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It Takes a Long Time to Become Young: An Entertainment in the Form of a Declaration of War on the Mindless Youth Cult That Has Our Time in Its Grip .
Satchel Paige once asked, sagely, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?”
In this lively, witty book, Garson Kanin makes a strong case for maturity and experience. Here is a vivid indictment of mandatory retirement – the system which wastes the vast accumulated wisdom and energies of mature people – as well as a testimonial to the strength, vigour, and wisdom which they can and do possess.
Modern science has dramatically increased the life span; but, paradoxically, certain forces are attempting to impose an earlier and earlier retirement age, which we are programmed to accept. “Activity does not wear out the human machine and spirit; inactivity does,” replies Mr. Kanin to those who act as if men and women were superfluous for the last thirty of even forty years of their lives.
He demonstrates how forced retirement kills. (“Retirement,” said Hemingway, “is the most loathsome word in the English language.”) He warns the young that this is their problem as well. “Whatever else happens to you, you will most assuredly – if you live – grow older!” And young people should not be talked into fear of maturity. He tells of people who have refused to accept “statutory senility” and relates the amazing story of how the arbitrary “65" came to be the accepted Social Security and retirement age.
Mr. Kanin’s approach is hard-hitting and entertaining. His argument is one that speaks directly to both young and old. It redefines age as a matter of life, not years.
In this lively, witty book, Garson Kanin makes a strong case for maturity and experience. Here is a vivid indictment of mandatory retirement – the system which wastes the vast accumulated wisdom and energies of mature people – as well as a testimonial to the strength, vigour, and wisdom which they can and do possess.
Modern science has dramatically increased the life span; but, paradoxically, certain forces are attempting to impose an earlier and earlier retirement age, which we are programmed to accept. “Activity does not wear out the human machine and spirit; inactivity does,” replies Mr. Kanin to those who act as if men and women were superfluous for the last thirty of even forty years of their lives.
He demonstrates how forced retirement kills. (“Retirement,” said Hemingway, “is the most loathsome word in the English language.”) He warns the young that this is their problem as well. “Whatever else happens to you, you will most assuredly – if you live – grow older!” And young people should not be talked into fear of maturity. He tells of people who have refused to accept “statutory senility” and relates the amazing story of how the arbitrary “65" came to be the accepted Social Security and retirement age.
Mr. Kanin’s approach is hard-hitting and entertaining. His argument is one that speaks directly to both young and old. It redefines age as a matter of life, not years.
185 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
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About the author
Garson Kanin
90 books17 followersGarson Kanin was an American actor, director and writer, working both on stage and screen. He was married to Ruth Gordon, with whom he wrote several screenplays.
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