When we were raised shaped our behavior in ways I hadn’t previously considered, understanding that connection allows me to acknowledge and adapt a bit more easily. Any thoughts?
To me the most beneficial of these strengths is being content with “enough.” I grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis where the unspoken ideology was to live life in a way that allows you to accumulate the most and best of everything. There was a never ending competition about what was the best car, restaurant, movie, house, and everything. In my early 20’s I was fortunate to live on a commune in rural Arkansas, where that competition ideology was replaced with an appreciation of what a group of people could do if they worked together - like grow all of our own food, build our own houses, raise and love animals, and entertain each other with art and music. I learned the meaning of “enough.”
In our society we have many medical problems and so much inequality because so few people understand the meaning of “enough.”
1949 was my year. Our evolution is never ending. Iam grateful for the gift of self reliance, patience, and self worth. We are all shaped by our times. 👍
I think this analysis is spot-on, Janice. I see my son (b. 1963) in the descriptors. I am sending your article to him to hear his comments, also sending to a friend who raised a boy in the 60s to see her opinion. Thank you for this. Always worth reading. I find a new thought every time I read your posts.
Thank you for being able to make it so simple. Now I know why I find my son to be so different than the way he was raised. There is never enough. What I find as a quality it is not good enough. He must have the best. It is disgusting. I could never be clear where he became entitled to anything he wanted. I didn’t have it as a child nor was he raised that way. We never could have imagined the money that floats as pocket change. He does work very hard and so does his wife. I just wished they could understand this is not the way of a balanced life.
Hi Susan, I almost had to write the article because it never occurred to me that the times we were raised in would give us mental strength that can't be gained in the same way today.
You would love the book Generations by Jean Twenge, PhD. She believes Society has always thought that major events shape generations incorrectly. Dr. Twenge’s thesis is technology changes influence generations more than events. For example: my time — 1946-1985 — home appliances became easily available. People could live alone; women pursued careers and leisure time increased. You can also see her on YouTube. Fascinating.
When we were raised shaped our behavior in ways I hadn’t previously considered, understanding that connection allows me to acknowledge and adapt a bit more easily. Any thoughts?
To me the most beneficial of these strengths is being content with “enough.” I grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis where the unspoken ideology was to live life in a way that allows you to accumulate the most and best of everything. There was a never ending competition about what was the best car, restaurant, movie, house, and everything. In my early 20’s I was fortunate to live on a commune in rural Arkansas, where that competition ideology was replaced with an appreciation of what a group of people could do if they worked together - like grow all of our own food, build our own houses, raise and love animals, and entertain each other with art and music. I learned the meaning of “enough.”
In our society we have many medical problems and so much inequality because so few people understand the meaning of “enough.”
Hi Alan, this is so true.
1949 was my year. Our evolution is never ending. Iam grateful for the gift of self reliance, patience, and self worth. We are all shaped by our times. 👍
Hi, you make a good point. I, too, am grateful for the mental strength that my generation taught me.
Wish we could inject a little John Wayne into those who came after us.
I think this analysis is spot-on, Janice. I see my son (b. 1963) in the descriptors. I am sending your article to him to hear his comments, also sending to a friend who raised a boy in the 60s to see her opinion. Thank you for this. Always worth reading. I find a new thought every time I read your posts.
So true. Born in ‘59.
I appreciate your informative, down to earth newsletters Janice. A lot of us boomer kids never thought about being old, yet here we are….
It is wonderful to have this Substack connection that connects our age group to others and to society today. Merci.☺️
Hi Catherine, I sure know I didn't - there's more to it than I thought.
Well said! Now our challenge is to instill those traits in our children and grandchildren who came of age in a digital world.
That's so true, Gail.
Thank you for being able to make it so simple. Now I know why I find my son to be so different than the way he was raised. There is never enough. What I find as a quality it is not good enough. He must have the best. It is disgusting. I could never be clear where he became entitled to anything he wanted. I didn’t have it as a child nor was he raised that way. We never could have imagined the money that floats as pocket change. He does work very hard and so does his wife. I just wished they could understand this is not the way of a balanced life.
Hi Susan, I almost had to write the article because it never occurred to me that the times we were raised in would give us mental strength that can't be gained in the same way today.
You would love the book Generations by Jean Twenge, PhD. She believes Society has always thought that major events shape generations incorrectly. Dr. Twenge’s thesis is technology changes influence generations more than events. For example: my time — 1946-1985 — home appliances became easily available. People could live alone; women pursued careers and leisure time increased. You can also see her on YouTube. Fascinating.
Hi, Jan, I will check it out.
POTUS was reared during those periods. He indeed is an anomaly.
Hi Cheryl, I guess he didn't learn those values.