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It's become a rite of passage in America: when you turn 50, you get a copy of the AARP magazine along with a membership form in the mail. AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) has long been a political force in the nation's capital, advocating for health insurance coverage and against cuts to Social Security and Medicare. With roughly 40 million members, AARP is one of the largest interest groups in the United States.
Earlier this year, a new group formed to advocate for Americans under the age of 30. (Apparently, if you're between 30 and 50, you're on your own.) The group, called "Our Time," doesn't charge for membershipb (unlike AARP). Our Time also chose to forgo a print publication, focusing on online communication as they advocate for young business owners and offer discounts on health insurance, among other things. Other groups, such as Portland-based Bus Project, have chosen to focus on engaging young people in politics at the local as well as the national level.
Do you belong to AARP, Our Time or another group focused on your generation? What are the benefits of forming advocacy groups based on age? What are the issues you're fighting for specifcally because of how old you are right now?
Tagged as: babyboomer · elderly · generation x · generation y · millenial · senior
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