SociologyThe Cultural Context of Aging - Essay Example

By doing so, society is transformed in its view of the family – that is a permanent institution and members are obliged to fulfill such roles. Young people wanting to get married would think if they can really perform the roles their spouse needs from them until old age. As for the Danish home care policy, it is a good working model of a society that has planned for its elderly citizens. In comparison with the United States, it cannot conceive and implement such policies since the healthcare system alone is in a mess.

The Danish policy has long been planned and executed by the government which is a reflection of their priorities – healthcare. Since America is extremely preoccupied with external issues, it cannot sort out its own affairs and render good service to its citizens.The chapter about Muslim Iranians is also an interesting read since it presents how a minor culture ( Iranian )tries to assimilate to a more dominant one ( American). Growing old is another country like the case of Iranian seniors in California is quite stressful since psychological adjustment has to be made in order to fit in the host society.

As mentioned in the text, “depression, loneliness, loss of sense of community “(p.304) affects the elderly. It is for this reason then that while still young, people begin to build their social networks. Nevertheless, the case of Babi is quite different as she had successfully assimilated into the American culture and had even found a new love. It is not luck that made her enjoy her golden years but her attitude to overcome the transcending scripts of culture that women should be just at home.

However, it cannot be denied that elderly citizens long for their native country since the birthplace provides a strong emotional attachment to a person throughout life. Lastly, the chapter about elderly citizens' active engagement in community greening is an eye-opener since it portrays the elderly as activists for the environment. It seems that old people try to defy the decay that is associated with their developmental stage; therefore, they personally tackle real objects of decrepit and decay.

It is also surprising to realize that various greening projects were already launched as early as the 80s without assistance from the government. Another way of looking at this is that the elderly reminds the young generation of how beautiful the world is without pollution and technology. Nature is simply amazing. Although it cannot be denied that gardening is therapeutic, it is also a manifestation of one’s belief in hope.In conclusion, Skolovsky’s book is not only refreshing but powerful in reminding the younger generation that aging is not a useless time, it is actually the beginning of life from a different perspective.