Letter writing, the mini skirt and coin operated telephone boxes are just some of things the over 60s in the South East would like to see brought back from their youth, according to a survey out this month from the UK's leading retirement specialist McCarthy & Stone.
In the recent poll, 56% of retirees in the South East said they thought that home skills, such as DIY, car maintenance, sewing and baking, should make a comeback while 18% felt nostalgic about writing letters and music from their childhood.
Over three quarters of respondents in the region believed that, despite the recession, there hasn't been a shift back to the wartime trend to 'make, do and mend' with 79% believing that saving money and thriftiness is simply not part of modern day culture.
When it came to our society, 80% in the South East thought we have lost our community spirit with almost three quarters believing we are less tolerant towards each other. However, 72% agreed that political correctness is worse now than it has ever been.
63% agreed the majority of people don't really know their neighbours and a further 84% thought it sad children no longer play outside all day.
Only 12% felt that family time had improved since their childhood, with 66% believing that quality family time had significantly worsened. Reasons included the decline in family mealtimes and less strict parenting.
However, despite this, 76% agreed that the growth of social media and digital communications has helped people stay in touch with their loved ones more.
Mike French, regional managing director for McCarthy & Stone, comments: "The results of our survey revealed that it is not just those traditions and pastimes such as letter writing that have been lost over the years but also more fundamental values, such as family and community.
"As specialists in the retirement living sector, we recognise how important these values are to our customers, which is why we build developments that not only promote community and neighbourliness but also enable our residents to enjoy their independence and retirement to the full."
McCarthy & Stone is currently selling a range of one and two bedroom retirement apartments at developments across the South East.
See Also: Property News (6701), McCarthy & Stone (408), South East (7)
Date Published: 01 July 2011
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