For the most part, I am not easily offended. I take a lot of things people say with a grain of salt and go on with my day. However the other day I was taken back by what someone said about someone I loved.
The other day some people were having a group discussion about watching Television as a kid. I brought up the point that I had a TV but we only had the 5 basic channels. I also said how thankful I was that my parents never let us have a TV with a lot of channels because I know that for most people, it can be a very addictive habit. After I explained my situation as a kid, a close peer told me that my Mother was a hippie and that is why we didn't have TV. I quickly responded with, "I really don't think she is." They then told me that she lived through the 60's and 70's so I should trust her that she is a hippie.
I am sorry but just because you live through a certain era, doesn't automatically make you fit the stereotype for that era. I lived through the 90's, does that automatically make me just like Britney Spears, because I can promise you that I don't have two kids, been through a divorce, and tried my hand at drugs. Just because my Mom didn't want us to have a TV, doesn't mean she is a hippie. As a kid, my Mom wanted us to realize that there is more in life than to stay inside and watch TV all day long.
I want to blame this misunderstanding on age, but I know that isn't the case. What is hard is that this peer isn't my age, they are older and have also lived through the 60's and 70's, so they know the stereotypes too. I just want to encourage people to be very careful when talking about stereotypes when age is involved. Keep in mind that not all girls that lived through the Miley Cyrus years are going to end up twerking and all guys who watch Michael Phelps swim in the Olympics are going to end up with a DUI. It's funny how the people who know the least about you, always have the most to say.
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