Report - Book Report/Review Example

With the advancing age, physical difficulties are inevitable. But if one is mentally strong, challenging old age can turn out to be an interesting exercise! Aging is natural, but the fear about ageism amongst the Americans is both to be pitied and condemned, as it is a negative attitude. Rubin writes, (2007, p.41)"Until ageism comes under some kind of public scrutiny with a political movement to match, euphemisms like 'senior citizen' will be met with disdain by both the old and the society in which they live.

" Here is an issue with America, may not be as serious as racism, but concerns all races and worth the fight! The issues tackled by Rubin in Chapter Nine, "Hey folks, you're spending my inheritance,” demand serious attention, as it concerns children, the future generation of America. The longer the life, the heavier the amount spent on selves by the elders. This may not be looked up with favor by some types of children, who keep an eye on the inheritance, with expectation and greed. With the advancing age, psychologically the elders become close to the children and more and more dependent on them as the years roll by.

The issues like own independence, right to enjoy the life alone, make one’s own decisions etc will be gradually swept under the carpet; there is no other alternative--Yes, old age is a problem, graver than one expected when one was young and the options to challenge it now are very limited! Rubin writes with a fine sense of anticipation by judging the issues with the merit they deserve. Let me take the spiritual aspect first. This is an option, the importance of which has not been understood by the Americans yet, because the American generation has not been imbibed with the correct spiritual values from the young age.

Rubin is candid enough to admit that seeking a spiritual life, a life that transcends the mind barrier (and hence free from ego and motivated desires) is a valid option. But the question is, is it feasible “….in a society where dignity and respect are so closely associated with work and productivity?”(p.45) The Americans need to make it possible. If taught early, the children and grandchildren will give a better reception in the form of poems, stories etc For the elders making a U turn to the inner world may be a tough option, but by earnest desire and practice, one can achieve the goal.

Creativity aspect is an important alternative to tackle old age problems. Gene D Cohen(2001, p 5-6) writes, “ The importance of understanding creativity in relation to aging is profound, because doing so will not only enable older people to have access to their potential in later life, but it will also challenge younger age groups to think about what is possible in their later years in a different way.” The next support on which an aged individual tries to rely upon is friendship. Rubin addresses the issue of friendship skillfully and with compassion.

At a certain age, humankind attaches considerable importance to friendship. With the advancing age something intervenes strongly to dilute its importance, and the reasons for such a development are genuine. Profession or business, once an individual retires, many self-seekers drift away. Some die. Some are too frail to keep active association and be partners in a full social life. The limitations on various counts come to the fore to affect a cut in the activity chart of an individual. The days of old