If you’re in your fifties, you might not take too kindly to this...
Gen Z (born between the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2010s) and Baby Boomers (born between the late 1940s and early 1960s) just can’t seem to get along or agree on much these days – and this certainly won’t help matters. Whether it’s an ‘ OK Boomer ’ retort, conflicting attitudes about the 9 to 5 or using capital letters in text messages , the two generations often have very different views. And now, the same can be said about attitudes towards ageing.
A total of 2,000 adults were asked about generational differences in a recent study commissioned by Wellsoon at Practice Plus Group . Those under the age of 27 believe that old age begins around the late 50s, and retirement mostly involves sitting in an armchair and ‘pottering’ about. However, two thirds of Boomers say they feel up to 20 years younger than their true age, with 60 being the new 40.
Boomers were also found to be the most active out of the two generations. They spend an average of four more hours embracing the great outdoors beyond work hours, compared to young adults. The older group credits feeling younger to their active, outdoorsy lifestyle.
And yet 37% of Boomers said they would be even more active if it wasn’t for health issues and chronic joint pains. When it comes to the meaning of ‘ageing’, a quarter of Boomers associated it with not being as healthy. But 22% of Millennials thought of it as losing your looks and you.
