I chose Chapter 1 for several reasons,the first thing that came to my mind was Methuselah. Methuselah was the oldest person to ever live, he was 969 years old.I guess God knew that the elderly wouldn't be appreciated,and that's why we are not allowed to live as long today.According to the book the term older people range from ages 50 to 90 (page 8 ).I would have to say I have always ad so much respect for the elderly,because that's what was taught to me but as for dealing with older people being a gift I hold I would have to say that it is not.
Ageism in chapter 1 caught my attention, because I see and hear it every day where I work.(Hoyer & Roodin,2009) said it best that we have a widespread of negitive sterotyping of the ederly.I drive the school bus for Fort Worth I.S.D. and for the past 5 years I ave watched the ederly people being replaced for te younger employees.(Butler,1975,p2-3) stated that its not that growing and die,that's the tragedy,it's the huiliating,debilitating,and isolating..
In the Early colonial days to be of age was a respectable think.Also in the religious matters being old was reconized een by God.in the biblical sence if you lived a long life you would be caled to heaven (David Fischer).In the legal and ecoomic the elders owned and controlled their own land.It goes on to say that sons of the elder had to show respect,and honor the elder in order to inherit, from the father's. I thought about today's time,if I had alot of money would my children have treated me with more respect.
I'm grateful tat I don't suffer from gerontophobia,I ave never feared growing old my fear has always been not growing old,or shall say not seeing me grand children grow up.My mother and father didn't get to see the age of 50,so to me growing old would truly be an honor.On the other hand I do ave a fear of not being able to take care of myself if God blesses me to see and older age.I don't want to be in the age dependency ratio.
The aging population is such a gem to us and our children. I want to make sure that I am educated enught to help slow down the reminiets of discrimination of the elderly and have a new found perspective to have lived through wars and the age of technology. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis learner thought it was interesting to read the span for being an older person ranged between 50 to 90 years of age. It would never have occurred to this learner that being 50 years old is considered “old” age, being this is the age range she is currently in. It is easy to see though, how a young adult would have the perception of anything past 40 being ancient, which in turn, would possess feelings of the common stereotypes felt against the elderly.
DeleteAs far has having a fear of the inability to care for oneself once a person reaches their golden years is understandable; and many people may experience anxiety and fearful of their well-being, should they not be able to take care of their daily needs without assistance.
It is apparent there will be a huge demand in the field of social work for assisting a client-base consisting of the elderly and more services and resources will need to expand on in order to provide the assistance to this population.
I am so excited that you have been able to embrace the inevitable of "growing old". This is perspective that I hope more people can understand to be appreciative of and not discriminatory. I like you, had my grandparent deceased very early so I as an adult am just now seeing the daily and society trends with the aging population.
ReplyDeleteAgeism is such a horrible thing that has developed in America. My grandmother lost her job on her 60th birthday because she was "too old" even though they told her other reasons. She had no way to prove that was the reason behind them firing her so she just moved onto another job. It was very heartbreaking for her because she did not feel as though she was that old. She was still perfectly capable at her job, they just didn't want to pay her retirement. Many more cases like this happen throughout America and they never go to court because they are so hard to prove.
ReplyDeleteYou talked about the fear of not being able to take care of yourself anymore and that is also a fear I have. I would not want to be a burden on anyone and that is also how many elderly people feel.
Thank you to every one
ReplyDeleteHahaha...I also thought of the people of the Bible and some of the ages that they were. I agree Charlene, very insightful post.
ReplyDelete