Successful Aging as Viewed by Generation X

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Successful Ageing: Generation X versus Baby Boomers

Numerous studies have focused on understanding and defining the constituents of successful aging. The term "successful aging" is popular in the gerontological literature to cover processes in aging. The processes of aging are positive, and at times, the term has shown relations to "vital aging" or "active aging" implying that later life is characterized by sustained health and vitality. According to Moody (2005), "successful aging" suggests main ideas including life satisfaction, longevity, freedom from disability, mastery, and growth, active management with life and independence.

According to Dubey et al. (2011), as people grow older, they have incidences of illnesses. However, an older population has numerous needs as compared to a younger population. Life satisfaction continues to be an important aspect in the study of aging. This is because it is an accepted condition, which people or scholars use to determine the quality of life. In addition, it is a primary element in successful aging. Prior studies suggest that life satisfaction has a strong relation to socio-demographic and psychosocial variables (Dubey et al., 2011). Old age literally means reduced physical capacity, declined mental capacity, in activeness in socio-economic activities, and a shift to dependence on others.

However, in the coming decade, a good percentage of healthy older adults will be in a position to work past the traditional retirement age. Some Baby Boomers will realize that they will have to work in order to sustain their financial needs, whereas others will work primarily because they enjoy working. Currently, aging is a global challenge. This is because the process of aging is developing very quickly, and it is impossible to predict how its progress will culminate. Aging and over-population are two processes, which run concurrently. This is because while the developed countries feel the effect of the aging processes, the developing countries fight against over-population.

Nevertheless, aging is not only a social and economical issue, but also an important period of life for the concerned people. In one hand, the outcome of spreading growth and welfare results to the poor countries' population grows older. On the other hand, in the developed countries, population growth is slow due to decreased fertility, mortality and emigration of young people (Illes, 2013). It is unfortunate that some people view aging as an entirely negative final stage of the human life span. This is not entirely the case; however, awareness and acceptance of the fact that ageing has physiological, psychological and social determinants will make ageing acceptable or even desirable by adding meaning to life.

Prior studies suggest that when people grow old, they tend to incline to religion mainly because it is a common belief that religion provides social support. Other researchers suggest that religion is proof enough that the concerned people, lack satisfaction with life. Therefore, life satisfaction stands as the primary aspect for successful aging (Dubey et al., 2011). Income and education are two socio-demographic attributes, which influence life satisfaction through psychological factors including activity-physical, leisure activities and social contacts. The current study is specific. It explores successful ageing as perceived by two generations; Generation X and Baby Boomers aiming at examining their view on health, wealth, education, gender, socialization, status, and government's impact.

Satisfaction with Life

Although there is a gloomy view expressed by some individuals concerning aging, some scholars suggest that satisfaction with life increases with age. This suggests that life gets easier and better as people grow old. In support for this statement, a survey of 1400 Australians aged 55-74 years reported that there were numerous positive things associated with aging such as more time and freedom, free to do what one wishes, enjoying the experience and wisdom, and knowledge. A typical example is the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index, which carries out telephone interviews with a sample of 2000 adults (Howe and Danoth, 1997).

On a ten-point scale, personal well-being constitutes average score on seven elements of individuals lives, standard of living, health, achievements in life, personal relationships, safety, personal sense of belonging and financial security. This survey revealed that satisfaction with life increases with age, ranging to around 80% for those aged 76 and over. This category of people expresses the highest percentage on satisfaction with life, a correct trend for all the seven aspects of life satisfaction. In addition, the survey revealed that satisfaction with relationships concerning spouses, friends, and family scores the highest (Cummins e.t al. 2002).

Active Ageing

Scholars are discarding past theories of ageing, such as role theory and disengagement theory in favor of positive views because psychological, social, economical, and environmental factors have substantial influence on ageing. Past theories were negative about the ageing process, equating it with the loss of status and social separation. For instance, the role theory says that throughout life; people play numerous roles to assist with developing self-concepts, norms of behaviors and defining the person. However, the roles change with the rate at which the people, circumstances, and environments change (Hooyman and Kiyak, 1988). Nevertheless, the theory suggests that older people suffer "role loss" when their identity as a worker fail to complement emerging roles.

From a positive view, older people provide a developing market for education and training. This is because lifelong learning is significant, for advancing skills, which can offer invaluable assistance in voluntary work or managing personal affairs. This suggests that older people can learn. In support of this, numerous studies reveal positive impacts on both physical and mental health among the elderly who participate in further education. It is appropriate to encourage older people to participate in formal education for them to adapt to the dynamic workplace. Another positive aspect is that science and technology has potential positive impacts on the older people.

Information technology including computers, internet can provide opportunities for the older people. On the other hand, internet access can overcome functional and geographic challenges and create many opportunities including business, banking, leisure, and access to information (Scott, 1999). This is a positive view of the older people, which has seen to expansion of technology, financial assistance, and training programs to allow the older people to take part in information technology. The perception that older people are technophobes is incorrect, since, for instance, the baby boomer generation, with appropriate training, conduct shopping online.

Overview of the Generations

A generation refers to people who share similar formative events and trends, headlines and heroes, music and mood, parenting style and education approaches. These people evolve across time, learn as they grow, but their perceptions concerning the world do not change. In addition, different generations vary in the way they view things because they came of age in unique eras (AARP, 2007). Therefore, it is apparent their views on vital issues as leadership, politics, communications, and decision-making are divergent (AARP, 2007).

The names and dates of birth for the generations differ from one generation to the other. This study will comment on the Baby Boom generation, comprising of people born between 1946 and 1964, and the Generation X comprising of people born between 1965 and 1980 (AARP, 2007). In America, the Greatest Generation refers to the Americans who fought in the World War II. The remnant of the war went o to build and rebuild the United States. On the other hand, the Silent Generation refers to the people born between the two World Wars. They were too young to offer any help, therefore, could not join the service when the war begun.

Baby Boomers Generation

The Baby Boomers represent the dominant generation, which defied many records in their time as being the largest population. This generation resulted due to a substantial increase in the rates of birth during the end of the Second World War. Therefore, this generation dates back to 1946, and its end was around the year 1964. People in this age group, or this generation are competitors who commit their lives to work. They do this for the sake of their families, and they did this to an extent of securing dual jobs, which resulted to personal struggles and increased divorce rates (DelCampo et. al., 2010). The same generation utilized the idealism approach, but often lacked time management skills in their rush to achieve everything. Nevertheless, the trend is evident currently because their commitment to their jobs has made most of the boomers suggest that they will never retire. However, the statement does not hold because research comments that baby boomers retire at a rate of over 8,000 per day.

Generation X

The rise of Generation X seemed to challenge the baby boomer's optimistic nature with defiance. This generation was born around 1965 and 1980. Currently, people who constitute this generation age 28-48. Notably, this generation experienced a comfortable growing, during their childhood ages. However, they did not favor workaholic and divorcing parents. In addition, they also resent governmental corruption (DelCampo et. al., 2010). Owing to their self-centeredness, they tend to be disloyal to their employers and less committed to achieve their desires quickly. Therefore, they regularly job-hop and opt for creative, entrepreneurial ventures.

General Characteristics of Generation X and the Baby Boomers

Generation X: shaped by dual career and single parent families and by organizational change resulting from advanced technology and globalization (Eisner, 2005)

Baby Boomers: shaped by prosperity resulting from the sixties youth culture and the war

Generally cynical, alienated and depressed

Very loyal to the organization or employer

Comprises of pessimistic and individualistic people

Characterized by idealism, optimism and self-driven

Although they are comfortable change and diversity, this generation rarely remains loyal to an organization

Comprises of diligent workers

Comprises of independent people and self-sufficient

Has a high value for organizational authority

This generation is likely to look for challenging work, which provides better pay

Their primary objective is consensus building

Has the capacity to alter the rules, if it will get things done

Comprises of excellent mentors

Very skeptical when it comes to authority

Constitutes of a competitive category, which advocates for change and expansion

The generation also values personal and professional lives, but view them from an equal perspective (Eisner, 2005)

Characterized by ruthless when pursuing material success

Shows tendencies of micro-managing others (Eisner, 2005)

Values work and makes it core in their member's lives

Successful Ageing: Perceptions of the Baby Boomers and Generation X

Health

Numerous studies support the concept of health in relation to successful ageing. This involves all other activities, which an individual (older or young) takes part in aiming at maintaining or managing an individual's life. Research suggests that physical activity is an effective precaution for preventing chronic disease and ensuring the psychological well-being in elderly people. Baby Boomers, who constitute of the largest population, values engagement in healthcare provision. This generation often seeks counsel and brings any complaints concerning ill health to the physicians (McCkaren, Pickens, and Wells, 2009).

People in this generation take part in the decision-making process for their aging parents while inquiring on the health needs of their children. They also view health a significant aspect, which has a substantial impact on the aging process. On the other hand, the generation X, comprise of people born around the year 1961-1981, show great interest and values inclusion in education services. Generation X is relatively healthy when compared to the older generations, but they are very curious and actively seek information concerning health issues. Like the Baby Boomers, they also view health as a significant contributor to successful aging (McCkaren, Pickens and Wells, 2009).

Wealth

Prior studies suggest that when choosing literature appropriate to the economic status, it is important to consider the population under study. For this paper, we cannot utilize a sample of people aged over 85 years because most of them do not work. People comprising generation x and baby boomers, are still working, and they are appropriate for this study. According to McLaughlin (2008), wealth refers to the ownership of different assets. Wealth is permanent and has some consistency in indicating an individual's economic status. In addition, wealth is significant in successful aging because it has the capacity to provide security in periods of reduced income such as retirement or job loss.

Wealth also offers protection in cases of increased expenses such as increased medical expenditures, which may occur due to illnesses. Owing to the fact that wealth accrues over time, it is possible that the baby boomers really relate it in terms of successful aging (Galobardes, 2006). This is because this generation shows dedication to their job, for gaining. Baby boomers also comprise of diligent workers, and research suggests that these people are ruthless when in pursuit for material success (Eisner, 2005). Therefore, it is evident that baby boomers value wealth, owing to the reasons provided above, which include protection from increased financial needs such as the onset of illness. On the other hand, generation x comprise of people who will work under challenging conditions just to get a better pay. These also suggest that they value wealth, which accrues over time.

In support for this, prior studies suggest that material wealth has a direct correlation to successful aging. For many, especially the boomers, show concern in respect to retirement, which interrupts their well-being because the lack a source of income. Living on a small fixed income limits the lifestyle and the capacity to adapt to the needs associated with aging. People with substantial amounts of wealth at retirement can access various opportunities. This concept on the relationship between wealth and well-being gunners support from the micro-economics theory, which states that an increase in the level of income of a society, would result to other things remaining constant to a greater well-being (McLaughlin, 2008)

Government Impact

Although population aging is a "crisis" in a way, owing to the fact that the older population will not contribute to the development of a country, governments in the globe are viewing ageing from a different point-of-view. For instance, the New Zealand government has approached this challenge through its Positive Ageing Strategy (PAS) (Glasgow and Davey, 2006). However, it is not the only country, which has adopted a positive model to cater for the ageing population. PAS comprised of some strategies influenced by public perception of the aging people. Their strategy did not favor the boomers or generation x, but included them because ageing was an inevitable period. Therefore, PAS aimed at instilling a positive view concerning ageing, promote attitudes that respect and value the elderly, support the elderly, value the multicultural elderly and value self-reliance (Glasgow and Davey, 2006).

Education

Research suggest that generation x comprise of educated people when compared to the baby boomers. However, research suggests that although the baby boomers are inadequately educated, they take part in education at their later stages of life. This is because they know that education has a connection to the well-being, which is consistent (Meeks and Murrell, 2001). In addition, baby boomers take part in learning because educational attainment has a link to lower levels of negative effect, which in turn has a correlation to better health and leads to an increased satisfaction with life. Prior research also comments that with education, both generations will be in a position to develop superior techniques for solving problems and coping with change.

In the education context, boomers and generation x constituents, will require a continuous education or learning process to efficiently transition from the current lifestyle to another. This is because as one ages, there are several things that change. Their capability to see hear, or remember alters substantially. In addition, an individual will lack the ability to keep up with simple tasks such as reading, although they were in a position to before (Warnick, 1999). This will call for education in various forms to enable an individual to adapt with life. For instance, the aging may require to study on how to walk with a cane, or learn how to use the braille as a form of education. In other cases, still in the aging process, the generations embrace technology as outlined earlier on this paper (Slangen-DeKort et. al., 2001). Others even complete tasks such as shopping online or by utilizing the telephone.

Status

Both boomers and generation x comprise of people who value the family. Using the information provided by the Pew Research Center tabulations from the March Current Population Surveys (1963, 1978 and 2009), 64% of generation x aged 29-44 was married, and whereas 67% of boomers aged, 45-63 were in marriage. Although some factors such as death rendered people single, the study suggested that when the two generations grow older, they would not prefer to be alone. The two generations agree that family is a source of social support especially when they grow old or in the process of aging. The family serves as a source of protection by enhancing self-esteem, source of encouragement and promoting sound behaviors (Bovbierg et al., 1995). The family also provides food, clothing, and many other necessities, which are important during the aging process, to accomplish successful aging.