Are Today’s
Quarterlifers Redefining Freedom
BY JASON C. STEINLE, DC
“When I 20, I was supporting myself,” said Arthur, age
70. “My wife and I had a child at home and a second one on the way.”
Today,
life in the
Take
financial freedom for example. If you’re over 50 it means having enough passive
income to be able to support your lifestyle for the rest of your life. For
quarterlifers financial freedom is enough saved money to be able to travel for
a year.
If
you’re in your 50s and 60s job freedom is the security of staying dedicated to
a position until you’re granted seniority, tenure and a retirement plan. For
quarterlifers it means the flexibility to move, travel and switch jobs without
feeling tied down.
Finally
for people in their 50s and beyond relationship freedom resulted from marrying
young and knowing that your friends and family would no longer be concerned
about you becoming an old maid or hermit. For quarterlifers it means the
opposite. It’s the freedom to explore and grow as an individual before jumping
into a committed relationship, even if it means delaying marriage into your 30s
and 40s.
So
how can one generation be so different?
They are you’re children…right?
The reason
for the change is the same motivating factor that has been responsible for
every generational shift. A defiance of
the way things are and the belief that “our generation” can do better.
Next
time you get frustrated with your son or daughter. Stop and ask yourself what
is different about life today than when I was growing up. You may realize that
quarterlifers live in the aftermath of soaring divorce rates, stock market
scandals, and corporate layoffs. Its not
that quarterlifers have the answers, it’s just that like previous generations
quarterlifers are looking for something else.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2002-2005
Jason C Steinle the host
of The Steinle Show talk radio and
television programs. He is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Director of Health and Harmony Chiropractic and
Wellness Center in Evergreen, CO. Jason is also the author of Upload
Experience: Quarterlife Solutions which is available at www.amazon.com and at www.uploadexperience.com