My guess is folks who have kids probably want to live to see those milestone moments which might come tomorrow, or the tomorrow after tomorrow. Graduations, weddings, babies, more graduations, more weddings, more babies etc. While my wife and I don't have that, we find ourselves living that process through our nieces and nephews. My oldest niece recently had a baby and now we find ourselves starting all over in the cycle.
It isn't just about the kids though, is it? It might be easier in some way with kids, but I feel that a lot of people, including parents are just biding their time until death, entertaining themselves passively, rather than actively doing something daily.
No, but for a lot of people that is the case. I mean if it was just about the kids we likely might have tried harder to have them. I'd maybe argue that a lot of it might have to do with what you do for a living. People who work for a non profit or a public school like we do might making their living impacting lives and when that time is done perhaps some passive entertainment is well deserved.
It could be well deserved based on culture, but I also wonder if what someone in that situation deserves, should be something more meaningful. I am not saying that everyone has to cure cancer, but a lot of the retired people I know, are still looking to try and have meaning in their life, but it is more of a struggle in some way. If physically/mentally healthy for a few more decades than we generally are, do we change our culture to design a different set of life practices? If you were 70 and healthy, would you spend your time in front of the TV?
No, I hope to be out walking and doing things with my friends well into my retirement. It might not be camping or disc golf, but even if it is just regular walks around a park I want to stay active. My dad worked in an auto plant for thirty years. When he retired he had the opinion that he stood on his feet for thirty years, now he shouldn't have to. I really believe his low activity has led to some of the medical problems he now has, so I want to avoid that.
Exactly, ‘The Cycle of Life’. Life is a pendulum that starts from the very moment of conception in the mother's womb and ends with death, there is no escape.