5 Reasons why Baby Boomers are NOT “Seniors”!
August 14, 2008 by Jean Murray
What is this trend of calling Baby Boomers “seniors?!” That’s just wrong!
- One website for baby boomers has a domain name of http://seniorjournal.com/BabyBoomers.htm
- Another website touts a “babyboomer/senior” expo. Yuck!
- Every time I try to find photos of baby boomers for posts, I have to type in “senior” to get any photos that aren’t of 20-somethings.
My list of reasons why Baby Boomers are NOT seniors!
1. We are too young. Although some are certainly now eligible for Social Security, the vast majority of boomers are NOT. Some boomers are still in their 40s and early 50s. Quit lumping all of us together.
2. Our parents are the “Seniors.” Younger boomers would have parents in their late 60s, early 70s; those of us who are older might have parents in their 80s and 90s. They are the seniors.
3. Some boomers still have children at home. Younger boomers are very likely to have children in high school, college. That’s not what I would call a “senior” experience.
4. 60 is the new 40.
5. We certainly don’t feel, think, act or look like “seniors.” Consider baby boomers competing as Olympic athletes.
Marketers and the media love to give labels to groups. Maybe this isn’t a big deal to anyone else, but I am tired of being labeled as a “senior.” What do you think?
Technically I’m not a Boomer (missed by one year:), but I’ll offer up a couple of thoughts.
• A senior label is OK if the discount is big enough.
• The nice thing is that even when we’re older than dirt we won’t be termed elderly.
Senior—who cares, but elderly NEVER!
I think the Boomers are too hung up on age. When you were 29, did you think 55 year olds were “young”? Embrace your age – labels and all.
@GenerationXpert, I would expect such a comment from someone outside their domain of expertise. We (as in apparently not you) embrace our age. It’s reflexively equating that age with infirmity, diminished capacity and requiring succor that chaps the hide of most Boomers I know.
However, as our numbers reach critical mass for AARP membership, authors of these derogatory epithets, mostly the advertising community, will be forced to concede that we are well, we are sharp, and…we vote with our cash. Woe to those who continue to call us old.
I have mixed feelings about the discount thing. On the one hand, I resent being classified as someone who is so old she can’t manage her money and needs the discount so she won’t be forced into “the poor house” or to eat dog food. On the other hand, heck, I’ll take it.
The great thing about being a Boomer is the insight we have that allows us to develop websites for other Boomers.
Boomer Yearbook is based on the vision that Baby Boomers want to connect and reconnect, but
in our own way and on our own terms. Boomer Yearbook is the social network designed by and
for Baby Boomers, the largest, most successful and most diverse segment of the
population.There are lots of thinks for all, it’s far better social networking then orkut.I
have found great articles on various topics, games, music, health, fashion. Almost
everything for everyone.You can visit http://www.boomeryearbook.com for a test drive.