there becomes a diagnosis of the month, both mental and physical.

If you have enough money they just label you "eccentric", which seriously, can mask some major concerns.

 

[GrayHare]

He said where he grew up you just learned to survive or not, no real choices other than those two.

The same might be true within social media. Either youngsters survive there or do not. I have talked with a few insightful teens about the negatives of social media, and all of them have shrugged off those concerns. Difficult to know for sure if they are truly becoming tougher as a generation on average or are just in denial.

 

[frayne]

Don’t you think every age group of every generation faces its own unique set of issues? Speaking of suicide, I read that males over sixty make up the largest group. So there’s that.

 

[aja8888]

Don’t you think every age group of every generation faces its own unique set of issues? Speaking of suicide, I read that males over sixty make up the largest group. So there’s that.

I thought about it several years ago, but I am too old now.

 

[HFWR]

I prefer suicide by vice.

I do “worry” about the world my grandson will inherit.

 

[aja8888]

I prefer suicide by vice.

I do “worry” about the world my grandson will inherit.

Fortunately, I have no grandkids to worry about.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I don't think there is a difference in the statistics. It's the internet that has gotten us aware of current news and stats.

 

[Koolau]

I don't think there is a difference in the statistics. It's the internet that has gotten us aware of current news and stats.

I'm sure there is some amplification of the statistics by the internet, but the real influence of the internet seems to be things like bullying and social comparison among young people.

 

[street]

I think there is more social acceptance and more stress on the young these day compared to when the era we grew up in. Parents have busier lives and way too many other things that take their time away from their family.
I do believe it all starts at the home to instill that solid foundation. With that said, there still is not saying one go can down that dark road. I do believe it helps though.

Growing up as a very young person I know two that took their lives, and one was saved. These all were in a very small community,

I believe depression has been an issue through all the early years, but we hear so much more about the problem today.

 

[sparky08]

Almost 30% of my highly privileged high school graduating class (1970) were dead before their 35th birthday. A few more might as well be. There were only 74 of us.

Reading this, it reminded me of the movie "The Breakfast Club". (An 80's movie about Saturday detention at a wealthy high school). There was a jock, a princess, a burnout, and a math geek. It was fiction, but I wonder what became of those kids

I grew up in a mill town. A lot of kids dropped out to work in the mill. The graduating class was maybe 70% of the freshman class size. There was a lot of alcoholism and smoking pot. Some, including me, left as soon as we could.

If some kids were struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, it was kept hidden outside of the family.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I think there is more social acceptance and more stress on the young these day compared to when the era we grew up in. Parents have busier lives and way too many other things that take their time away from their family.
I do believe it all starts at the home to instill that solid foundation. With that said, there still is not saying one go can down that dark road. I do believe it helps though.

Growing up as a very young person I know two that took their lives, and one was saved. These all were in a very small community,

I believe depression has been an issue through all the early years, but we hear so much more about the problem today.

Street, so sorry to hear of the loss of these people you
knew.

Depression is no joke. I have lost more friends and people I know than I can count on both hands. All but one had more money than they could spend, most had a great family and friends. Two were doctors, many more were farmers and successful business people. Some diagnosed with incurable disease. I don't know one that took their life because they were broke or because of financial failure. Most were loaded. I can count 11 men and only one woman.

A couple years ago I was diagnosed with a physical disease (PMR). Hurts like hell. The first thing the doctor did was get me checked out with a phycological test. I told him "Doc, I hurt all over but my head is OK" He explained to me that certain physical diseases (PMR) send chemicals to your brain that you're dying. This doctor is a farm kid like me. He said "did you ever have a dog that went out to the woods when he knew he was dying" I said, "sure, everybody has". He said that the body sends these signals to the brain. "Same thing you have." It made me think again.

Mental illness is the same as physical illness. Respect it and treat it.

I am much more aware of it now and will do my best to intervene, even if I'm not wanted.

 

[Koolau]

Street, so sorry to hear of the loss of these people you
knew.

Depression is no joke. I have lost more friends and people I know than I can count on both hands. All but one had more money than they could spend, most had a great family and friends. Two were doctors, many more were farmers and successful business people. Some diagnosed with incurable disease. I don't know one that took their life because they were broke or because of financial failure. Most were loaded. I can count 11 men and only one woman.

A couple years ago I was diagnosed with a physical disease (PMR). Hurts like hell. The first thing the doctor did was get me checked out with a phycological test. I told him "Doc, I hurt all over but my head is OK" He explained to me that certain physical diseases (PMR) send chemicals to your brain that you're dying. This doctor is a farm kid like me. He said "did you ever have a dog that went out to the woods when he knew he was dying" I said, "sure, everybody has". He said that the body sends these signals to the brain. "Same thing you have." It made me think again.

Mental illness is the same as physical illness. Respect it and treat it.

I am much more aware of it now and will do my best to intervene, even if I'm not wanted.

Stormy, I'm so sorry to hear of your PMR diagnosis. Blessings.

 

[ponyboy]

Like most already said, social media plays a big part of all the madness. Especially from a bullying standpoint. Kids used to get bullied for some brief time during a school day. Now, it's 24/7. It's just done electronically with more eyes on.

Also, always comparing yourself to others through social media. I guess it affects young girls much worse.

 

[Dtail]

Agree with the social media aspect. It is also so much easier to see how the very wealthy live and there can be resentment or just the thoughts that I will never get to that level, so why try?
Lamborghini lifestyle or bust.