Chapter one was the
most interesting chapter out of the two chapters. This chapter discussed
several important factors about growing old in the past and in modern day. An
elderly person was once held at a high status but this was not always true
throughout history (Hillier &
Barrow, 2011). Historically and different cultures reflected the treatment of
elderly population.
In ancient times, people were lucky to live past the age of 35 (Hillier
& Barrow, 2011). Old age was seen as being closest to the other side,
inherit older family values, and elderly was God’s blessing (Hillier &
Barrow, 2011). For the Roman era, “elderly
were considered a time of decline” (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). In the modern age, the status of elderly has
fallen because of the success in technology, science, and communication (Hillier
& Barrow, 2011).
At one time the younger generation was respectful to gain land and
finances. This topic was very interesting and controversial. The younger had no
choice but to do as the elderly say because the inheritance came to the most
respectful or hard working individual. Today, there is little respect for the
elderly. The younger generation today have more options to put elderly relatives
in nursing homes or have home health care to take on the responsibilities for
their loved ones.
The reason this is controversial
is because lack of concern or responsibility for the elderly. Today, children
of the elderly are abusive and dismissive of their kin. This is related to
Ageism. People are afraid to grow old and will spend money to keep this from
physically happening. Men and women fear expressing their age hoping their appearance
is not giving it away (Hillier &
Barrow, 2011).
In today’s society,
there are a growing number of elderly population. Reading about the young
generation wanting something in return for respecting their elders really made
me think about why I treated my grandparents with respect. My concern and help
I offered the elderly in my family was because I genuinely wanted to help.
There are nursing
homes, facilities for elderly, in home care and many other places that help
with the elderly population. Elderly population have help in home, communities
built for elderly population, and actual facilities. With the advances in
technology and medicine, things have become easier for the elderly and their
families. I have always been interested in working with the elderly because I
feel that they need a voice that is truly concerned for their well-being.
Hillier, S., & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28). California: WADSWORTH.
I think that more people should portray the same attitude as you do. It is inevitable, everyone ages. Instead of pushing the elderly to the side, I believe we should take the time to learn things from them.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree that times have changed and the elder generation is not held as a high status anymore. I think that society is focusing more on the youth and not accepting the fact that people age. Whenever I was a young child, the oldest person would always fix their plate of food first because that was the polite thing to do. Nowadays, adults are rushing to fix their children’s plates before they even think about the elderly. We, as a society should respect our elders and take into consideration the fact that they are aging. Since the older generation is living longer, everyone must pay attention to aging individuals and not dismiss them. They have needs and wants just like every other person, and we must not dismiss them. I have grown up in a household where I use “Yes ma’am” and “Yes sir” to show my elders respect, and I think that is the way they should be treated.
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