Growing old in America

The Pew Research group is out with a survey that says growing old in America isn’t as bad as people think it is. It also isn’t as good as people think it is.

Among 18 to 29 year-olds, about half say they feel their age, while about quarter say they feel older than their age and another quarter say they feel younger. By contrast, among adults 65 and older, fully 60% say they feel younger than their age, compared with 32% who say they feel exactly their age and just 3% who say they feel older than their age.

What’s the matter with you whippersnappers? You feel your age? At 18-29?

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The survey also appears to settle the debate about when old age begins. 68.

But, of course, it’s all a matter of perspective. In its profile of Jay Smooth on All Things Considered on Monday, NPR referred to him as “an aging hip-hopper …. he’s 36.”

And, no doubt, feeling his age.