It might be different for younger generations. The automobile isn’t quite the same symbol of freedom and independence it once was. For many, it’s a symbol of subjugation, to be stuck in the rat race with a daily commute. There are also fewer “third spaces” that young people want to go and hang out in, and much more of people’s free time is being spent online at home. Even when the currently younger generations grow old and lose their automobiles, they probably still won’t understand what made it so hard for Baby Boomers to give up their keys.
I'm a gen xer and I can totally relate to that loss, if and when I should make it to those years. But agreed, maybe the newer generations. My 3 daughters are in their 30s, only one drives.
It is easy to see how not being able to drive is so much harder on your self esteem and happiness than most people realize. I’m taking notes for when I get to that point. I’m going to find a place that allows me to walk to most places I want to visit!
My dad (80) has the same issue but he's still driving. I'm concerned but he can barely walk, and can't run, bike or swim. His only source of physical exercise is the rowing machine, which is boring. His car is one of his last autonomous spaces, and it probably does give him a small feeling of usefulness to go get groceries or whatever. Riffing off Wolliver, it's ironic because I'd give up the privilege (which I don't really appreciate) just so he could drive freely and safely. Se la vie.
I just drove from Virginia to NJ. Five and one-half hours. My wife, who has a degenerative neurological disease at 73, relinquished driving when she began to experience double vision. As a result, I need to drive everywhere. Your essay is a very good reminder of what she must be feeling even though no one took her keys away. I will redouble my effort to understand how she no longer is able to enjoy the freedom she had, and I know she is very angry about it.
I'm 86 and voluntarily gave up driving about three years ago after eye surgery. Family members offer to take me, and I have easy access to all the conveniences. There is always Uber, too. I never liked to drive, anyway, so it was a relief - in some ways.
But I also feel the downside of that decision: I can't be quite as independent as I want to be, and I'm not in control of my life in the same way..
It's commendable that you took a step a lot of seniors are unwilling to take. I know it's painful but you took the big picture view and put your life in the context of others' safety. I went through hell getting my parents' licenses revoked after neighbors started calling me with alarming reports about their driving.
As I told my family I did not want to risk the safety of other people or my own safety by continuing to drive. Too many seniors refuse to face the facts.
I rather thought this was about the privileges that we acquire as we get older and (hopefully) more competent, and then many lose as we age. I know people who are much younger than I and were vastly more comfortable with technology, who have had to give up much of their electronic “life” because of physical issues.
It might be different for younger generations. The automobile isn’t quite the same symbol of freedom and independence it once was. For many, it’s a symbol of subjugation, to be stuck in the rat race with a daily commute. There are also fewer “third spaces” that young people want to go and hang out in, and much more of people’s free time is being spent online at home. Even when the currently younger generations grow old and lose their automobiles, they probably still won’t understand what made it so hard for Baby Boomers to give up their keys.
I'm a gen xer and I can totally relate to that loss, if and when I should make it to those years. But agreed, maybe the newer generations. My 3 daughters are in their 30s, only one drives.
It is easy to see how not being able to drive is so much harder on your self esteem and happiness than most people realize. I’m taking notes for when I get to that point. I’m going to find a place that allows me to walk to most places I want to visit!
sounds good to me.
Man. Soon there will be self driving cars in the market. Don’t lose hope
My dad (80) has the same issue but he's still driving. I'm concerned but he can barely walk, and can't run, bike or swim. His only source of physical exercise is the rowing machine, which is boring. His car is one of his last autonomous spaces, and it probably does give him a small feeling of usefulness to go get groceries or whatever. Riffing off Wolliver, it's ironic because I'd give up the privilege (which I don't really appreciate) just so he could drive freely and safely. Se la vie.
It’s diffult but tell him from one man in his eighties to another, don’t drive, please.
I just drove from Virginia to NJ. Five and one-half hours. My wife, who has a degenerative neurological disease at 73, relinquished driving when she began to experience double vision. As a result, I need to drive everywhere. Your essay is a very good reminder of what she must be feeling even though no one took her keys away. I will redouble my effort to understand how she no longer is able to enjoy the freedom she had, and I know she is very angry about it.
I have no doubt that she is angry about it because that’s how I have always felt
I'm 86 and voluntarily gave up driving about three years ago after eye surgery. Family members offer to take me, and I have easy access to all the conveniences. There is always Uber, too. I never liked to drive, anyway, so it was a relief - in some ways.
But I also feel the downside of that decision: I can't be quite as independent as I want to be, and I'm not in control of my life in the same way..
I completely empathize.
It's commendable that you took a step a lot of seniors are unwilling to take. I know it's painful but you took the big picture view and put your life in the context of others' safety. I went through hell getting my parents' licenses revoked after neighbors started calling me with alarming reports about their driving.
As I told my family I did not want to risk the safety of other people or my own safety by continuing to drive. Too many seniors refuse to face the facts.
Fucking boomers can make everything about them. So sick of you all.
I rather thought this was about the privileges that we acquire as we get older and (hopefully) more competent, and then many lose as we age. I know people who are much younger than I and were vastly more comfortable with technology, who have had to give up much of their electronic “life” because of physical issues.
But your mileage may vary.