Age

Does your culture value old age or youth, or some age in the middle? Give examples. How do you refer to the various ages of people? What do you consider young, old, middle-age etc.?

In the U.S., there is a generation of people born between about 1946 and 1959 that are called the “baby boom” generation. After World War II, many couples began to start families and have children. As this generation has moved through each decade, marketing and advertising has focused on it.

We often speak of a “generation gap”. This means that people of different ages have different ways of doing things and may not understand each other. In the U.S., we tend to name our generations – like the baby boomers, the Gen-Xers and now there is talk of Generation Y. Does your native culture name its generations? If so, give examples of different generations with different experiences in your country. How do these different generations relate to each other?

How does relative age affect friendship? Can you be friends with someone ten years older than yourself? Why or why not? How does an age difference affect your way of communicating with someone?

Would you consider marrying someone much older or younger than yourself? How would your parents or your friends react if you chose to marry someone much older or younger than yourself?

Do you or did you seek out people older than yourself for advice? Have you ever had a mentor? Or if you are old now, do you seek out young people to be around? Explain.

Do you feel your age? Are you happy with your age? Do you have any regrets about growing up or growing older? Do you look forward to old age or dread it? Why or why not? Do you have any desire to be younger or “young again?” Why or why not?

We speak of the “young of heart” at any age from 9 months to 99 years. Do you agree with this concept?

Some Bible passages about age:

“Gray hair is a glorious crown. You get it by living the right way.” Proverbs 16:31

“Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers.” 1 Tim 4:12

“We live to be about 70. Or we may live to be 80, if we stay healthy. But all that time is filled with trouble and sorrow. The years quickly pass, and we are gone . . . Teach us to realize how short our lives are. Then our hearts will become wise. . . Satisfy us with your faithful love every morning. Then we can sing with joy and be glad all of our days.”

Sections of Psalm 90, a prayer to God by Moses