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Aging Boomers Want Hipper Label Than 'Grandpa'

Forever Young generation outgrows stereotypical grandparent tags

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 23, 2009 11:03 AM CST

(Newser) – As baby boomers become grandparents, the generation that never wanted to get old is grappling with maturity. Many new grandparents are dodging the bullets of age by avoiding typical “Grandma,” “Grandpa,” and “Bubbe” labels, the Wall Street Journal reports. Preferring to retain her glamour, one 56-year-old wants to go by Glamma, while her husband, a physician, will be Papa Doc.

“I didn't see myself as a Bubbe,” said Glamma. “That’s someone from the old country, who has an accent, looks frumpy and wears a babushka.” Other names include Coco (after Chanel) and Sheriff. “My name should be special, a way to individualize the relationship, put some personality—and wit—into it,” says Sheriff, a 58-year-old writer who also answers to Lefty.

Boomer grandparents aren't keen on classic grandparent monikers.
Boomer grandparents aren't keen on classic grandparent monikers.   (Shutterstock)
That whole generation is reinventing old age, says an AARP exec.
"That whole generation is reinventing old age," says an AARP exec.   (Shutterstock)
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I didn't want to be called 'Grandpa.' A grandpa is a stereotype—someone who has white hair, is hunched over and pees involuntarily. - Alan Zweibel, 58, comedy writer

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Guest
Jan 26, 2009 6:03 AM CST
Oh get a life drlarrymitchell.
Riffran
Jan 24, 2009 9:00 PM CST
My name is G Daddy , and I'm here to say I fixodent my grill most every day they got the plain, the mint, the wintergreen for you it works real good and it helps me chew! So go to the dentist, thats what you do, get your grill work done or have dentures too lol.....being mindfull of,and utilizing traditional titles, does not equate "cliche" status. And as for imagination...I have that in abundance. AND you are right, people have the right to be called whatever they want to be called.....regardless of how silly or cliche it might be, and "we " have the right to to get a good laugh out of it....Have a nice day
drlarrymitchell
Jan 23, 2009 9:35 PM CST
Grandpa and Grandma are tired old cliches. People are free to request themselves to be addressed in whatever fashion suits them within their own family, without worrying that people too ignorant to evolve (or worse, without imaginations of their own) might criticize them.
 

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