jayt@ssc-vax.UUCP (Jay T McCanta) (04/25/85)
This news group has been BORING. I propose a topic to discuss. The
other day, I heard that for the first time in our nation's history, the
number of people over 65 is greater than those under 21. In fact, the
median age is now 34 (up from 29). What implications does this have?
Will it make social secutiry an impossiblity in the future? Will it spell
an end to our facination with being young? I open this forum for discussion.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The philosophy of cats and 2-year olds is the formula for success
"It is easier to beg forgiveness, than to ask permission"
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jay T. McCanta
Boeing Aerospace
Kent, Wa.
{uw-beaver|adiron|cesonix|argus|purdue}!ssc-vax!jaytnyssa@abnji.UUCP (nyssa of traken) (04/26/85)
Related to the increasing age of society, and probably the cause, is the increase in health of our society. People have been eating healthier foods (Not necessarily "health" foods, but food that is freer of parasites and diseases), and have greater access to medical facilities. This means a longer estimated life span, and greater health to a greater age. Doesn't this mean we should start to increase mandatory retirement ages? (Also increasing minimum ages for social security retirement benefits?) Any thoughts on this? -- James C Armstrong, Jnr. ihnp4!abnji!nyssa Chap with wings there, five rounds rapid!
jayt@ssc-vax.UUCP (Jay T McCanta) (04/30/85)
> Related to the increasing age of society, and probably the cause, > is the increase in health of our society. I believe the cause of the increase age of society is not that we are living longer, but that we are having fewer children. Even if we lived longer, if we still had lots of children the age of society would be slowly climbing instead of the leaps we are now seeing. As the baby boomers are starting to retire, their children (which were fewer than they) are having fewer children as well. In the U.S. population growth is soley due to immigration. Without immigration, we would be experiencing a negative population growth.
canopus@amdahl.UUCP (Frank Dibbell) (05/03/85)
Summary: Discussion of why society as a whole is getting "older". > [...] As the baby > boomers are starting to retire, their children (which were fewer than > they) are having fewer children as well. [...] Obviously, the writer is referring to the baby boom which occurred after the FIRST World War (beginning in 1920), since these people are now reaching retirement age (65). Us baby boomers from the baby boom after the SECOND World War (beginning in 1946) ain't quite ready to retire! -- Frank Dibbell (408-746-6493) {whatever}!amdahl!canopus [R.A. 6h 22m 30s Dec. -52d 36m] [Generic disclaimer.....]