Is the West's obsession with youth creating difficulties in challenging ‘wokeness’? - Vicki Robinson

Since the ‘Youthquake’ in the 1960s, many Western countries have become obsessed with youth. For decades, we have been bombarded with images of the young and plastic surgery is a huge industry. It hasn’t always been this way. America’s Founding Fathers powdered their wigs grey to appear older and wiser – a far cry from the Botox and anti-wrinkle creams that are so popular today where, according to the Pew Research Center, even Boomers do not consider themselves old until they reach 74.

Rapid tech development has disrupted this by opening up the biggest generation gap since the Youthquake. There are big differences between those who grew up with the internet and those who grew up without it. People who don’t feel old are struggling to understand the young.

Could this explain the surge in negativity towards the young in recent years? Millennials are often dismissed as ‘snowflakes’, despite the oldest turning 40 this year. The young have been blamed for increasing COVID infection rates, with the University of Manchester even erecting prison-like metal barriers around its Fallowfield halls of residence without warning (fortunately, they were removed following vocal student protests).

 There has always been generational conflict and this is encapsulated in Socrates’ famous quote about the young. However, it is surely no coincidence that negativity towards the young increased dramatically with the Millennials coming of age; the first generation to be heavily influenced by the internet in comparison to previous ones. Ironically, some of those belittling the young are likely to be trying to look as youthful as possible themselves.

Are older people concerned about appearing uncool to the young? Could this explain their reluctance to express concerns about things like BLM and gender fluidity? Such movements, though appealing to various ages, are heavily youth-driven. It could explain why media organisations such as the BBC have not adequately critiqued various woke-orientated movements. Indeed, comedian Andrew Doyle believes the BBC is ‘systematically woke’. Are managers reluctant to challenge younger members of staff for fear of feeling like the War Generation criticising Boomer rebellions in the 1960s?

BLM’s desire to tear down statues is more likely to disturb generations who have seen many of their heroes fall with the #MeToo movement. The unnecessary generational conflict has been caused by censorship and tactless content warnings on much-loved TV shows, such as Fawlty Towers, Little Britain and even the relatively recent Mighty Boosh comedy show.

Our society is also being divided up into smaller and smaller generational groups, currently consisting of the War Generation, Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Zoomers/Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Frankly, this is too much – having six generations is excessive considering the average UK life expectancy is around 80 years. Traditionally, a generation changed every 25 years, around the time people first became parents.

Why is this happening? Politics plays a part in this, but nostalgia-based marketing tactics are likely to be a driving force too. This is where companies target specific age groups using the culture of their youth- for example, playing an Oasis song in an advert aimed at those in their 40s. It’s the advertising equivalent of comfort food. Whilst understandable from a business perspective, it is not healthy for a society to divide itself up in such an excessive way.

 Don’t Divide Us, an affiliate of The Equiano Project, promotes overcoming mental barriers about race. We need to do the same with age. So much is not working in Western society that there are very real fears that an angry and disaffected youth may destroy the good as well as the bad. In reality, most of us want positive change and improved opportunities.

Youthful rebellion is healthy. The young are less attached to traditional ways of doing things; they often test and challenge the ideas and institutions around them. This is positive for all of us – it is how we evolve our culture and society. But, it must be balanced by the experience and wisdom of age. When youthful idealism joins forces with mature experience, powerful practical change can occur. The best way to improve society is to work together. A good New Year’s resolution would be for us all to expand our generational horizons.

Vicki Robinson

@storiesopinions