My parents have become insufferable.

it's not about the over 60s, its about this person's parents, who, given the average MN user demographic are highly likely to be 60+ so it's no huge co-incidence.

that said it seems to be a common theme among ageing parents, my own parents included....

It's a studied phenomenon that many (not all!) people become more right wing as they age.

Spent some time with my mum today and it was all about the terrible state of the country. .She's a massive tory and thinks reform has some good points, hates labour. Also, described neighbour as a big fat gay. She's early 70's. It was pretty unpleasant as disagree about everything.
She read the Telegraph and listens to Jeremy Vine etc.

This perfectly describes my mum who is becoming more rigid and stubborn now she’s late 60s. My dad, however, is mellowing by the day and is the best he’s ever been.

Do they having rolling news on all day?

My parents are the same, they’ve always been quite right wing but it got worse with age. I just don’t engage. They aren’t interested in debating, debating involves hearing and considering other views. They just want to talk about their own views. So best not to engage. Stay silent, let them finish their thought, then change the subject.

Just say “I don’t agree so shall we just agree not to talk about these issues”. Although, I must say, they’re your parents and yes they might have different opinions to you and drone on a bit about health, but really, is that so bad? I could think of so many more things to get upset with parents about.

reading the comments, I’m in despair. You will rue the day.

Maybe because they are older then us and have been around before us they have seen exactly how much this country has declined . Just a thought . Btw my parents are the same and GB news is horrific but the fact is the UK has teal problems that needs resolving . I understand that the change in our society and living standards must seem even more profound to older ppl .

I'm 71, I've always been a leftie and I think I'm probably more left wing than ever. I've been involved in anti-racist and left politics since the 70s and am pissed off beyond belief that racists and xenophobes appear to be having a resurgence. I really thought we'd seen the back of all that shit.

Farage, Robinson et al give me the absolute rage. The masked, black-clad protest in Dover really gave me the horrors.

I'm sorry your parents are such bigots OP, it must be hard to bear. I've gone LC with some of my in-laws because I find their views abhorrent, but I guess it's hard to do that when it's your own parents.

My father in law suddenly went like this mid 70s from being a very tolerant expat type of guy , once he stopped working abroad and retired - he’s now 87 - my own view is a lot are simply depressed , don’t get around much as would help and some have crappy relationships that they feel too old to change , lots of old friends no longer around, ailments etc -so yes it can be hard to feel upbeat - my FILs latest obsession is ‘gays’

My parents in their seventies aren’t like this, my grandparents in their 90’s are though. I just let it go over my head, nodding occasionally but I do bite back now and again 🤣

I'm 61, husband is 65. No danger of me watching GB news. Been a guardian reader since I was about 20!

😂

I have found that the older people get, the more their filter drops from who they really are. The chances are they have deep down felt this way for a long time and no longer wish to hide it.

I've just turned 80 and have never watched GB News. In fact I hardly watch any TV. Too busy reading or chatting online.

Number 1 is actually lack of critical thinking due to outsourcing it to AI, but obviously a word-prediction machine isn't going to tell you that

(lighthearted, kidding, etc)

I think the issue is how do you deal with having to hear views which are not the same as your own and possibly quite boring. Can you just be frank and say, let's agree to disagree and talk about something else?

Im nearly 65 and Im not like this. Did they retire early? Thst often sparks off a character change.
The only thing Id agree with is the NHS is shit. But then Ive worked in it for 46 years and still do so I think Im qualified to have an opinion.

I've always voted left but I'm definitely more tolerant now - of the right. I understand where they're coming from now and what their fears are. I also no longer think the left are correct about everything. I don't think any party will reflect my opinions completely and count myself as a floating voter. I still wouldn't vote Reform but I understand why people support them. It frustrates me when people just dismiss Reform supporters as stupid bigots. It's really dangerous not to take people's concerns seriously even if you think they have been misled.

Oh gosh, yet another thread bashing the over 60s, how tiresome.

Of course the racist misogynists under 60 don't exist. Strange out of the racist men from the Portsmouth demos being looked for all but one appear well under 60 . . .

Can we just condemn racists, misogynists, agists, etc?

Sounds like she's well rid

Just because you don't see that illegal and legal migration are changing the country beyond recognition, that the NHS is in a very poor state, especially considering how much money is spent on it does not mean that your parents are wrong. They are justly worried about these things. They are wrong to think they can share their concerns with you. About your fat neighbour - don't know, can't comment.

I used to try and do this but it’s frustrating because they get angry and can’t see any other point of view even when you back it up with facts. I gave up and now don’t even acknowledge anything has been said. I’ve noticed since retirement their views have got a lot stronger/harsher/radical.

My parents are in their seventies and have become more relaxed and liberal as the age eg they now have friends who are gay and it’s not even mentioned whereas when I was growing up in the 80s/90s my dad would make homophobic jokes.

i think GB News is the common denominator here. It’s brainwashing nonsense. I would be correcting them on every falsehood

A nearly 60-year-old leftie here whose DM was a proper socialist firebrand. I guess young ones may give me a swerve at times because I’m dull rather than bigoted (I hope). I would listen and take heed if someone told me they were tempted to avoid me due to views they disliked. Maybe I’d reflect and change my views with fresh information, or maybe I’d stick to my guns but be more sensitive about expressing myself. Is there any mileage in saying gently but firmly that you struggle with some of their views, that you love them but don’t want precious time with them to consist of Daily Fail-isms? I wonder if you also feel unseen and not of interest when your folks indulge in their pet topics?