I am choosing to review chapter two. This chapter presents an
abundance of insightful information that changed my perspective about my
thoughts and actions toward elderly individuals. “Stereotypes are generalized
beliefs or opinions based on individual experience, often produced by
irrational thinking.” Stereotyping can be detrimental to an individual, as well
as a society. This chapter explains that the generalizations of a particular group
are, in fact, ignorant and false. It is impossible to group a particular age of people into one category,
not everyone has the same health issues or personality traits. As humans when
we are told something, we will eventually become that and it is unfair. A study
conducted by Yales Psychologist Becca Levy found that, “age stereotypes, which
tend to be acquired in childhood or young adulthood and carried over into old
age, seem to have far-reaching effects on cardiovascular health (Levy, 2009)”.
For years the media has portrayed aging as negative phenomenon.
In movies the actresses who play elderly people are normally very young. This
gives spectators the misconception that we should all look that way when we get
older. More and more women are spending thousands of dollars on botox and
plastic surgeries to preserve their youth and conform to the idea that we
should look young forever. Job discrimination occurs with the aging people as
well, there have been several law suits from female news anchors who were
demoted, because they weren’t young anymore.
The media also affects children and young adults attitudes about aging
and elderly people. On T.V. shows they are portrayed as a “burden” or “incompetent”. These attitudes effect the relationships
between the generations, including health care and public policies.
“Ageism is also institutional: social policy establishes
required times for school, work, and retirement. This results to no small
extent in age segregation for most of the lifespan. Parents’ productive work is
carried out in settings that exclude both children and those now retired
(Hagestad & Uhlenberg, 2005).” If we are continuously segregated by our
generations, it makes it almost impossible for the different groups to become
educated about the other one. In order for the negative stereotypes to end we
must all put in an effort to learn and understand the other generation. Until
this happens we will remain ignorant and the elderly will continue to be pushed
aside.
Hillier, S., & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the individual,
and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28). California: WADSWORTH.
I did this chapter as well. I found it just as interesting. I never really had negative stereotypes at the elderly, although I did sometimes have negative things to say about stuff that they already do but I always told myself there's probably a reason or a good explination. Such as one time I played skip-bo with about four older ladies and they were all above the age of 80. It took them a little more time to play the game, understand it,and take their turn, when us as a younger generation have a little bit sharper minds and can grasp new things a little bit more easily. Another example is when older people drive slow, I start getting frustrated that I'm stuck behind them then I look down at the speedometer and realize were going at the actual speed limit. Just us as a younger group tend to be a little bit more impatient and in a hurry to get everywhere and do everything. I think people need to emphasize the more positive outlook on the older generation that way not everybody would have such negative feelings and would realize that they may end up in that position one day and will not want someone who is negative towards them.
ReplyDeleteThe elderly has never been a issue for me but they're have been certain events that i do not like when the elderly drives extra slow on the road and they're are some that are just bitter for no reason and its hard to be nice to those who does that. The younger adults are quick, hype, and ready to go all the time, on the move but the elderly view is a total different case they're joints aren't as good as they once were. But on the positive side medicine and technology has became so advanced that the life expectancy has increased and they're bodies are able to do more and move faster. But the stereotypes are changing also. When an older woman does things to alter they're appearance they also get judged for that.
ReplyDeleteI find it unnerving when actresses are young but play elderly people or are a love interest to a man twice their age. It seems the media would rather have a younger actress portray a role when it would make more sense for an older actress to have the role. What does this say to older actresses and to the public in general? It gives the idea that younger is better. I agree that the elderly is portrayed on television shows as a “burden” or “incompetent”. These attitudes towards the elderly can affect children and young adults who will most likely carry these ideas with them later in life. These negative attitudes can affect the way they treat older co-workers when they become working adults. This can affect their companies by lawsuits resulting from job discrimination. Money and time is wasted on lawyers and possible settlements when the discrimination could have been avoided with more positive attitudes about aging adults.
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