Why are people worried about the stock market right now?

My thoughts are those who are worried are nearing retirement and have a high percentage of their funds invested in the stock market. Is this the case? Is it safe to assume younger people are probably not concerned as their stocks will go up in the long term? So is the "safer" strategy to change your investment portfolio as you get older? While you are young, invest highly in the stock market and as you get older move the money from your stocks into lower risk bonds. Is this correct? Thanks!

The stock market over the long term has always gone up. For a long term investment tool, it's one of the better ones out there.

The reason why a younger person can afford to invest in more volatile areas is that they can weather out the bad times in addition to reap the good times.

As you get older then portfolio fluctuations cannot be tolerated as much, especially when you start withdrawing money and depending on a steady stream of income. That's why you will generally shift your portfolio to more stable areas like bonds.

our economy is starting a recession

Why you ask?

Because it has been dropping every day quicker than PeeWee Hermans pants in that movie theatre!

Even though you never really lose money until you cash them in, it's still pretty scary. Plus, that is a good indicator in which way the economy is heading.

That is one strategy to use.

As a younger person, it would be wise to watch the market and buy good stocks as the prices are getting better.

Buy low, sell high.

That's correct but our country is in bad shape right now and people are beginning to worry about everything. I am too.

The short answer is that too many people have made stupid purchases that they can't pay for and financing them. Now the big banks that lend money to the banks that the rest of us use are saying no more and it scares everyone.