Senior Australians say political correctness is ruining society – NEWS.com.au

Best of the Web Columnist James Taranto on new evidence that Donald Trump benefited from his plain talk and rejection of politically correct rhetoric. Photo: AP

Older man reprimands young man. Photo from Thinkstock

ATTENTION, Gen Y: Baby Boomers have had it with your political correctness.

New Australian research suggests over 50s are fed up with being told what they can and cant say, and believe young people are the worst offenders.

The survey of 1000 Australians over 50 saw nine in 10 agree political correctness is ruining society, and thought younger generations were too worried about offending people.

According to the CoreData research commissioned by Australian Seniors Insurance Agency, 86 per cent of seniors believed having to be politically correct all the time was ruining society, and 86.6 per cent said it was inauthentic.

Bathurst teacher Vicki Evans is not afraid to admit she loathes political correctness.

The 55-year-old says shes constantly being told off by her three children, all in their 20s, for opinions they say she shouldnt be allowed to express.

Vicki Evans, 55, is done with political correctness. Picture: Vicki Evans/SuppliedSource:Supplied

The number of times I saw something and my kids say oh Mum, you cant say that, she says.

They say you cant make assumptions about things, but I think you can make observations.

You cant say anything thats offensive and that could be deemed to label anyone. You have to be always aware of perceptions, apparently.

Ms Evans says that her childrens sensitivities are clearly not a product of her parenting, but blames universities and television for encouraging political correctness.

I do get really cross with the whole idea that children arent allowed to talk about anything religious in relation to Christmas or Easter because it might offend someone, she said. I think if we cant discuss any of these things we run the risk of losing our cultural identity.

Seniors were asked, how much do you agree with the following statements about political correctness? Picture: CoreData Social Etiquette and Pet Peeves Survey (June 2017)Source:Supplied

The data also indicated that Aussies grew less concerned about social norms and pleasing others as they grew older.

Almost a third (31 per cent) said they no longer cared about social norms or pleasing others.

Two in five (42.7 per cent) admitted to having shared politically incorrect jokes, and a quarter (24.3 per cent) said they used humour even it they knew it might make some people uncomfortable. One in five admitted they had used politically incorrect humour among inappropriate company.

Most respondents said they thought social etiquette had got worse in Australia. Picture: CoreData Social Etiquette and Pet Peeves Survey (June 2017)Source:Supplied

Australian Seniors Computer Club Association president Nan Bosler said seniors were resisting societal pressure to be politically correct.

Seniors are not letting this pressure deter them from staying true to themselves and their beliefs and they should be respected for that attitude, she said.

Australias older generation have been through a momentous amount of change and challenges, and this has made them a resilient bunch who value good humour and are not easily offended by lighthearted teasing.

Therefore, it is easy to understand why this generation can be frustrated with certain political correct filters that are assumed in modern-day living.

Political correctness was among the top answers to the question: What really bothers you the most these days that didn't seemed to bother you so much when you were younger? Picture: CoreData Social Etiquette and Pet Peeves Survey (June 2017)Source:Supplied

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Senior Australians say political correctness is ruining society - NEWS.com.au