Stereotyping of the Aging - Research Paper Example

? Stereotyping of the Aging Stereotyping of the Aging Aging is a natural, biological stage that every human being must pass through. Scientifically, it is known as a development stage. At this point, the body and mind enter a phase where the individual becomes older and more mature. The body functions cease to be the same as they used to be years before. They tend to become much slower or faster in body functions, and the mind ceases to function as it used to. Ageism is the process by which discrimination is brought against all those who are old, and the aging process. This is usually against the senior members of society by the much younger persons. Stereotyping of aging, often known as ageism, is something that has affected people all over the world. It is a form of discrimination just like racism and sexism. It takes the same pattern as these two since it was believed that the elderly faced the same prejudice due to their old age. This paper will review some of the negative and positive stereotypes of aging, and the process of aging. As seen above, this stage is inevitable. Every living thing that has been born must go through the process of aging. This is to ensure that the life cycle is maintained as the birth, and growth of other living organisms occurs. However, over the years, theories and myths have come up about aging. They often lead the much older people to be perceived in a certain way. The manner in which they are treated by the much younger generation is not right. A name has been given to this form of treatment. It is known as ageism. It took this name since it had the same pattern as other forms of discrimination (Branch & Palmore, 2005). Stereotyping of the aging has become a common trend especially in these modern times. In modern times, families and relatives of old people still love them. However, this love is often shown to them if they are far away from the much younger family members. This shows that not many people value what the older people have to offer (Branch & Palmore, 2005). When they die, they often think of it as a relief since they were already old, and could not fend for themselves. They think that occasional is enough to show affection and appreciation. Also, that old folks will be satisfied with seeing their children and grandchildren once in a year is something that works. This cannot be considered the correct way to go about treating all those that paved the way for others. They paved the way for everyone, so it is the responsibility of everyone in society to guide and protect them in their old age. Stereotyping can be defined as a set of beliefs that often guide a person in everyday life. They shape the way an individual thinks and relates to their immediate surroundings. There are a number of stereotypes about aging and the old that run the lives of many people around the world today (Branch & Palmore, 2005). There are positive and negative stereotypes that exist about aging. The negative stereotyping of the aging has often taken centre stage in the lives of many. This means that the negative beliefs that many people harbour about aging are more than the positive ones. This should not be the scenario as the older generation still have a lot to offer the world. They might be old, but what they know, and believe in could be valuable to each and every person because they are bound to age with time. Positive Beliefs One positive stereotype could be that the aging are often kind. This stereotype can lead to many people believing that at a certain age, they often think of putting others before themselves. This is an immensely positive mind-set for those who believe that old people are unkind to those around them, and themselves, as well (Levy, 2001). As people grow older, they get the knowledge that is often not acquired in a classroom with the use of books. This knowledge is acquired with the coming of age. They often tend to become wiser than they were when they were much younger. This can tell all those who believe that old people are stingy and mean something totally different. For those who believed that they would be mean to others in their old age, they probably end up being mean, and all alone. Another positive stereotype that surrounds aging is the fact that the aging often engage in many activities. This is because of the free time they might have on their hands. After retirement, the elderly often have a lot of time on their hands. This means that they could engage in activities they would want to engage in. Taking walks is one leisure activity they love to participate in. This makes them less boring, and it is a form of exercise that is welcome for their health. This is according to the younger generation who think that old people do nothing else other that watch television, and sleep. The positivity that such activities bring to them can add a few more years to their lives (Levy, 2001). The gaining of strength during the aging process can benefit everyone tremendously. This is because the people aim to attain a certain age where they will be able to do certain things. These things could have been more difficult when they were much younger. This is another positive belief that could make people prepared for old age, and the process of ageing. A number of people often think that old people cannot handle some activities like when they were younger. However, it may also be a cause, for them to be worthless when they become older. This is because they are not endowed with the mental capacity to do whatever it is they wish to do because of their beliefs at a tender age (Levy, 2001). Negative Beliefs Among the negative beliefs that surround individuals about aging includes the fact that old people are from time to time classified as very needy. This belief often makes individuals try to avoid old people. Even as people age, their worst fear, is to have someone think that they need to be with another person all the time. This makes them fear aging since they do not want to end up being looked after like children. There might be some truth to this belief, but, it is all a thing of the mind (Levy & Myers, 2004). Old people can take care of themselves. They might need help here and there, but they are still capable of all the things younger people can do. Ill health during old age is another negative belief that often makes people dread the thought of aging. It is assumed that with old age, the chances of having many diseases attack the body are more than they are in a younger person. This is wrong. An individual’s lifestyle is what determines how well they will live in the future, health wise (Levy & Myers, 2004). This means that if they do not take care of themselves while young, there is no guarantee that they will get to their prime. Perceptions that the old are fragile could make someone hate the idea of being taken care of like they are children.This perception has got to change since there are a lot of old people who can still move around without the use of crutches. Another negative stereotype that the aging have to face is the myth that all old people are nosy. People perceive the old as being in their business due to the lack of something to do. This belief needs to change so that people can be able to relate to the older people in their surrounding much better (Levy & Myers, 2004). This perception could make people refuse to be a part of their neighbours’ lives. In turn, they feel left out without anyone to talk to, and have normal, lively conversations. Feeling left out for anyone, even the young, is the worst feeling anyone could have. It is only fair that the old be given a chance to be who they are. This could give them the opportunity to prove all the negative people wrong. Being old makes one vulnerable (Levy & Myers, 2004). This is another negative stereotype that people often come up with. The idea that old persons cannot fend, or protect themselves is simply ridiculous. The old have their own way of dealing with issues in their lives. They should not always be considered senile and cannot handle anything on their own. In the event people reach a certain age, they are put in care homes where they are looked after. This is seen to some as the right move, but in the real sense, to the people being shipped to homes, it is a loss of their independence. Being old often means being lonely (Nelson, 2002). Another negative belief that has led people to believe that being old is a disease. Often, younger people avoid old people because they think that they are out to seek attention since they do not have anyone to talk to. This is not true as the older citizens in the community or society do have activities they could engage in to pass the time. They could be involved in community programs which will be beneficial to them and the society. This is due to their experience in the area. The fact that they could come up with mature ways, which may benefit the whole community and themselves should not be ignored. In conclusion, it is apparent that negative stereotyping has an impact on aging. The negative beliefs that people in society have has a negative impact on people aging, and the process of aging. The problem arises among people who do not know that the negative stereotyping has unusually adverse effects on the aging process (Nelson, 2002). Both physical and mental health can be affected significantly by these stereotypes. In most cases, they end up affecting the mortality rate among people. This means that the negative perceptions people have has become a very major issue. The positive beliefs seem to help the aging process (Levy, Slade, Kunkel, & Kasl, 2002). It makes the process more acceptable as it gives people the will to be more accommodating to the much older people. The thing that people should understand is that this process is unavoidable. No amount of money can help people escape it. As people in society get to live together, they get to understand that they do have a lot in common despite their age differences. This means that they get to understand that the common ground in which they all stand on is not that different. It is only through such thinking that people will get the realization that together, they would be able to accomplish more, rather than trying to go about it on their own. References Branch, L., Harris, D., & Palmore, E. B. (2005) Encyclopaedia of ageism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Levy, B. R. (2001). Eradication of ageism requires addressing the enemy within. New York: Macmillan. Levy, B. R. & Myers, L. M. (2004). Preventive health behaviours influenced by self-perceptions of aging. New York: Macmillan. Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Kunkel, S. R., & Kasl, S.V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. New York: McGraw Hill. Nelson, T. (2002). Ageism: Stereotyping and prejudice against older people. London: Sage Publishers. Read More