[purpleRac3r]

There very much is merit in the older crowd more into manuals than the younger crowd. I'm 46 and learned to drive on a 4-speed manual Ford pickup. Back then, manuals were much more common. Now, automatics overall rule by something like 20+ to 1 over manuals. Used to be that the manuals were significantly better in fuel mileage, and much stronger and better geared for towing/heavier loads. Modern automatics have closed the gap and as adults figured that out, more bought automatics. With more and more households having automatics and not manuals, more and more kids learn to drive on said autos. The vast majority of people stick to what they are used to, and for those who learned on autos, they tend to stay with them.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Some friends of mine had to go with automatics due to knee issues, and I know a few younger automobile enthusiasts who much prefer manuals.