Do you think my Greatest Generation grandfather would hate me if he were alive to see me today?

[starlight1364]

My paternal grandfather was the quintessential red-blooded, all-American man. He was raised in poverty during the Great Depression, and he grew up to become the ideal American man. He firmly believed in all of the ideals of American society. He believed in honesty, courage, rugged masculinity, and staunch populism. On the other hand, he absolutely despised all forms of privilege, aristocracy, effeteness, and effeminacy. He truly lived by those ideals, as well. He voluntarily enlisted in the Army during World War II, where he served honorably and courageously. After serving in the Army, he came home, got married, and raised his sons (including my father) to be red-blooded, all-American men just like he was.

I (a 26 year old male Gen Zer), on the other hand, am the complete antithesis of everything that my grandfather believed in. I am not a rugged, red-blooded, all-American man like he was. I am an effete, effeminate, elitist, aristocracy admiring, luxury loving, pseudo-intellectual softie who would prefer to live a life of comfort and ease than a life of ruggedness and toughness. I sometimes think that if he was alive to see me as I am now, he would see me as a weak, un-American disgrace, and he would want to have absolutely nothing to do with me. I also think that if my father or any of his brothers turned out to be like me, my grandfather probably would have thrown them out of the house and disowned them.

What do you think? Do you think my grandfather would hate me?

 

[Sugar Cookie]

He would probably find you annoying and embarrass to be related to you.

 

[Aedia]

Why would you ask a question you know the answer to? You listed all the things he hated, then said you were them.
But on another note - he hated all forms of privilege but loved America? What did he think Americans were? As someone who fought in WW2 he should have known that even homeless Americans have it better than a depressingly large amount of the world. Not that that means we shouldn't address those things, but coming back from the rubble of Europe or the Pacific or wherever especially should have highlighted his American privilege. You cannot hate all forms of privilege and love the America we shaped into at that time. Lol

 

[Metalfan]

Puddin!

 

[HijabiGirl]

I think you spend a lot of time "borrowing trouble." How about you live in the present because, well, that's the only place we exist? Every generation has their strength and weaknesses. No one is superior than the other.

 

[thuumpr]

My paternal grandfather was the quintessential red-blooded, all-American man. He was raised in poverty during the Great Depression, and he grew up to become the ideal American man. He firmly believed in all of the ideals of American society. He believed in honesty, courage, rugged masculinity, and staunch populism. On the other hand, he absolutely despised all forms of privilege, aristocracy, effeteness, and effeminacy. He truly lived by those ideals, as well. He voluntarily enlisted in the Army during World War II, where he served honorably and courageously. After serving in the Army, he came home, got married, and raised his sons (including my father) to be red-blooded, all-American men just like he was.

I (a 26 year old male Gen Zer), on the other hand, am the complete antithesis of everything that my grandfather believed in. I am not a rugged, red-blooded, all-American man like he was. I am an effete, effeminate, elitist, aristocracy admiring, luxury loving, pseudo-intellectual softie who would prefer to live a life of comfort and ease than a life of ruggedness and toughness. I sometimes think that if he was alive to see me as I am now, he would see me as a weak, un-American disgrace, and he would want to have absolutely nothing to do with me. I also think that if my father or any of his brothers turned out to be like me, my grandfather probably would have thrown them out of the house and disowned them.

What do you think? Do you think my grandfather would hate me?

grandfather was the quintessential red-blooded, all-American man.

Hate you? No! Love you, Yes!
Would grandfather want you to follow in his footsteps? Absolutely.
But grandfather understands. You only need to look to what he 'inwardly' thought of your father...
He knows what his grandfather was like... someone to look up to and emulate.

You're worried that you can't fill grandfather's shoes and he'll be disappointed.

You're good! Look out for what's best for your grandchildren (like grandfather) and they'll worry too!

I do. I did. They will.

Take care.

 

[DaveL]

Would you say your grandfather was an ignorant, narrow-minded man?

If he was, then why esteem his opinion so highly?

If he wasn't, he probably understood there were very many, very different ways to be a good man.

 

[runninfawn]

your grandfather lived in his own time as did my father and yes me also... my kids have it easier than i did but also harder (new generations new challenges)... live the best life you can without hurting anyone on your way up or belittleing anyone that has less than you and keep in mind you are one that is working to make it even a better place for your grandkids....