"When I was young there was no respect for the young, and now that I am old there is no respect for the old. I missed out coming and going"

J.B. Priestley’s words capture a bittersweet sense of dislocation across generations, touching on the persistent tension between youth and age within society. As a young person, his experience was characterized by a lack of respect from older generations, implying a customary undervaluing of the insights, energy, and potential of the young. Implicit in his statement is a sense of longing, possibly even resentment, at being dismissed or marginalized for his youth, despite whatever contributions or opinions he might have offered at the time.

As time passes and he transitions into old age, Priestley observes a reversal, or perhaps an evolution, of this same disrespect, now directed toward the elderly. The old are commonly associated with tradition, wisdom, and continuity, yet in his later years, he too finds himself sidelined, this time because of the perception that the aged have little left to offer in a rapidly progressing world. The recurring motif is a societal disregard neither for the beginning nor the end of life’s journey, but perhaps a misplaced reverence for only those at their productive or influential peak, neglecting the voices at the margins.

The phrase “I missed out coming and going” is particularly poignant, encapsulating a feeling of exclusion not just at one life stage, but at both ends. Priestley expresses a universal frustration: never truly belonging, consistently feeling undervalued. His observation exposes the cyclical nature of generational misunderstanding and the persistent human yearning for recognition and respect, regardless of age.

The quote invites reflection on how societies can perpetuate patterns of disregard, failing to include the full spectrum of perspectives. It asks readers to empathize with both the young and the old, challenging the comfort of generational biases and urging a reevaluation of how we offer respect and validation across the entire lifespan.