By MEGAN SMITH

Staff Writer

Be careful, everything is slowly turning gray.

The graying of America has started, and there is no turning back. Soon students will feel its effects.

Don't worry, the world is not really losing its colors and turning gray.

Rather the American population is becoming increasingly older.

Kathy Martin, an associate professor of social sciences, said the American population used to be in the shape of a triangle with concern to age.

The larger base was populated with the young, and the older generation made up the smaller tip. Martin said now the triangle has morphed into a bowling ball shape.

Students can rest assured the grass is not going to turn gray.

But what effects does the graying of America have on college students at Tech and our generation as a whole?

With the Social Security system, the job market, politics and even roles of women, the aging population will play a part in students' futures.

The depleting funds

of America

American citizens pay into the Social Security system knowing that once they reach retirement they will get a check every month back from the system they fund.

It is predicted, however, by the time our generation reaches retirement, Social Security funds will be depleted.

Is this fair?

Brooke Swanson, a senior accounting major, said, "How can it be fair that we pay for something that we are not going to get back, and right now we are the ones who are lining their pockets?"

Kris Lucas, a freshman political science major, said he is not worried.

He knows Social Security funds will not benefit him in the end.

He also said he hopes the Social Security system will be put to an end.

He said, "Social Security was developed during the Great Depression to ease the problems of that era and was supposed to be temporary.

"I think that we need to drop the bomb on the Social Security system," Lucas said.

"The end of Social Security will be replaced with the need for more independence, education and money managing skills from Americans."

The competing jobs

of America

There is a concern that the job market will not be able to supply enough jobs for the next generation of college graduates.

"We can only wait and see how many old people retire earlier," Martin said.

Students said they felt confident what they had to offer would beat the competition.

"The job market is always looking for something fresh and new," Michelli McKnight, a sophomore political science major, said.

"In the law profession, we are always learning new stuff, and the Baby Boomers would have to go back to college to keep up and compete," McKnight said.

At the same time, though, there is a worry that there will be a shortage of people to fill available jobs.

"There is also a concern that there will not be enough people to replace the Baby Boomers once they retire," Dr. Gary Stokely, an associate professor of social sciences, said.

The daughter's role

in America

Another effect of the graying of America, Martin said, is "daughters and daughters-in-law will become the primary caretakers of the parents."

Some students are not worried about this potential problem, though.

McKnight said, "This does not concern me, because, although I would love for my mother to come live with me later on, I know that we will do what is the most convenient, whether that is with me or my brother."

The changing face

of American politics

Another effect of America's aging is the change of American political policy.

"We are already beginning to see the effects of this with the passing of the Medicare bill in regards to the prescription drugs," Martin said.

"Older people vote in greater numbers and the AARP is a strong group."

But, once again, some students are not extremely worried about this.

"With our age group we will eventually have more interest with what is going on politically," Swanson said.

A second student does not think politics will be highly affected.

"I do not think that it will change politics that much," Levy Leatherman, a senior speech major, said.

"Seniors have never been a driving force of politics. Although they are catered to traditionally, they have not been an altering factor."

So in the end, do students really care about the graying of America and the effects that will come from it?

Swanson said she thinks about it a little, but feels it is not something she is worried about at the moment.

"I think about it, but it is not a major concern right now," Swanson said.

"I do believe that the problem needs to be dealt with."

Another student said that it is just the way the world works.

"This older generation will die eventually anyway," Lucas said.

"There will be a new generation in 25 years, and society will adjust."