Should Seniors be Forced to Learn Computer Programs, ex: MS Word or WordPerfect

Tweet

A few weeks ago I decided to take a computer course. I lost the opportunity for a job because I wasn't certified. All of my previous office experience made no difference with this employer. Our small community runs a program through Cambrian College out of Sudbury, Ontario and I figured I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I've met some very interesting people of all ages at the center but one older gentleman has really made me question our government. He is 64 years of age and has been a farmer all his life but now he is a bit down on his luck and has had to apply for Social Assistance, or welfare. He has never paid in to Canada Pension and so he can't collect early retirement and he can't get Old Age Pension until he's 65. Welfare is making him take a computer course for MS Word. Now, just where is he going to use this training and who would hire him? He is so frustrated and doesn't understand any of the technical jargon and doesn't even own a computer. He just needed a little help until he can get his crops in for another season. This is a busy time of year for him but everyday he has to show up at class or they will cut his meager assistance cheque. He has been coming in every day faithfully for three weeks and still is not past the first few pages. It is just to much for him and I can see the strss building in him every day. Yesterday I showed him how to use a portable phone so he could call his wife to tell her he was going to be late. Here in Ontario they call welfare "Ontario Works". I do understand the concept behind this idea. If you can't find a job and you need assistance you should try to improve your skills for employment, and welfare pays for this training. But where do you draw the line? This man will always be a farmer, it's what he loves and at 64 no one is going to change that. Our government no longer has compassion for their elders and that is a very frightening prospect. This man has provided food for many tables over the years and yet when he needs a bit of help, our government attaches strings to that help. We has a people need to look closer at the people running our country and decide whether this is the kind of practice we want going on here in Canada. I was always raised to respect my elders and to help and care for them in anyway I could. Our seniors are not commodities that we can trade and bargain with, they are human beings with hearts and feelings. Somewhere in our fast passed world we have to find the time to fight for them because some of them are just to tired and beat up to fight for themselves. We need to learn to honour and respect the seniors of today, without them we wouldn't be where we are right now.