This framing of midlife as an "aging cliff" captures somthing most workforce planning totally misses. The disconnect between lived experience (still capable, ambitious, energetic) and cultural scripts (decline, invisibility) isn't just psychological. I've seen companies restructure teams around this exact assumption, effectively sidelining people in their peak contribution years. The point about millennials expecting updated narratives is spot on, they grew up remixing everything else, why would aging be diferent?
Bryan, as always a great round up of aging trends. It's true that as a society it's been forgotten we'd all get older. But we're reminding them that we're here and kicking quite loudly I think.
The sections on "Legacy, Not Leisure" and "Not Your Grandfather's Retirement" really resonated strongly with me.
Thanks for sharing so much great content. Much is true. I’ll offer my POV as a 50+ woman. My female peers are refusing to “age into invisibility.” We are speaking out, creating content and demanding to be heard. We must. I
see it so much here on Substack and it’s starting to show up more and more. Maybe we need to stop using those phrases to stop lending them credibility?
I am happy to hear that GenX is focused on continuing to contribute and use the late-middle into older phases of life to find meaning. I also am focused on positive aging, esp. for the "Boomer" gen. I work with women over 60 and am delighted to welcome the GenX women into my work. I hope to heaven that some groundwork has been laid for GenX to continue to transform19th and 20th century constructions of retirement into what works for us and society now.
I was stunned that 40-something women feel they have hit some kind of cliff. As a Boomer, I never felt that. I was way too busy raising family, loving life, and growing myself. Has something changed? Keep up the intriguing posts! Thanks.
This framing of midlife as an "aging cliff" captures somthing most workforce planning totally misses. The disconnect between lived experience (still capable, ambitious, energetic) and cultural scripts (decline, invisibility) isn't just psychological. I've seen companies restructure teams around this exact assumption, effectively sidelining people in their peak contribution years. The point about millennials expecting updated narratives is spot on, they grew up remixing everything else, why would aging be diferent?
Well said
Bryan, as always a great round up of aging trends. It's true that as a society it's been forgotten we'd all get older. But we're reminding them that we're here and kicking quite loudly I think.
The sections on "Legacy, Not Leisure" and "Not Your Grandfather's Retirement" really resonated strongly with me.
So good to hear this Melanie!
Thanks for sharing so much great content. Much is true. I’ll offer my POV as a 50+ woman. My female peers are refusing to “age into invisibility.” We are speaking out, creating content and demanding to be heard. We must. I
see it so much here on Substack and it’s starting to show up more and more. Maybe we need to stop using those phrases to stop lending them credibility?
I think you're right Kirsten. It is also encouraging to see women pushing back on the invisibility narrative. I appreciate you!
Same! So good to get these conversations going!
I am happy to hear that GenX is focused on continuing to contribute and use the late-middle into older phases of life to find meaning. I also am focused on positive aging, esp. for the "Boomer" gen. I work with women over 60 and am delighted to welcome the GenX women into my work. I hope to heaven that some groundwork has been laid for GenX to continue to transform19th and 20th century constructions of retirement into what works for us and society now.
I was stunned that 40-something women feel they have hit some kind of cliff. As a Boomer, I never felt that. I was way too busy raising family, loving life, and growing myself. Has something changed? Keep up the intriguing posts! Thanks.
Thank you Ardith. And I do believe we'll see a major shift in the construct of retirement as a result of Gen X and even Millennials.