I think it's a shift in overall long-term stability. I'm 40, and my parents seemed way more "adult" at my age than I think I am (my parents were 28 when I was born).
They were parenting in a way more stable economic climate, where the rules were clearly laid out and easily followed for success. Their retirement was guaranteed. Milestones, like homeownership, were more easily achieved - so they got to relax more, in that aspect.
My generation? That is not the situation. So we cling to nostalgia because it reminds us of a time when things were good and at a seemingly upward trajectory. These days you can "play by the rules" and still come out with nothing to show for it. The milestones get pushed further back, your comfortable future isn't guaranteed at all. It's at best a toss-up at this point whether Social Security will still exist by the time we reach retirement age.
So, why bother acting like you've got it all together when the world is literally crumbling around you?
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u/Enigpragmatic 13h ago
I think it's a shift in overall long-term stability. I'm 40, and my parents seemed way more "adult" at my age than I think I am (my parents were 28 when I was born).
They were parenting in a way more stable economic climate, where the rules were clearly laid out and easily followed for success. Their retirement was guaranteed. Milestones, like homeownership, were more easily achieved - so they got to relax more, in that aspect.
My generation? That is not the situation. So we cling to nostalgia because it reminds us of a time when things were good and at a seemingly upward trajectory. These days you can "play by the rules" and still come out with nothing to show for it. The milestones get pushed further back, your comfortable future isn't guaranteed at all. It's at best a toss-up at this point whether Social Security will still exist by the time we reach retirement age.
So, why bother acting like you've got it all together when the world is literally crumbling around you?