USA culture is very youth oriented, advice on how to navigate through it as we enter our 40s, 50s

[Anonymous]

Here’s the thing. As you get older you don’t care about being a part of the broader culture. Hopefully you don’t need that validation. You find your people. Your passions and just live your life. It’s actually terrific!

[Anonymous]

I really think it depends on where you live. I'm out in suburbia right now and have completely transformed my life to be youth oriented. I want it and need it because I have small kids and this is my life and my life needs to be easy for me. I like all the events for children, restaurants that are understanding of kids and activities.

But it wasn't like that in DC or in a very close in suburb that I lived in. There I never saw a child or a baby. Restaurants didn't have high chairs (because they don't want your kids!). DH and I went to events at the Kennedy center, adult happy hours and fancy restaurants. Our neighbors had dogs and our condo was 1 and 2 bedrooms (because they didn't want families). You need to adjust where you live and your events. TONS of adult only, not kid friendly stuff out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take up shuffleboard, OP. Oh and constantly talk about how music was sooooo much better when you were younger.

Older music acts are discriminated against in the USA. In other countries older music artists are recognized but in the USA they are largely forgotten.

What an utterly stupid generalization.

Bruce Springsteen would be surprised to hear you say that. As would the many, many bands from the 1980s that are still touring, and even recording. Jon Bon Jovi sang for the inauguration celebration. Heck, I think the Beach Boys are still touring. My elementary aged kid loves the Beatles.

1980 was not that long ago. But you would be hard pressed to hear any new music released from artists from the 1980s on top 40 radio stations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take up shuffleboard, OP. Oh and constantly talk about how music was sooooo much better when you were younger.

Older music acts are discriminated against in the USA. In other countries older music artists are recognized but in the USA they are largely forgotten.

What an utterly stupid generalization.

Bruce Springsteen would be surprised to hear you say that. As would the many, many bands from the 1980s that are still touring, and even recording. Jon Bon Jovi sang for the inauguration celebration. Heck, I think the Beach Boys are still touring. My elementary aged kid loves the Beatles.

1980 was not that long ago. But you would be hard pressed to hear any new music released from artists from the 1980s on top 40 radio stations.

New poster. The youth these days do not listen to "top 40 radio stations." They stream whatever they want, whenever they want it. And so do these folks in their 40s and 50s who want to hear music. They can get all the older artists they want to hear by streaming their new stuff. My favorite 1980s band just released a new album and they'd never even consider top 40 radio airplay to be important any more.

Top 40 radio is pretty much all about the DJs chattering and/or playing songs for dentist offices and stores to put on the speakers because it's cheaper than a music streaming subscription.

[Anonymous]

The Boomers and Millennials make up the largest population in the U.S. Each is around 71 to 72 million, not so youth oriented. Then comes Gen X which is around 62 million.

Our media industry is fake and not representative of American life. Probably what OP is talking about.

[Anonymous]

I don't think our culture is "youth oriented" I think it completely caters to the baby boomers who have the money and voting power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m too busy working and trying to create a little bit of time here and there for myself to worry about fitting in.

This

Plus: who are you trying to impress?

Once I hit my late 30s and had kids and a career, I really stopped caring what others thought.

[Anonymous]

I turned 60 this week and could care less. Youth care about youth. Do you want to pack yourself on ice and be a preserved ice mummy or live?

[Anonymous]

Huh.

TIL USA has culture,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really think it depends on where you live. I'm out in suburbia right now and have completely transformed my life to be youth oriented. I want it and need it because I have small kids and this is my life and my life needs to be easy for me. I like all the events for children, restaurants that are understanding of kids and activities.

But it wasn't like that in DC or in a very close in suburb that I lived in. There I never saw a child or a baby. Restaurants didn't have high chairs (because they don't want your kids!). DH and I went to events at the Kennedy center, adult happy hours and fancy restaurants. Our neighbors had dogs and our condo was 1 and 2 bedrooms (because they didn't want families). You need to adjust where you live and your events. TONS of adult only, not kid friendly stuff out there.

How long ago did you live in DC? There are babies and kids everywhere. Go to any beer garden or brewery on a Saturday afternoon. And I’ve never been to any restaurant that didn’t have a high chair, including some ‘trendy’ ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really think it depends on where you live. I'm out in suburbia right now and have completely transformed my life to be youth oriented. I want it and need it because I have small kids and this is my life and my life needs to be easy for me. I like all the events for children, restaurants that are understanding of kids and activities.

But it wasn't like that in DC or in a very close in suburb that I lived in. There I never saw a child or a baby. Restaurants didn't have high chairs (because they don't want your kids!). DH and I went to events at the Kennedy center, adult happy hours and fancy restaurants. Our neighbors had dogs and our condo was 1 and 2 bedrooms (because they didn't want families). You need to adjust where you live and your events. TONS of adult only, not kid friendly stuff out there.

How long ago did you live in DC? There are babies and kids everywhere. Go to any beer garden or brewery on a Saturday afternoon. And I’ve never been to any restaurant that didn’t have a high chair, including some ‘trendy’ ones.

Totally disagree. All those fun crowded restaurants on 14th St, of you're eating anytime after 7pm!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think our culture is "youth oriented" I think it completely caters to the baby boomers who have the money and voting power.

Totally this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think our culture is "youth oriented" I think it completely caters to the baby boomers who have the money and voting power.

Totally this

This.

Marketers are mostly youth oriented, but that's about it..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take up shuffleboard, OP. Oh and constantly talk about how music was sooooo much better when you were younger.

Older music acts are discriminated against in the USA. In other countries older music artists are recognized but in the USA they are largely forgotten.

What an utterly stupid generalization.

Bruce Springsteen would be surprised to hear you say that. As would the many, many bands from the 1980s that are still touring, and even recording. Jon Bon Jovi sang for the inauguration celebration. Heck, I think the Beach Boys are still touring. My elementary aged kid loves the Beatles.

Top 40 radio moved on from Bruce, the Beach Boys and the Beatles decades ago. Fossils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m too busy working and trying to create a little bit of time here and there for myself to worry about fitting in.

This

Plus: who are you trying to impress?

Once I hit my late 30s and had kids and a career, I really stopped caring what others thought.

Amen.