Making Each Generation Count
- Mohd Prasad
- December 14, 2018
- 4:13 pm
Making Each Generation Count
Mohd Prasad
As Malaysia matures, we will likely see a larger older population. As this generation gets older, many of them look at their approaching retirement date as a dreadful day. Many who retire do not know what to do with themselves as they are suddenly pigeon-holed as a “retiree”.
Retirement is a dreadful word for a life transition. It tells you that you are no more a productive worker, or member of the society. We need to stop this label. The Government should not dictate when a person should retire unless they wish to retire or they retire because of health reasons.
An employer should have the choice to keep the person employed after a certain age. Does it make sense that a person’s creative power fades away after a certain age? Or suddenly switched off at a certain age? Do they suddenly turn into non-functioning, non-creative human beings overnight?
I suggest Malaysia takes the first step in abolishing “retirement” altogether.
- Let the person or the business decide when the person should or can retire. Our Prime Minister is functioning well into his 90s.
- Let schools be an elderly education center at night. We can teach the elderly an array of skills – things they never thought they could or would learn. They have the time to explore and have fun.
- Employ them in hospitals to help with the paperwork or general upkeep.
- Employ them in schools to help the teachers with their paperwork or even upkeeping of the schools.
Teach them social entrepreneurship!
These are just a few ideas. But with a bit more thought, tenacity, resolve and political will, these ideas can become a reality.
Let’s cherish every generation.
Just my two cents.