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

[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.

It very much is. Take a look around sometime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yes the USA media is mostly carp.

[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.

Hahhah you don't follow music I guess. The older acts usually charge _more_ per ticket than younger acts, because the older fanbase can afford it.

New Order and Pet Shop Boys at Merriweather next year. All seats (not lawn) start at $110:

https://www.ticketmaster.com/pet-shop-boys-new-order-the-columbia-maryland-09-28-2021/event/1500585495952587

New Kids on the Block, $135: https://www.ticketmaster.com/new-kids-on-the-block-columbia-maryland-08-04-2021/event/15005AC3D52C48A8

New Order, Pet Shop Boys and New Kids... More fossils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They'd never even consider top 40 radio airplay because they already know they would never be able to get it.
If they could, both you and I know they would very much go for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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!

Finally somebody who gets it. Thank you.

[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.

The ratio of representation between the youth and baby boomers is not even close.

The youth will receive preferential treatment 10 times out of 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

I think you may be one of very few in this post that actually understands where the OP is coming from.

Many 30 and 40 somethings in today's society think they are still in their 20s.

[Anonymous]

"Monihan, who was 58, alleges being subjected to a degrading and hostile work environment where he was no longer desired because of his age. Monihan alleges multiple instances in which he would be told he could not take care of things because of his age, denied meetings and ideas to be heard because he was older and was told that younger people would have better ideas."

https://legalnewsline.com/stories/605743014-former-espn-employee-says-disney-pushed-out-older-workers

[Anonymous]

There are two totally different conversations going on here OP. Which do you mean?

1. Pop culture, fashion, and beauty standards, etc. glorify youth and even tik tok and Instagram are full of women in their 40s who look 25 with slim bodies and long long hair.

2. Americans are obsessed with their kids and their lives revolve around them - kids in fancy restaurants, adults with no hobbies or time to socialize, people make friends at kid activities, etc.

[Anonymous]

Another 58 year old, talking about being let go from Power 105 when he was 48 for being too old.

[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.

Hahhah you don't follow music I guess. The older acts usually charge _more_ per ticket than younger acts, because the older fanbase can afford it.

New Order and Pet Shop Boys at Merriweather next year. All seats (not lawn) start at $110:

https://www.ticketmaster.com/pet-shop-boys-new-order-the-columbia-maryland-09-28-2021/event/1500585495952587

New Kids on the Block, $135: https://www.ticketmaster.com/new-kids-on-the-block-columbia-maryland-08-04-2021/event/15005AC3D52C48A8

Show me a recent example of any of the 3 groups mentioned above either performing or appearing at any recent MTV music awards?

I do not follow MTV by the way.

But I do know that the 3 groups you mentioned above are probably still releasing new music videos so technically they still should be eligible to appear on that program.

[Anonymous]

Stay young at heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay young at heart.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm 55 and about 7 years ago, I decided to let my hair go gray. (Since then it's become a trend but this was before that)

It turned out to be my way of shunning the youth culture. Growing out your gray is a constant mind-game, as people get threatened by it and say crazy stuff. And all it takes is 10 minutes of weakness to put that dye back in.

It was one of the most freeing experiences of my life. And since we're anonymous here, I'll just say...I look great. Before, I looked like I was trying to look young, and not succeeding. Many people with dyed hair look a little sickly in the face. Their hair looks great, but their face looks washed out.

One caveat: There are two types of folks that go gray--the person who's gray hair is one of the byproducts of them not taking care of themselves, vs. the person who has gone gray intentionally. So for me, it was important to keep wearing a little makeup to show that I was being intentional about the way I look.

[Anonymous]

It’s always been youth oriented and when you are no longer a youth you move on and evolve. At some point you grow weary of too loud dance clubs and you go somewhere else. It doesn’t happen over night so it isn’t a culture shock.