Myths About Aging Abound
Do stereotypes about older people stand up to reality? American society, with it’s youth obsession would suggest that older citizens are considered to be washed up, that the lights have gone out and that they no longer have much to contribute. These attitudes permeate society and reach deeply into the workplace in particular.
Although aging is as inevitable as the phases of the moon, in a commercial culture aimed at the young, the beautiful and the nimble, we do not like to think about aging. That must change. While AgeNotes.Com is about aging well, it is also about dispelling myths that prevail about older generations in an American culture witnessing a rapidly increasing aging population. It is an unfortunate truth that older adults are stereotyped as, by and large, decrepit and dependent. They remain viewed as no longer suited to contributing to society. In short, old is bad.
We cheer roundly when older people demonstrate creativity, can do attitudes and athletic agility. An 88 year old skier or tennis buff is looked on with admiration and may well be saluted in the media. Older celebrities are revered.
But for the most part, that sort of esteem paradoxically ceases when it comes down to attitudes about older humanity in general. Tales of legerdemain involving seniors are perceived as exceptional. Negative stereotypes crowd out reality.
Serious examination, however, demonstrates that today’s seniors in unprecedented numbers retain the capacity to be vigorous, healthy, productive and creative. Yet, society is unwilling to see its elders as vital and active contributors far beyond traditional retirement age. Its assumed that people of a certain age, suddenly turn senile and accept being seen as useless and dispatched to decades on the golf course, playing bingo or just plain idleness as a way of life..
We are sitting on a demographic time bomb which is largely being ignored. Out of sheer necessity, societal and cultural attitudes will have to undergo drastic and rapid change to accommodate throngs of active, healthier baby boomers as an economic powerhouse eager and willing to continue productivity. AgeNotes.Com is dedicated to encouraging and stimulating this much needed shift in perceptions about our older citizens.
Youth obsession is terribly misplaced. The marketplace would be well advised to shift it’s focus to where the money is, and help to build a more favorable perception of older people in keeping with reality.
Tags: age, Age Discrimination, aging myths, aging population, Aging Process, Anti Aging, Baby Boomers, senior citizens, seniors
