What normal person could possibly aspire to this image? And, apparently, students are deciding that work isn't what they want to do anymore. Only 35 percent of 16 to 19 year old are currently working - way fewer than ten years ago
Turns out us oldies are taking a shot at it. Abha Bhattarai with the Washington Post tells us that, across the country, due to a shortage of motivated 19 year olds, senior citizens are being recruited to be lifeguards - the oldest of whom is 86.
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| Leslie Botts |
Two years ago 63 year old math teacher Bill Bower decided to become a lifeguard. He was nervous about taking the training alongside colleagues who were young enough to be his grand kids. But it turns out he was the fastest swimmer there. Last year he was voted the city's best lifeguard.
Leslie Botts is another typical new lifeguard. She's a retired special-education teacher who, at age 70, became certified. Managers told her that they prefer older employees because they tend to be more reliable.
Now, where have we heard that before? Employers have consistently been reluctant to hire oldies thinking they won't show up on time, or need more time off than younger people - only to discover they have constantly been proven wrong.
No news yet as to whether or not these geriatric lifeguards are doing any crime stopping.
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