Don't give up!

With the UK's coalition government hyperactively trying to re-shape the economy, society, and relations with the rest of the world, they've decided to scrap the compulsory retirement age. This move will of course have a multitude of impacts - particularly on the prospects for younger folks trying to get into the workplace.

I'm all in favour of people of any age managing their working lives in whatever way best suits them - only requiring the state to facilitate conditions for making sustainable work available.

The challenge for older workers will be overcoming the prejudices of ageism - particularly impacting those who are looking to make changes later on in their careers. The cult of youth remains pervasive - particularly in the creative, commercial and financial sectors. Future blogposts will reflect on this as I pursue my own 3rd-age options.

Boomer role models

Planning and setting up this blog, required researching online for articles and images that encapsulate the boomer generation. What I found comprised the most dreadful cliched stereotypes, including:

• Silver-haired WASP models smugly beaming how comfortable they are in moneyed retirement
• Lovey-dovey arms around each other
• Golfing equipment
• Staring into computer screens
• George Clooney and Diane Keaton (and the Obamas???)
• Graphical representation of house price inflation
• The Beatles
• etc., etc., etc. ........

Which of these collections of images best represent us?

What and where are our real role models?

Booming or Busting?

Those of us fortunate to have been born in the post WW2 "developed world"- we've benefitted from exponential growth in technology, healthcare, wealth, communications, entertainment, leisure. 'Let the good times roll'!

Is it all coming to an end? Financial uncertainty, looming old age, new generations coming to the fore who don't share our values or aspirations - or afford us the respect or gratitude for bequeathing them the world they're now putting their own stamp upon? Are we a 'busted flush'?

What does it take to ensure in our final trimester we enrich ourselves, the wider world, and the upcoming generation? Are we so full of our own self-awareness / self-importance that it matters? Should we make the effort?

Not all of us are ready or willing to put our feet up just yet

Introduction

Boomer or Buster is a place to opinionate, let off steam, comment, agree, disagree on anything to do with being in your 50s and over.

Boomer or Buster also includes a 59-year old's musings - advice, criticism, tips, invective, comment, support, are all welcome - but avoid segueing into "grumpy ol' fart" mode.