Why we’re going to get older but not always milder in the "Roaring Twenties"
Now our century has formally come of age, at least by hitting the once-sacred 21 years old milestone, it’s worth asking if older Australians represent a bona fide social movement.
The ageing population are a demographic phenomenon largely thanks to their sheer numbers triggered long ago by many parents’ post-WW2 procreation.
Consider also that anyone aged 50 and over is labelled as a mature age worker, and you have a cohort which is massive but not always cohesive.
Several relevant and noble organisations use labels such as ‘seniors’ or ‘ageing’ to describe their brands in Australia. In the UK there’s one called the Silver Surfers and the USA they even talk about the 'modern elder' movement.
But which of the above, if any, would you identify with?
Can the mere coincidence of age unite people in a joint enterprise which isn’t distracted by their differences in politics, income, education etc?
We’d like to build the FiftyUp Club up beyond a buying group for electricity, life insurance and other necessities - essential and valued though they may be - into something larger in scope and ambition.
We’re interested in what it would look like to widen the scope to include actions and discussion on the issues which affect those aged over 50 in particular.
These may include areas such a retirement income, health, wealth, age discrimination and access to work.
There may also be more significant issues such as intergenerational wealth transfers (in short how and when we pass on our assets) and other areas where we might feel or be called in to show responsibility and leadership.
As with any club, it’s up to the members to decide and push any of these or other burning issues. Self-interest may be a driving force but not always.
You may have your own list. If so please share it in the comments field below. If you think it’s all a load of baloney, share that too!
Wikipedia defines a social movement as the loosely organised effort of a large group to achieve a goal and to promote or even resist change.
These movements now use tech, such as social media, to mobilise their ‘people’, advocate for them and drive civic engagement and collective actions.
In a nod to its uproarious counterpart 100 years ago this decade has been tagged the ‘Roaring Twenties’, which begs the question: who's going to be roaring loudest?
How can we best develop a movement for older Australians and what might it achieve?
Over to you.
Any information is general advice, it does not take into account your individual circumstances, objectives, financial situation or needs.
