Exploring the Silent Generation
According to conventional thinking, I am part of the Silent Generation, also known as Traditionalists born between 1928 and 1945. I was born in 1943, during the Second World War. Perhaps I was silenced along with the millions of others who were conceived and gestated in the fear that the whole world was in a killing frenzy. My mother told me she feared that my father would be sent to battle, so she traveled to Florida where daddy was in Officers’ Candidate School, and sure enough she got pregnant. Apparently many wives did just that—got pregnant so they could have the child of their beloved who might be sent to war but never return.
My husband is ten years older than I. He was more immersed in the energies of the World War II, the poverty of the Depression, and the influences of his ultra-conservative grandparents who raised him. His Bible-belt family was steeped in the Depression economy and were beyond frugal. His grandmother told me that the burn scar on her arm was caused by attempting to catch a falling hot glass hurricane lantern. In her mind she could not let this valuable item break. In that era it would probably have cost ten cents to replace it.
Insurance actuarial tables tell us that the life span of a typical person in the United States is about 77 years. People who have survived to this age and older are the Elders in our society. In tribal cultures Elders were highly regarded for their wisdom and experience. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. With a highly mobile society, it seems we have forgotten our tribal origins and the value of our Elders. Some of us who are not so silent, feel we have something to share and are finding social media as a way to communicate with generations of all ages. When I sit with you, I can picture a camp fire and young people gathered around me. I love to share what I have learned and appreciate those who will be shaping the world of tomorrow—you.
One of the ways… society has economically exploited seniors is to convince them that they should be sequestered in independent and assisted living communities. In these environments they are confronted with infirmity, disability, death and dying every day. They usually only see people their own age, rather than experiencing the diversity of a mixed neighborhood. I’ll be highlighting a program I have considered developing called “Infants and Elders.” More about that later.
People of the Silent Generation are described as traditional, valuing hard work, thriftiness, and loyalty. Consider the politicians today. These white-haired government officials bring to their jobs the values they were raised with. However, many value having positions and money at any cost. Their survival instincts have been distorted to make it okay to lie, cheat, steal, accept bribes and make deals that undermine the very ideals that might have caused them to seek public office in the first place.
These people were raised listening to the radio. Many have had a challenge adapting to the fast-evolving technology of today. Due to their ages, many are at least semi-retired. Some have found comfort in front television sets while others have sought mental stimulation via travel, volunteer work or part-time work to supplement retirement income. These characteristics are especially noted by those who see these senior citizens as a profitable market for their goods and services. In fact, a Google search of any of the generations will yield a plethora of websites suggesting ways to take advantage of each generation’s characteristics if they come to work for your company or can be a target for your products or services.
The traditional values instilled in members of the Silent Generation during the Great Depression and World War II have generated feelings of determination, what we might consider obstinance. They can adapt to changing circumstances but sometimes it is not easy. We are all invested in doing what we learned to do when we were younger. That’s a topic I’ll cover more in depth. For now, just recognize that we can be exploited when others know what we value.
Members of the Silent Generation tend to value justice and fairness. They often have a strong sense of patriotism. That seems reasonable for those who served in the Armed Forces, fought for their country and helped rebuild the economy following the War. They may be very loyal to political parties, religious organizations, and former employers. They tended to pursue one career as opposed to moving around from job to job, which could be interpreted as risk aversion or as loyalty. Even if they rejected religion for a period during their lives, they tend to return to the church they knew as they seek social engagement and begin to contemplate their own mortality. Friends and faith are comforting.
Reference Source: Indeed – Characteristics of Silent Generation