But I don't wanna go home
Okay, how many of us want to get a job after college?
Thought so, and how many of us would like to one day retire?
Again, figured as much.
How many of us would like to eventually get thrown out of our jobs regardless of our circumstances because we hit a certain age? Hm. . . . Alright, if it seems like I'm asking questions that I obviously know the answer to it's because I am, and it's obvious that there's a good chance of all the above happening.
I'm referring of course to the last issue: forced retirement. The idea is simple, let the long-time loyal employees go home to enjoy the rest of their lives and make room for a fresh generation filled with ideas and creativity to take over. At first glance all seems quite well, but sending the elderly home to play when they'd rather work is - like many other things, related or no - much more complicated.
Retirement was at first financed by families that could afford it, and if your kids couldn't support you than you simply worked until Old Ned came a' knockin.' But with the advent of pensions and better programs supporting those that were unable to work it became far more practical for people to stop working (in most places the age usually range from 60-70 and in Canada and US it stands at 65).
The initial problem with letting go of your most experienced and respected employees is that you are letting go of your more experienced and respected employees for no real reason. These are the people that have been trained and, probably, have trained others. They know the ropes in a way that only the passing of time can teach and forcing that out the door “just because” seems quite nonsensical.
However, at the time (19th to 20th centuries, depending on where retirement was introduced), people didn't usually live much longer than 65, so at the time it really wasn't an issue. Unfortunately, policy hasn't exactly kept up with lifestyle. People live longer now and can work later into their lives with little or no hindrance in ability or performance.
This tends to affect certain fields much more than others. Academia seems to have the biggest issue with this policy, but other fields such as banking and air piloting seem to have their own issues with it. The first concern is that age is said to have a decaying effect on the mind and in these professions that is a major issue. But the argument is clear: people are living longer and healthier, and if at 65 people are still capable of working, why should they not be able to if that's what they want?
Another issue with letting so many “seniors” go is that eventually, that great big baby boom is going to start - well, to be frank about it - collapsing on itself and there won't be enough young'uns to fill in the gaps, never mind support the aging population (but I'm sure you've heard all about that particular problem).
Even with, most people still choose to retire at around the age of 65 (62 is the average in this country) the point is that some people may want to work full-time after that age and, if capable, why shouldn't they? Many retirees still end up working part-time or getting involved with the community somehow for, if nothing else, something to do.
So, to retire this article (see what I did there? Man, am I ever clever) one can't help but ask, “just what will happen when a group of smart ass, spoiled kids (a.k.a. us) dive into the work force to replace a generation of overpopulated, competitive, hard-working adults being torn from their careers (a.k.a. mom and dad)?” Well, it looks like we're just going to have to wait and see.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Thought so, and how many of us would like to one day retire?
Again, figured as much.
How many of us would like to eventually get thrown out of our jobs regardless of our circumstances because we hit a certain age? Hm. . . . Alright, if it seems like I'm asking questions that I obviously know the answer to it's because I am, and it's obvious that there's a good chance of all the above happening.
I'm referring of course to the last issue: forced retirement. The idea is simple, let the long-time loyal employees go home to enjoy the rest of their lives and make room for a fresh generation filled with ideas and creativity to take over. At first glance all seems quite well, but sending the elderly home to play when they'd rather work is - like many other things, related or no - much more complicated.
Retirement was at first financed by families that could afford it, and if your kids couldn't support you than you simply worked until Old Ned came a' knockin.' But with the advent of pensions and better programs supporting those that were unable to work it became far more practical for people to stop working (in most places the age usually range from 60-70 and in Canada and US it stands at 65).
The initial problem with letting go of your most experienced and respected employees is that you are letting go of your more experienced and respected employees for no real reason. These are the people that have been trained and, probably, have trained others. They know the ropes in a way that only the passing of time can teach and forcing that out the door “just because” seems quite nonsensical.
However, at the time (19th to 20th centuries, depending on where retirement was introduced), people didn't usually live much longer than 65, so at the time it really wasn't an issue. Unfortunately, policy hasn't exactly kept up with lifestyle. People live longer now and can work later into their lives with little or no hindrance in ability or performance.
This tends to affect certain fields much more than others. Academia seems to have the biggest issue with this policy, but other fields such as banking and air piloting seem to have their own issues with it. The first concern is that age is said to have a decaying effect on the mind and in these professions that is a major issue. But the argument is clear: people are living longer and healthier, and if at 65 people are still capable of working, why should they not be able to if that's what they want?
Another issue with letting so many “seniors” go is that eventually, that great big baby boom is going to start - well, to be frank about it - collapsing on itself and there won't be enough young'uns to fill in the gaps, never mind support the aging population (but I'm sure you've heard all about that particular problem).
Even with, most people still choose to retire at around the age of 65 (62 is the average in this country) the point is that some people may want to work full-time after that age and, if capable, why shouldn't they? Many retirees still end up working part-time or getting involved with the community somehow for, if nothing else, something to do.
So, to retire this article (see what I did there? Man, am I ever clever) one can't help but ask, “just what will happen when a group of smart ass, spoiled kids (a.k.a. us) dive into the work force to replace a generation of overpopulated, competitive, hard-working adults being torn from their careers (a.k.a. mom and dad)?” Well, it looks like we're just going to have to wait and see.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
