Generation Gaps

[Sodbuster]

These off-topic forums cultivate some seriously rich food for thought and I'd like to compliment everyones' takes on things for how I gain a wealth of insight from each post, bar none. A recent subject brought up music as a taste and a tool, and it got me to thinking about how I detested my folks' music, how they detested mine, how I detested my offspring's, and how I cared less what they thought of mine. I left home at an early age in the late 60's over long hair and now I rue long hair on a male of less than full maturity. I just got to wondering what eveybody else might hold as the best example of a generation gap in Hers/his life. Thanks in advance if You'd care to add Yours.

[seamusTX]

I think the most significant generation gap from the 1960s until now is racial tolerance. I remember black families being burned out when they moved into all-white neighborhoods. I remember the very common use of insulting racial and ethnic terms that have become socially unacceptable. I remember when having a "colored girl" on Star Trek in 1968 was controversial.

Now, the majority of people, most of the time, don't care.

Interracial marriage, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, and divorce used to be viewed as fates worse than death. Now they are generally accepted. (I have mixed feelings about how widespread divorce has become.)

Hair styles are the least of it. I remember when the Beatles arrived in the U.S. and were thought to have long hair, which would not earn a comment now. People of both sexes can wear their hair however they like, from crew-cut to spiked and painted.

Personally, I can barely tolerate extravagant or crude tattoos or body piercing.

- Jim

[Pinkycatcher]

Personally, I can barely tolerate extravagant or crude tattoos or body piercing.

- Jim

And people of my generation just find them unusual, not horrible. Stuff changes, now I do like my parent's music, generally (some exceptions).

[seamusTX]

I was talking to my wife about this and realized that there is a generation gap in the sense that the term originally meant.

Most of the people that I grew up with, in the 1960s and 70s, wanted to become adults. We wanted to have a job, a car, our own place to live, get married, and in many cases to have children. We did what it took to get there, whether it was going to college, joining the military, or getting into some business.

The few who did not, we considered losers. For all that people talk about hippies, there never were very many of them.

I see a lot of people today who are well into their 20s, who have never finished college or had a better-than-subsistence job, and don't seem to care.

I don't know what's going on there.

- Jim

[WildBill]

I was talking to my wife about this and realized that there is a generation gap in the sense that the term originally meant. - Jim

My father used to say that there was no such thing as the "generation gap." He preferred to call it the "reality gap."

When the students in the 60s who protested against "the establishment" finally graduated from school and suddenly had to earn a living, reality set in. Many went to work for the "big corporations" that they protested against, so that they could buy food and pay the rent.

[amber]

I see a lot of people today who are well into their 20s, who have never finished college or had a better-than-subsistence job, and don't seem to care.

I don't know what's going on there.

- Jim

Look at the government tax and spend under Bush. Adding up federal income tax, socal security, property taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes, saving taxes, sin taxes and everything else, they take half of what you earn above the subsistence level. Why work hard? If you work hard they punish you by taking half your pay above a modest amount. It makes more sense to work less and just make enough money to get by. You get to keep 100% of your extra free time but only 50% of your overtime pay. You don't have to be a college graduate to do that math.

[seamusTX]

I don't see it that way. I have a pretty good income, pay taxes, and have everything I really need. If I want a new toy, I can save for it.

If I can do another hour's work for more money, I do it. I don't get overtime at my main job, so I do a few side jobs.

Income tax rates are lower now than they were when I started working full-time in the 1970s. Social Security, Medicare, and property taxes are much higher, of course. But then our home appreciated almost 100% from when we bought it.

Maybe that's the generation gap right there.

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

I think the most significant generation gap from the 1960s until now is racial tolerance. I remember black families being burned out when they moved into all-white neighborhoods. I remember the very common use of insulting racial and ethnic terms that have become socially unacceptable. I remember when having a "colored girl" on Star Trek in 1968 was controversial. I remember when something said "Made in Japan or China" meant junk.

Now, the majority of people, most of the time, don't care.

Interracial marriage, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, and divorce used to be viewed as fates worse than death. Now they are generally accepted. (I have mixed feelings about how widespread divorce has become.)

Hair styles are the least of it. I remember when the Beatles arrived in the U.S. and were thought to have long hair, which would not earn a comment now. People of both sexes can wear their hair however they like, from crew-cut to spiked and painted.

Personally, I can barely tolerate extravagant or crude tattoos or body piercing.

- Jim

I remember "White" and "Colored" toilets, drinking fountains, seating, etc. I remember Viet Nam and Kent State and the troops coming home at night. I remember the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and remarking there goes our music - or something like that. It stunk then and it stinks now. I remember seeing the movie 'Man With A Golden Arm" and not knowing what it was about. There weren't widespread drugs in the '50's - were there? I saw men holding hands in San Francisco in 1969 & 70 but I don't remember same sex marriages.

I remember when there was a work ethic in this country. I don't fault the Hispanics for doing work that others are paid not to do - or think is below there station in life. Someone has to do it and more legitimate power to them.

I don't remember people walking around with their underwear showing or males holding up their pants with one hand while doing whatever with the other. Now, that's real class!

I remember when you didn't feel the need to carry a handgun shopping or to work or wherever. I also remember when kids addressed their elders as Mr. and Mrs. and "Please" and Thank You" were in vogue.

What's the biggest thing? I dunno', pick one.

[seamusTX]

I remember the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and remarking there goes our music - or something like that. It stunk then and it stinks now.

Can you clarify that? Did you think the Beatles' music stank, or the objections to it?

I liked the Beatles. Toward the end, they became somewhat noisy and lazy, IMHO. (I'm thinking of songs like "Revolution #9.")

This issue of the younger generation's degenerate music has been around forever. Google Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," particularly the parts about riots breaking out in theaters.

There weren't widespread drugs in the '50's - were there?

Nothing like the rate now, but marijuana, heroin, and cocaine have been around for hundreds of years. In the 1950s, in the U.S., they were confined mostly to blacks, Mexicans, and beatniks. There was also a methamphetamine drug culture mainly involving biker gangs.

- Jim

[Liberty]

I remember the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and remarking there goes our music - or something like that. It stunk then and it stinks now.

Can you clarify that? Did you think the Beatles' music stank, or the objections to it?

I liked the Beatles. Toward the end, they became somewhat noisy and lazy, IMHO. (I'm thinking of songs like "Revolution #9.")

This issue of the younger generation's degenerate music has been around forever. Google Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," particularly the parts about riots breaking out in theaters.

There weren't widespread drugs in the '50's - were there?

Nothing like the rate now, but marijuana, heroin, and cocaine have been around for hundreds of years. In the 1950s, in the U.S., they were confined mostly to blacks, Mexicans, and beatniks. There was also a methamphetamine drug culture mainly involving biker gangs.

- Jim

A big difference between the generation gap then and now is that back then the youth were often leftist, but they at least had reasoned explanations and understandings of what they believed in. Today talk to young leftist, and they mention things like hope and change. But have no clue about what they are hoping to change. They admire Che and Chavez but don't have clue of their contradiction to democracy. They hate Bush but can't seem to explain why. They hate the war can't explain where we should draw the line on whats worth fighting for. They explain to me that we are losing the war , but can't explain why.

While the leftist may not have been any more correct in their opinions they had no difficulties explaining why they thought the war in Vietnam was bad, They could explain why they admired Castro or RFK. They could tell you why they should rebell against the establishment.

[Oldgringo]

I remember the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and remarking there goes our music - or something like that. It stunk then and it stinks now.

Can you clarify that? Did you think the Beatles' music stank, or the objections to it?

I liked the Beatles. Toward the end, they became somewhat noisy and lazy, IMHO. (I'm thinking of songs like "Revolution #9.")

This issue of the younger generation's degenerate music has been around forever. Google Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," particularly the parts about riots breaking out in theaters.

There weren't widespread drugs in the '50's - were there?

Nothing like the rate now, but marijuana, heroin, and cocaine have been around for hundreds of years. In the 1950s, in the U.S., they were confined mostly to blacks, Mexicans, and beatniks. There was also a methamphetamine drug culture mainly involving biker gangs.

- Jim

I didn't care for the Beatles or the whole so called British invasion - and still don't. I saw Elvis on the Dorsey and Sullivan shows and while I thought it was cool - may parents did not. I thought, and still think. the "FOLK MUSIC" of the late 50's and early 60's was great. I still have some Brothers Four, Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan LP's. Now, who knows what a LP is?

Drugs were not around in the small town in southern Illinois of my pubesence so I didn't know about them. I did know about 3 quarts of beer for a dollar and drive-in movies.

[seamusTX]

I thought, and still think. the "FOLK MUSIC" of the late 50's and early 60's was great. I still have some Brothers Four, Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan LP's. Now, who knows what a LP is?

I like folk music also. It has literally been around forever, and I think it's outside the generation gap issue.

I have some LPs. I even have a turntable. I don't think it works, though. I get everything from iTunes now.

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

I thought, and still think. the "FOLK MUSIC" of the late 50's and early 60's was great. I still have some Brothers Four, Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan LP's. Now, who knows what a LP is?

I like folk music also. It has literally been around forever, and I think it's outside the generation gap issue.

I have some LPs. I even have a turntable. I don't think it works, though. I get everything from iTunes now.

- Jim

My turntable works.

[Pinkycatcher]

I thought, and still think. the "FOLK MUSIC" of the late 50's and early 60's was great. I still have some Brothers Four, Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan LP's. Now, who knows what a LP is?

I like folk music also. It has literally been around forever, and I think it's outside the generation gap issue.

I have some LPs. I even have a turntable. I don't think it works, though. I get everything from iTunes now.

- Jim

My turntable works.

We've got 2 actually, modern ones, with cd and cassette players in it.

[Sodbuster]

Whenever I was a youngster my big brother, big sister, and I lived with our grandparents in a rural, mostly poverty-stricken setting and my grandparents were faithfully true to the roots they were bred to. I remember my grandmother berating my sister as a young teen and calling her a 'brazen hussy' for not ironing her undergarments. My brother and I still tee-hee at Sis to this day over that but anyways then along came the Womens' Lib era and we all (well, all of us around my age anyways) remember what happened to those undergarments.