Silver Age: what is the most important thing to be happy?

For some, these are the “golden years”, without the excessive ambition of youth or the pressures or mandates.

The term "silver generation" or "silver" (in reference to gray hair) gains more force to name

, who are breaking down stereotypes, prejudices, ageism and the pathologizing gaze of that stage of life. life.

Drawing on the lessons and experience of this demographic, where so much seems to take on a different perspective, netizens post short videos of interviewees' responses to the question: "

".

"Appreciate your friends and family", "You are special, appreciate those who see that in you", "tell the people you love that you care a lot".

Dr.

, adjunct researcher at CONICET and adjunct professor at the Second Chair of Work Psychology at the UBA, has studied the effects of retirement on adults over 60 in Buenos Aires and highlights

and their impact on individual mental health.

"In the investigations carried out by the team to which I belong, it was observed that when they stop working,

."

"Despite the fact that various authors point out that our social support networks decrease as we age, many studies highlight that this does not necessarily imply that people are less satisfied with them.

," explains Hermida.

What is the most important thing to be happy?

"Those who are more satisfied with their social support networks have greater psychological well-being," explains the specialist.

(Photo: illustration Shutterstock)

In this sense, in a survey in which 1,227 people participated carried out by Círculo Ten, a digital community of people over 50 years of age,

, far above financial status or recognition and fame.

The financial situation is still a weighty factor, but having support networks is a priority for most.

In other words, the challenge of finding a balance between work and sexual-affective and friendship ties is still present.

With

, the number of people past retirement age who continue to work is higher than it was several decades ago.

A

estimated that the population over 60 years of age will increase from 2017 to 2030 at an average annual rate of 3.5%, and that "in the period from 2030 to 2060 it will do so at an even faster rate , since the estimated growth rate for that period is 5.1% per year”.

And, although the estimates were made before the COVID-19 pandemic, the coronavirus does not appear to have reversed the trend in Latin America.

Estimates indicate that there would be an annual increase of 3.5% in the population over 60 years of age between 2017 and 2030. (Photo: illustration Shutterstock)

In this regard, the researcher indicates that, in addition to various circumstances such as the

of a part of the retired population, "other issues come into play, associated with the

for people once they have retired.”

Hermida points out that, even today, the presence of

and the

is present.

Those expressions can slip through even well-intentioned acts.

It is enough to remember the case of the fan of Villa Luro to whom the fans composed the harangue "grandmother, la-la-la-la-la" in full World Cup fever, even though she indicated that she was not, that she had no grandsons or granddaughters.

María Cristina, the neighbor of Villa Luro who generated a song that went viral: "Grandma la-la-la-la-la", although she has no grandchildren.

Photo: Mario Quinteros.

“Productivity, socially, is associated with work,

.

From there, someone who does not work can be seen as someone who is not useful and, even more, who is an economic burden on society.

This is a great danger, which exposes the multiple existing social

”, adds Hermida.

Making friends after fifty: a challenge

76% of the participants believe that it is very difficult to meet people their age (Photo: illustration Shutterstock)

Some friendships are known "for life" and others arise in middle age and are consolidated over time.

Good friends are one of the cornerstones in anyone's quality of life.

But the survey showed that

and that instances and places are lacking.

Hermida warns: “The link with other people is essential.

For people it is structuring, at all ages”.

Hence, isolation is one of the worrying factors.

The researcher also points out that "in various studies a correlation has been observed between isolation, the appearance of depressive symptoms and the impoverishment of quality of life".

Doing activities that you enjoy is a great way to meet people to build new bonds.

(Photo: illustration Shutterstock)

How can you make friends after 50 or 60?

The doctor advises that activities "just to interact with others" be avoided if they do not generate interest in the person.

Instead, and although it can be very challenging, Hermida recommends "being able to

. In these activities, I will surely

. This will make it possible to build new links."

73

;

16% responded that it is better if they are introduced by a mutual friend or family member;

and 11% confirm that they have met people through the use of social networks.

Social platforms and networks are also presented as a tool to create and maintain significant links.

(Photo: illustration Shutterstock)

There are more and more users of online platforms and

, one of the founders of Círculo Ten, tells

that this is one of the objectives of the launch of the application.

“We use technology as a bridge to connect people who would otherwise be impossible to meet, from different countries and cultures, further expanding the possibilities of creating ties and networks,” explains Herrera.

It is that, nowadays, meeting spaces are not only in a physical place, but also in virtual communities, groups with mutual interests, chat rooms with dozens of members and social network pages.

look also

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What will the "retirees of the future" be like: in search of happiness

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