Why should the young and elderly stay?

by Kathryn Urick

Published April 1986 in the Ames Tribune

(This article is part of a continuing conversation about the future of Ames. Some 50 Ames residents were asked to give their thoughts on the future of the city. Throughout the series they are writing as citizens rather than as representatives of any particular group or profession to which they belong. Readers are invited to comment on what they read and thus become a part of the dialogue on Ames’ future.)

Fifty years DOWN the road – better to be more positive and say 50 years UP the road?

I was asked to contribute an article on this topic. At first, my reaction was – “horrors – I cant’ do it – I don’t even know 80 usable words” – and anyway, I wasn’t anxious to make a fool of myself. Then I was privileged to hear a member of the Iowa Legislature speak in Ames. After I listened to what he had to say, I started thinking AND wondering AND worrying (?) I’m NOT really worrying though – its more like constantly wondering how in the world the State of Iowa or the City of Ames, can become a better place when our educated young, in the age group of 20-35 years (I took notes ) are in exodus from this State. Another group joining the exodus seems to be those in the age group of 60-65 years.

I GUESS I wasn’t surprised at the first group’s leaving Iowa for where are all the jobs for these young people after they receive the much-sought-after degree? As they see their dreams disappear they must be shocked into a state of glassy-eyed incredulousness. – NO JOBS!

And I can’t help wondering where are the corporations and industries, who ,normally, would be looking forward to welcoming these educated youth with their new ideas, with their dreams of becoming managers, supervisors, the thinkers and writers of the future, the entrepreneurs, inventors, etc. not to mention the dashed hopes of hour future young, would-be farmers who long to carry on the tradition of their family farm, of marrying and raising a wonderful family on the farmland of Iowa. If there are some deep, dark sinister secrets which will partly explain why this is happening, please call me if you have some answers.

It’s not surprising that the second group is joining the exodus – Iowa’s weather might be a factor in their decision to leave. Sun City and warm Florida beckon and are simply too exciting to resist. Then too, maybe Ames, Iowa is not as fulfilling to us in later years as we have been led to believe. From what the papers tell us, with news of new cut/cut/cuts, where will be the funding come from for the programs now organized for the elderly, Congregate Meals, Senior Centers, and entertainment. Paid, professionally trained staff is necessary to promote and conduct these programs, 50 years from now will this still be happening? I wonder again.

The second group can claim me as a member, but don’t look for me on that trek to Sun City or warm Florida. My trek will probably take me to one of the States that is interested in the Senior Aides Program, a program administered by the National Council of Senior Citizens and has been in existence for 17 years. Briefly, this Title V of the Older American’s Act provides minimum wages for Senior who work in schools (4 hours per day). A variety of jobs are included. Its purpose is not only to provide more services, but also to enhance the income of the elderly as well as his self-esteem. (Bananas, now , are $.55 per pound)! Twenty-five states are now promoting this program. Iowa is one of the States, but when I inquired from the powers that be in Ames, nobody had ever heard of it and didn’t seem to be interested. Would anyone have any answers as to why? Call me if you know.

Personally, I’m not too worried about adults – but WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN? I feel our young people (all ages) are endangered. Vance Packard, a noted writer about children said this too in his latest publication, Our Endangered Children (Pub. Little, Brown and Co.) The Governor of Colorado’s latest book Mega-Traumas (Pub. Houghten – Mifflin) brings out this very claim – “the government is abandoning our children.” David Elkind, another child advocate, writer, specialist, gives us some facts in All Grown Up and No Place To Grow. (Pub Addison-Wesley Co.)

These writers all feel the children are being exploited. Exploited not only by greedy, pocket-lining adults, but by sex perverts as well, and by filthy sex education by way of that intruder in everyone’s home, the TV, Pornography fiends, drug pushers, alcohol sellers, the radio and even the telephone play a big part in this exploitation. (If he/she knows the correct number to dial, a youth can listen in to a real lesson). If you readers are honest, you will agree these facts are true. But you may deny – when people don’t have an answer, or don’t want to become involved, they simply ignore ,m or deny the problem exists. The experts plan and hold seminars and workshops galore; they talk – discuss – recommend – but suicides continue and Child Abuses is as bad as ever. Did Margaret Mead say it right when she wrote – “As the child goes, so goes the Nation.” My friend, Mr. Legislator, declares “we need something more than rhetoric” which is bombarding us from Washington and other places. And if you want to really lose sleep, think about the 2/3 Trillion National debt which will saddle my grandchildren and yours. Please call me again if you can help to sooth my restlessness.

A native Iowan I am not – Ohio is where I hailed from a few short years ago, so I am totally unable to recall Iowa’s historic handling of growth and development – to say nothing of decadence which might appear in the next 50 years.

I tuned in on a radio program the other day. The speaker was describing a process whereby if we wonder what Ames will be like in 50 years, we can “be frozen and then at the proper place in time, be thawed out, then we can see.” Funny – true? I, for one, wouldn’t be caught “dead” doing this.