Sept_13

RBIT . TRENDS
Minds in transition
Times change, people change. According to a report by
market and social research consultancy Pew Research
Centre, silver Americans have changed their minds over
the years about (often controversial) ethical issues,
from divorce, premarital sex and parenthood outside
marriage to gay and lesbian relations, and embryonic stem
cell research. Despite this change of mindset, however,
their views still remain divergent from younger Americans.
HOMOSEXUALITY
51%
ACCEPTABLE
10 YEARS AG0
PORNOGRAPHY
19%
ACCEPTABLE
XXX
5 YEARS AG0
TEEN SEX
22%
ACCEPTABLE
10 YEARS AG0
For instance, as the report tells us,
while 51 per cent of Americans over
60 now believe gay and lesbian
relations are morally acceptable
(up from only 29 per cent 10
years ago), 74 per cent of young
Americans say the same. Similarly,
19 per cent of older Americans say
pornography is morally acceptable,
up from just 5 per cent 10 years
ago—but when it comes to
younger Americans, the figure
is 49 per cent.
29%
ACCEPTABLE
5%
ACCEPTABLE
XXX
13%
ACCEPTABLE
Another issue worth noting is
sex between teenagers; while
22 per cent of older Americans now
find it acceptable (up from 13 per
cent 10 years ago), 48 per cent of
younger Americans are on board.
Time for a similar Indian survey,
wouldn’t you say?
When love has gone
Many married silvers in the UK are opting for the single
life. According to national relationship charity Relate,
the number of people over 60 divorcing has increased
by over a third in 10 years. Whimsically titled Will You
Still Love Me When I'm 64?, its report states that there were
15,275 divorces among silvers in 2011 compared to 13,554
in 2010 and 10,273 in 2000, reports London newspaper The
Observer. The fallout: less support, reduced well-being and
increased loneliness. “Increasingly, pensioners are opting
for divorce as they grow increasingly impatient with a lifetime
of compromises and the children have left the nest,”
says Ruth Sutherland, chief executive of Relate. “Although
this may seem empowering initially, over the long term it
could have a tremendous negative impact on life satisfaction
and lead to depression. Couples need to prepare to
get old together and seek help for problems rather than
impulsively file for divorce. It’s more important than ever to
invest in our relationships.”
10 harmony celebrate age september 2013