Fr.mike
69 posts
Feb 24, 2006
8:34 AM
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I was reading in NRBC (Where are we going?)pg. 60.I was thinking about how the commputer is helping our sport in many ways,such as this site and others.just a few years ago --if you wanted to start with rollers you would have to find someone local and he would most likly be your main source if not your only source.Now we have the world at our fingertips.So in this regard it has helped immensely!--But is this positive help to our hobby (Age specific ?)When I was a kid When you were done with your chores homework etc. --you were GONE--in the creek draging some wild animal home building forts catching wild pigeons shooting slingshots--later on hunting fishing etc. etc.Today the youth have all the stimulation they will ever need sitting on the couch.I have four children all are very successful--two college grads advansed degrees etc.None of them are interested in nor were they ever really interested (except for short periods when they were young)in pigeons or anything else that has to do with the out doors. All of them are commputer savy (one is an engineer)Thou we limited the ninteno and all the other tecno stuff and as we call it sent them out to enjoy the real world.It appears the commputer was not an aid to there pursuits like I see it. It became its own pursuit in and of itself.At the recent pigeon show in Lancaster Pa. --out of the hundreds of people--I saw few that were under forty most fifty and up.(sorry I am rambbling on)So--Is the helpful part of all this Tec. age specific and are we looking at future decline?--I know the numbers are up in NRBC--but I believe what we are looking at is the boomer gen.--what happens when gen. x rolls around? wil they rather play a virtual roller pigeon game--as apposed to actully getting out there and raising/flying them?Just some thoughts.What do you think?
Fr.mike
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Shaun
286 posts
Feb 24, 2006
9:36 AM
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Mike, when I confessed my sins to my local priest, back in the 1960s (aged about 12), I regularly had to own up to swearing and fighting with my brothers and sisters. I also stole a few apples off trees, but I was too scared to mention such grave matters to the earthly representatives of 'him upstairs'. Looking back, they do seem more innocent times but, in terms of entertainment, for those of us without much money, we had bugger-all to do most of the time. Parents kicked us outside whenever they could (I was one of seven, so I could see their point) and we had to find our own entertainment. Nowadays, parents are scared witless at letting their kids outdoors, so entertainment is more driven by what's available from the sofa, etc. Pigeons do seem more of an innocent pleasure, where instant gratification isn't the thing we're after. Kids nowadays want everything sooner rather than later, and even when they get it, they're soon bored. However, they've never had to seek stimulation in the way we had to, as their entertainment is presented to them on a plate. I'm glad us older ones have more of an appreciation for the less transient things in life - the things which take time to achieve, the life skills, the great outdoors. I can certainly see why those of us enticed by pigeons are more likely to be older people. I also think that it's part of the nurturing thing, which older people tend to be more accomplished at. We all know that apart from the thrills and spills of rollers performing, there's an awful lot of day-in, day-out husbandry - the unexciting, but necessary chores, which just have to be done.
When I got my rollers this time last year, we also indulged our two kids in four guinea pigs - they were wetting themselves with excitement. However, after the initial excitement had worn off - well, move on a year and they now forget to replenish the food and water. Ask them to muck out the cages and they make every excuse under the sun not to do it. Yet, they'll happily watch me traipse to the end of the garden to do all the pigeon chores in the dead of winter. They must think I'm nuts.
So, yes, technology seems to be very much a mixed blessing. I'll tell you what, though - I had to buy an air rifle last year to keep the various vermine away from my rollers. My 11 year old boy got a real blast from that. He could hardly hold the thing steady, but he really enjoyed sinking a few pellets into an old tin can.
Perhaps there's hope for them yet.
Shaun
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Fanaddic
7 posts
Feb 24, 2006
9:48 AM
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Ther are a lot of things that I can see causing the hobby to be not appealing to the younger generation. I by the way am one of that generation.
As far as the computer goes I think it is a great way to spent more time in the hobby and has helped greatly. Most is positive, you need info on a breed etc, its there at your fingers.
As far as why is the next generation not moving forward with the hobby?
- girls, if your a male at the age of 14-28, we all have been through that I'm sure.
- your either 100% into it or not
- city and rural by-laws
- Lot of parents don't want there kids getting into a animal hobby, no doubt thinking they will be the ones taking care and paying for it.
- Kids today from what I see are lazy. I too spent all my free time growing up at the river, in the bush, in the loft. Or working on my Uncles farm. How many kids today do this, a few and they're the ones with parents that value this time and don't shove a movie in the DVD player to entertain them.
Face it society has found it to be exceptable and also demand an easier way of doing thing and now we have a computer, DVD player etc. Why would a kid want to leave the house?
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Fr.mike
70 posts
Feb 24, 2006
10:29 AM
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Hey Shaun--Are you now making that cofession now on the internet?--Oh yea times have changed!But i will take that confession!Lol!
Fr.mike
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J_Star
264 posts
Feb 24, 2006
10:40 AM
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Wow, this is ought to be good…
Why? It is useless to look at the kids these days and analyze whether they will be into pigeon in the future or not due to being computer savvy or just plain lazy. Here is my analysis after looking through the crystal ball:
Once they pass the teenage years with the girls, drinking and hanging out. Once they pass the college life and complete their education and once they get married and start a family and the sex dwindles down and starts to hear the nagging from their spouses and they can no longer go out with their friends or down the corner for a cold one with their friends. They will look for a hobby that will get them away from that misery but yet still be around the house so that to keep the peace. And guess what… a loft full of pigeon in the back yard where they can spend time and talk to their birds telling them how miserable and hard life can be and still keep the peace at home will be their answer. Even so they can have a cold one while they are watering or feeding their birds and enjoying the peace and quite. So folks, don’t worry because when the time comes they will be ready for a loft full of pigeons. That is my take, what is yours? (Sorry, I couldn't hold a straight face writting this (LOL)).
Jay
Last Edited by J_Star on Feb 24, 2006 10:55 AM
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Shaun
287 posts
Feb 24, 2006
11:18 AM
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Mike, I hated confession; the old boy used to start off by pretending he didn't know me, then when I'd confessed all my sins (yeah, right) and he told me how many Hail Marys and Our Fathers I had to recite as penance, he'd then ask how my mother was. Needless to say, I didn't pop in for a chat with Father Taggart very often.
Jay - your reasons are definitely why some of us have taken up with pigeons again. However, back in the good old days, we used to enjoy pigeons along with the drink and fornication. Oh, that reminds me - sorry, Father Mike, that's something I have to confess...just don't tell my mother.
Shaun
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MCCORMICKLOFTS
403 posts
Feb 24, 2006
11:42 AM
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My kids could care less about pigeons. There was a time when they would watch them, or show them to their friends, but those days are long gone. I can't even get, or trust my son to take care of my birds while I am gone.
To them, and the other kids in the neighborhood, pigeons aren't cool. 50 cent, Eminem, ipods, My Space, and the opposite sex are cool to them. I gave up years ago. My son will be joining FFA next year (a fatherly demand) so maybe I can convince him to water that bird gene in him.
Brian.
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Fr.mike
71 posts
Feb 24, 2006
2:02 PM
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Hey Shaun --where are you from? it sounds like you are a Brit--Bugger-all is not a common term in the U.S.--I ask because I am going to Rome in June--I have a Three hour layover in london--mybe if you are really close to airport we could get together over a pint and talk birds?but only if it is convenient for you.If your not from the Island then I guess its a moot point.BTW--think about ole Fr. taggert--He had to listen to that mess every week of his life-you think you had it bad saying it he had to hear it!LOL! LOL!
Fr,mike
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tapp
59 posts
Feb 24, 2006
6:32 PM
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I grew up like you FR.mike. Had a creek running through our farm. Do chores and off for the woods. bb guns then 22.s and trapping, hunting. Catching bullfrogs for supper. watch some of my dads fireball rollers roll. what a time that era was! Raised a son and a daughter. Daughter likes pigeons, has no place for them yet where she lives. My son returned from a tour of duty in Irag in Dec. and came up from Texas and help me build two kit boxes. Coming up this monday and help be build two more. He's getting more interested in them. Hope he catches the bug and passes it down to someone else.
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Tapp
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Fr.mike
72 posts
Feb 24, 2006
7:49 PM
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Hey Tapp--What can beat frog-gigging at night--Only birds man only birds-Lol!
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Shaun
289 posts
Feb 24, 2006
11:56 PM
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Fr Mike, indeed I am a Brit. I live not too far away from both Gatwick and Heathrow airports, though the traffic and parking for either is a pain. Nevertheless, depending on the day and the time you're there, it's possible I could make it. Let me know nearer the time you're arriving and we'll see what can be arranged.
Where I live it's all racing pigeons and racing horses. No-one but me keeps rollers. I'd love to get people into the sport, but they just think I'm crazy.
Shaun
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Fr.mike
73 posts
Feb 25, 2006
4:28 AM
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HY Shaun--Iwill let you know the times of the flight later and If its a reasonable hour (traffic-middle of workday etc.)I know its June 1st.And as far as being the only roller guy around Wellll--Jesus's message started with only himself and twelve other guys,and they changed an empire-and the world.(Yes i know some for good and some for bad)--(and yes iknow they all lost their lives save John)But dont let that deter you shaun someone ALLWAYS must die for the empire LOL!The roller world will allways remember you as the Apostle of the roller world---or maybe just the nut down the street eaither way it will be agreat ride.Lol!Lol!
Fr.mike
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Shaun
291 posts
Feb 25, 2006
6:17 AM
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OK, Fr Mike, keep me posted. Meanwhile, I promise not to sell my soul to the devil - the racing pigeon fraternity!
Shaun
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Southplainsroller
1 post
Feb 25, 2006
8:07 PM
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Well yall can rest easy, I am 16 years old, and I'm addicted to rollers lol. I also love the outdoors, and the only thing I like more than fishing is watching a kit. I have also managed to drag a few friend into the hobby, so there is still young people interested in pigeons, but saying you raise pigeons is NOT cool to the ladies lol.
A youth in the hobby
Jacob Wright
Last Edited by Southplainsroller on Feb 25, 2006 8:07 PM
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Tony Chavarria
Site Publisher
498 posts
Feb 25, 2006
9:03 PM
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Hey Jacob, welcome to the site and thanks for contributing. Just remember when you get married and have kids to introduce them to rollers. I talk to many who had them as a kid and want to get back into them and use it to teach kids responsibility and have something to have fun with and share together.
If you are a father (or mother) who raises pigeons but allows the angst filled teenager in the house to sit in front of the computer and peck away at keys talking to friends, you need to take action and make them step away from the computer and get them out of the house to watch a kit of good rollers and talk to other human beings face to face about pigeons.
Kids will do whatever you let them (the whole time wishing you would stop them, though they will never admit it).
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FLY ON! Tony Chavarria
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trevsta65
6 posts
Feb 26, 2006
11:09 PM
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forgive me father for i to have sinned i wanderd from the flock many years ago. but now have returned 25 years later.it is true when you discover other things in life the pigeons are quickly forgoten about started chasing other kinds of birds. but now im settled down in quiet suburbia. with a couple of kids i thought it was time to reserect the hobbie again and prohaps convert my wife and kids my daughter has a interest and she is only 3 my son sometimes joins us to but only if he has been banned from the playstation. and your right jstar the backyard is just the pace to escape the whinging wife and enjoy the company of a few birds and have a few beers to contemplate lifes going ons. cheers trev
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FULLTURN
2 posts
Feb 26, 2006
11:12 PM
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Brian, I have two kids who could care less also. At least the birds keep Dad close to home and available. As for FFA I never successed in getting them enrolled. At least they care about Dad.
Last Edited by FULLTURN on Feb 26, 2006 11:13 PM
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Velo99
236 posts
Feb 27, 2006
4:52 AM
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My daughters like the birds. In fact they argued yesterday over the "ownership" of the B team. Then again we don`t let them engage in the mindless drivel of video games except on occasion. The TV is closely monitiored as well. Lots of nature,docs,and news programs. Yet they manage to stay up on the gossip and do well in school so I am not permanantly warping them.
The birds are our family project to a certain extent. As spring approaches there will be more outside time and the birds will receive more than their share of attention.
yits
Kenny H
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