So you finally caved. You’ve accepted a friend request from your mom.
Don’t worry, everyone’s doing it.
In fact, according to surveys by InsideFacebook.com the fastest growing age category on Facebook is 55-65! And in a more recent study, it was also shown that a large percentage of iPad users fell into the “senior” category. So, what does this all mean? Is it because the older generation are simply the late adopters, and up till now they’ve still been trying to figure out how the mouse works, or are they truly becoming more and more tech savvy?
I think it’s a bit of both.
But one things for sure – for the most part our parents are not afraid to learn and try new things. And as the next generation we must be careful not to dismiss or undermine their wisdom and experience (simply cause they don’t know how to use their Blackberry).
The bible says “honour your parents”. It encourages us to learn and share across the generations – that both sides have things to gain from each other.
And so maybe, if we let them, the ballies could still teach us a thing or two…
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Tom Basson 
How refreshing to hear that your age group is still interested in tapping in on some of the experiences of their parents. I entred university in my mid forties to begin my undergrad studies. There were many folks my age on campus and in my classes. In this part of the world, it was still somewhat unusual for a woman of my age to enter university, but not really. Although I faced many changes and challenges, I was welcomed and found support every step of the way.
I learned how to use a computer for word processing after the final paper in my entry level art history class was returned to me with the post note from my instructor. “it read – if I intended to apply for university entrance I had better learn to word process my papers double spaced and printed in a certain manner. Hand written papers would not be accepted.”
I blew the dust off the discarded computer my sons purchased together. This old dos saw them through their undergrad studies, and now I thought, it must be mine. They had long since purchased themselves the latest PC model. After some time on a rainy November afternoon, I managed to put it together upload the tutorial and begin a whole new and different kind of typing lesson.
I did pretty good with typing in high school as that was one of the courses I managed to get a higher mark than usual in and was word process without too many clitches except for that the machine in front of me behaved a little differently and required a little more sophisticated ingenuity than my smith corona.
Anyway, the rest is history.
Thank you for acknowledging the truth about us ballies, some of us continue to get excited at the prospects of learning something new, changing our hardwiring a little for the sake of keeping life fun and vital.
What’s great about being 65 is that one has a perspective that one doesn’t have when they are in their ’40’s or even ’50’s. We like to think our lives were worth something more than having and raising children. There was more to us than the everyday. We had dreams too and some of us managed to fulfill them and continue to do so.
mum65
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Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and share your story!!
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Nice one Tom,
To be honest I’m starting to feel like a Ballie with my 5 year old teaching me a thing or two nowadays. The truth is that we have a lot to learn from our parents, they have been there and done that sometimes more than once or twice. What is great is that we can give back to them all that they gave us. How many hours did they spend with us answering all the Why or how does it do this or that? Who made it like that? I am learning to answer all these questions nad man is it difficult sometimes. Remember Levi asking you about the tides:)
So spend sometime with your mom and teach to use her Blackberry if she doesn’t want to learn then give it to me I need one.
PS M mom is still not on Facebook.
Rob.
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Hey Rob. Thanks for the thoughts – you are absolutely right – it can be difficult, but it’s worth it!
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Age is what exactly….. now that I sit and think about it…… beauty fading, mind a bit slow…but a life full, a journey travelled, love shared…… not so bad actually. In fact pretty good to still be here to keep you young ones on your running toes!!
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Hello folks
Being new to Windows Live and blogging in this way, I am delighted to be learning some new stuff through all the great resources for available every step of the way.
My husband and I viewed the film ‘The Social Network’ directed by David Fincher. The story is built on the conception and birth of ‘Facebook.’ If you haven’t already seen it, I HIGHLY recommend it – especially to – the so-called ‘baby boomers.’ Very englightening indeed. Of course the film is a piece of fiction, but certainly offers up some frightening truths about the techno age we find ourselves swimming or sinking in. The director David Fincher presents us with some pretty soul less stuff.
Is there a spell check anywhere?
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Hm, I have to chime in here. While 55 – 65 seems old to those who are far from reaching it, we in this age group are not all late adopters who have been trying to figure out mousing. I think perhaps you are referring to those in the 75 – 90 age range, although even that is questionable, as many of my parents’ friends are extremely tech-savvy. You give us credit for becoming more tech savvy, and then immediately take it away buy saying we can’t figure out our Blackberries. Who has a Blackberry, anyway? Don’t we all have iPhones now? It seems like every generation thinks they invented smartness, and feels perfectly fine about dismissing the talents and achievements of the generation that went before them. I know we did that to our parents, and it seems you are continuing the tradition. Sorry to be contrary, but it had to be said. We do know how to do stuff. And it is entirely possible we could even teach your generation a thing or two. After all, Steve Jobs was 55!
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Thanks for the great comment. I agree with you completely, and am disappointed you feel I am negating the older generation. The entire point of this post was the exact opposite of course – to value the generation who has come before us and who absolutely can teach us so so much! Blackberry’s still very popular here in South Africa, and I think we are still a little behind the curve when it comes to technology, with major computer and tech illiteracy across all generations! Thanks for reading!
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Have to say that I agree totally with Lynnjake. I also thought the remarks were a touch dismissive… Generalizations are always a bit risky, don’t you think? I would encourage you to open up your mind and not be so quick to categorize people – I think you’ll be surprised at what you find…
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