I just realized my generation might make cooler parents and grandparents

Calgary, Alberta
July 5, 2016 6:00am CST
My parents are annoyingly close minded when it comes to technology and Geek culture. They opposed everything I enjoyed like Anime, Videogames and comicbooks. They think the music I enjoyed sucks and everything from their generation is the bomb. I am now 31 and everything I enjoyed from my childhood, I still enjoy as in I didn't outgrew them. I don't really like most mainstream music these days but I do still enjoy some new music. In the case of my parents they stopped enjoying any new stuff after 1970's. I actually enjoy movies older than me and stuff from my generation but that didnt stop me from enjoying stuff created for the new generation. As a Kid, There is a gap between me and my parents/grandparents because they were stuck on their era. I think when I get older I will actually get along with my future kids and grand kids. I think many parents failed to make kids like stuff from their generation because they forced it to them and hate what they like. I won't be as close minded as my parents became. We are in an Era where 40 year olds play videogames , read comicbooks and watch anime. It is very different from my generation where parents are so closeminded.
9 people like this
15 responses
@Shavkat (139790)
• Philippines
5 Jul 16
I guess old folks are afraid to change. My parents are also in a Jurassic era. They are contented at this point of time and don't want to experience new things.
2 people like this
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
Are yours super conservative? Mine thinks everything modern is a work of Satan.
1 person likes this
• Calgary, Alberta
12 Jul 16
@Shavkat oh my conservative people are annoyingly cute,
@Shavkat (139790)
• Philippines
6 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker I am not. I heard that Satan works in listening to music. A Muslim lady told me before.
@much2say (55556)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Jul 16
It's possible that every generation thinks they are cooler than the one before! Well, we've had a lot of jumps in technology in our time . . . things were going at a slower pace for our parents and their parents. We have been exposed to so much more, old and new - our knowledge about things is just broader. But knowing you, you just might be cooler than your kids or even grandkids!
1 person likes this
@much2say (55556)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jul 16
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Jul 16
I have to agree with this - Captain can be cooler Dude to his kids and even Grand kids. He has "it"
1 person likes this
• Philippines
10 Jul 16
Agree with this. Each generation tries to be better or different from their parents.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
5 Jul 16
My parents love music from the 60's and the 70's and they were never interested in the bands that were popular when I was a teenager. I listened to some of their old records, but they hated the music I liked I prefer music from the past decades, but I try to be openminded and sometimes I listen to new music.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
8 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker My parents are the same way. They love Beatles and their old jazz records, but they don't like modern music. My brother loved techno. My mother really hated his cds
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
Our parents seemed to be from the same generation. They frown about everything I found interesting. They were stuck on their era and they kept on criticizing and rejecting everything that is modern.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Jul 16
I think it is not the close minded thing but the fact that they find it difficult to understand many of the things and they are too old to learn via experimenting. Our generation has seen both parts of the world - some of theirs and some of ours. So we balance it better. Probably it happens with all generations.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55556)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Jul 16
@thesids I think so too. Our generation has been exposed to so much knowledge - a broader spectrum of knowledge - thanks to the advancement of the information highway . . . something our parents and generations before did not have. I just wonder what will happen in the generation of our kids - already I can see they have even more exposure than I ever did as a kid. Maybe we won't be so cool as we think !
1 person likes this
@much2say (55556)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jul 16
@thesids I know that song - and yes, every generation does blame the one before. But interestingly people have not exactly learned their lessons and history seems continually repeats itself. And it's true too that our kids generation is missing out on particular experiences that we had. These experiences, I think, taught us how to solve basic problems in life and how to be resourceful. I try to fight the fight and do not allow my kids to get in too much screen/gadget time (in that sense, I must be the uncoolest parent ever). I try to give them opportunities to engage in activities without these electronics. They might not understand why right now . . . but in the long run I think it will truly be beneficial to them - and maybe then I will be appreciated for being cool that way.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
5 Jul 16
@much2say For sure we wont be cool in the eyes of our kids just as our parents dont normally seem to be cool to us. I remember a song from Mike and the Mechanics - Every Generation blames the one before... As for our kids - I think they are surely missing out on many things that we did have and we enjoyed - today;s kids are all good upto an age, and then they start getting addicted to TV, Internet, handsets... gadgets are all good, but they make them lazy and even more forgetful - I recall a discussion from someone wherein they needed a calculator to find out answers to almost everyday arithmetic.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471294)
• Switzerland
5 Jul 16
I think that not all were the same. I am 60, I still play videogames, I never liked comic books, but I love music and I can appreciate some modern musics and song when I hear some. May be the fact not to have children, we stayed younger.
1 person likes this
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
My parents have this weird belief that everything animated is for kids and should not be watched by adults .My mom thinks videogames is the creation of the devil.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471294)
• Switzerland
6 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker It's weird, I suppose that your Mom is about my age.
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
5 Jul 16
Hmm... might.be okaywith the future kids.around me.
1 person likes this
• Calgary, Alberta
5 Jul 16
You might be taking selfies around them. Our generation wont be as closeminded like the ones from the past.
2 people like this
@msiduri (5687)
• United States
5 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker There hasn't been a generation that hasn't said this of their elders. Really. No new thing under the sun.
2 people like this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
5 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker haha. Not a kj with them. Lol
• Philippines
10 Jul 16
Hi Captain. Long time, eh? With response to your discussion, I think that yes that our generation might be considered more cool and lax towards the younger generation. There is something that changes every generation and that generation reflects that. Our generation might have something better or worse than our predecessor and that is something for the younger to consider. However, I also think that as we grow older we tend to be more prgamatic towards issues, concerns and attitude - perhaps thesame as our parents. But it will take time to see what changes we do and what things we retain.
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
What you are saying is the world is changing with every new generation and eventually the older ones are not around to influence anymore?
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
They can still can. Internet helped many younger generations discover movies, music and culture from the past. they have that advantage.
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker Are we talking about the same thing? Generations do leave things around and I agree computers keep good records for future generations. I meant the people themselves are in the ground. The future will up to the children of today. I get your idea here and agree a generation gap with our parents but someday our children will be the old folks too.
@skysnap (20153)
5 Jul 16
True. I am too 31. I realize not being bossy and conservative will have me better oldage.
• Calgary, Alberta
5 Jul 16
We wont be as close minded and grumpy for sure. We will be able to keep up with the new generation.
@skysnap (20153)
5 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker yeah but life looks too boring in 30s for me as a single person. i don't want to get old and single in 60s or 70s though. Hope it stays fun till 50 and that's it.
@gudheart (12659)
7 Jul 16
LOL lazier but cooler yep :D I think I will be one that would still like playing video games and watching movies until 50-60.
• Calgary, Alberta
7 Jul 16
I think it is something I will do on my deathbed.
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
5 Jul 16
I am not sure! some dodgy pictures of yourself exposing various parts on instagram.. is not something a grandchild need to see!
1 person likes this
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
I never mentioned instagram on this post though. My point is I will get to enjoy what kids of the future will enjoy because I am not stuck on my era. I will play videogames with my kids instead of telling them it's againt's Jesus just like my bible thumping parents were to me. They hate technology and they insult everything I like.
1 person likes this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
6 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker yes, I realise that... But I want to point out, just because you personally may make cooler parent & grandparent.. doesn't mean "our generation" will.. in fact, I think some of them will make the most appalling ones yet
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Jul 16
I'm from the generation you don't like and I only have this to say, I hate to think what the kids will be like that your generation fosters. They will be out and out brats with no discipline whatsoever. You guys have none now. I know you like your anime and video games. My son is a 30 something and he does too. What I have noticed about him though is that he does have respect for his elders, something I did instill in him. I don't see that very often in your generation. It exists, but not very much. Kids need discipline. My parents knew it and so did my grandparents. Dr. Spock believed kids shouldn't be disciplined so we have the generation we have today. God help us all when your generation has kids and comes to power. It's bad enough with what I'm seeing today with kids your age.
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
Being cool doesnt mean you wont discipline kids. My parents tried to be bad cops to me because they want me to be the perfect son mold and guess what it destroyed their relationship with me. They never allowed me to have fun, All they want me to do is to study and go to church. They didnt allow me to have a childhood and they think everything I enjoyed is bad. Being a cool parents means you will bond with your children and you will enjoy their passions with them instead for forcing them to fit a mold. There are many cool parents who have kids who are achievers. Most kids were not appreciative of older music not because it is not from their generation but because their parents kept on degrading what their kids like. There is a difference between spoiling and being cool. Being cool means you will also be a friend to your kids instead of the grumpy bad cop. I actually listen to 1930's music so that means I am also open minded to stuff older than me. My generation is more open minded and less know it all. Just because I have bitterness from my parents, it doesnt mean I am not disrespectful to the elderly. I was a volunteer to an elderly home for 3 years.
1 person likes this
• Calgary, Alberta
7 Jul 16
@just4him There is right execution for everything. Discipline for sure is important but being a bad cop who decpreciates your child's passion will cause a division that cannot be cured until it they grew up. Being super strict and religious makes me cut ties with my parents and never want to see them again. There is a thing known as balance. There is limit for everything but that doesnt mean you wont allow the kid to have fun. Video games didnt make me a dumb Satanic school shooter just like what my parents thinks it will make me. It improved my hand and eye coordination and it help me in my problem solving skills. It is actually the reason why I kept my sanity because my parents are hell to live with. Being cool doesnt mean you will spoil the kid. It means you will also be a friend instead of a close minded authority figure who is feared instead of loved.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Jul 16
@CaptAlbertWhisker My son has tried your approach to parenting. It doesn't work. My grandson expects his father to do whatever he wants him to. It doesn't work that way. And my son will not do whatever his son wants him to, and it infuriates my grandson, who then goes to his other grandmother who will do whatever he asks of her. No, I don't give him whatever he wants either. My son didn't get full custody of his son until he was 14 and by then he was a complete spoiled brat by his mother and grandmother as well as his uncles. When he moved into my home, he had a very rude awakening about how things and life is really done around here. Disrespect is the number one thing he has for both me and his father. I don't appreciate it, and his father won't tolerate it. I'm glad you have some respect for the elderly, and I'm sorry your parents played bad cop with you.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
5 Jul 16
No matter what the age is, one can still be a techie or a geek if he likes it; just put some interest on it so he can catch up with what his children thinks is "cool." It is just based on one's outlook in life.
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
it is not the case with the older people in my family though. They were too obsessed with their religion to be cool. Coolness is not their priority.
5 Jul 16
I remember when I watched Cartoons or read comic books, my dad used to scold me. He said that I wasted a lot of money on comics(In the 90s, I used to read Tinkle comics, Marvel, DC, and a lot of Indian comics). Comics in India were cheap then. You could buy a 32 page Tinkle issue for INR 7. The exchange rate then was 1USD= INR 45. Like most Indian dads, he even whacked me with a stick for playing video games till late. He always said that their generation worked very hard and struggled all their life and made it big.
• Calgary, Alberta
6 Jul 16
My parents are like that too. My dad thinks Prime time news should be the only show to be watched on tv and my mom thinks soap operas should be the only shows to be watched on tv. They oppose every show I like because "its for kids"
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
7 Jul 16
Good thing , my parents aren't like them . They also enjoy whatever we enjoy . And that is how me and my husband also with regards our daughter .