I often see older people dismissing the “TikTok generation” and criticizing younger people for their limited attention spans. And we’ve all seen “Ok, Boomer” as a trite response in comments sections.
Hi Skylar! I love this article! I never understood this animosity between generations. In the past year and a half I’ve connected with many younger women in widow support groups. I am 56, but since my son is 12 I find in some ways I have more in common with moms in their 30s and 40s. I learn so much from them about navigating life on social media for me and my son. He doesn’t have a phone yet, (the only one of his peers without one) but he watches a lot of YouTube. I’m sure if I had a daughter social media would be a bigger issue, but for now he thinks TikTok is cringe. I also appreciate how some younger women are much more comfortable exploring their sexuality. When I was in my 20s and 30s no one was talking about vibrators and sexual health. If you wanted to explore self pleasure you had to go to a sex shop. Now you can get sex toys on Amazon delivered to your door the next day, and there are plenty of instructional videos if you need help using it. I love my generation, Gen X, but there’s plenty to learn from those both older and younger than I.
I love this, Skylar. So much to unpack here- the marketing piece, the value of intergenerational relationships, the need to truly listen and lead with empathy which seems to be sorely lacking in today's culture, and the ageism- so much ageism. One of the first pieces I wrote on my original blog was about the beauty of intergenerational friendships. One of my close friends whom I met in my early 30s is 20+ years older, and I have some friends in their 30s and 40s. I also recently met a 20 something woman who is now reading the newsletter, which makes my heart happy, as truly want to reach younger women for the very reasons you write about. These relationships open my mind and my world and make me better. I think one of the keys to moving the needle on ageism lies in bridging this gap with younger people. Would love to chat more about with you!
Hi Skylar! I love this article! I never understood this animosity between generations. In the past year and a half I’ve connected with many younger women in widow support groups. I am 56, but since my son is 12 I find in some ways I have more in common with moms in their 30s and 40s. I learn so much from them about navigating life on social media for me and my son. He doesn’t have a phone yet, (the only one of his peers without one) but he watches a lot of YouTube. I’m sure if I had a daughter social media would be a bigger issue, but for now he thinks TikTok is cringe. I also appreciate how some younger women are much more comfortable exploring their sexuality. When I was in my 20s and 30s no one was talking about vibrators and sexual health. If you wanted to explore self pleasure you had to go to a sex shop. Now you can get sex toys on Amazon delivered to your door the next day, and there are plenty of instructional videos if you need help using it. I love my generation, Gen X, but there’s plenty to learn from those both older and younger than I.
I love this, Skylar. So much to unpack here- the marketing piece, the value of intergenerational relationships, the need to truly listen and lead with empathy which seems to be sorely lacking in today's culture, and the ageism- so much ageism. One of the first pieces I wrote on my original blog was about the beauty of intergenerational friendships. One of my close friends whom I met in my early 30s is 20+ years older, and I have some friends in their 30s and 40s. I also recently met a 20 something woman who is now reading the newsletter, which makes my heart happy, as truly want to reach younger women for the very reasons you write about. These relationships open my mind and my world and make me better. I think one of the keys to moving the needle on ageism lies in bridging this gap with younger people. Would love to chat more about with you!