In chapter two, this learner
was taught that not only are there negative stereotypes but there are also positive
stereotypes about ageing, there is not a universally agreed upon definition of
an older person, having a positive self-perception is very important towards
life expectancy, negative stereotypes towards adults can begin as early as
childhood and of the consequences of stereotyping.
Ageism can affect
professional objectivity which can affect the future professional goal of
becoming a social worker. If a doctor
has a patient that is a older person that might be clinically depressed but
fails to diagnose their patient correctly because they view depression as a result
of getting older then that patient will not get the help they need. That person may one day become a client of a
social worker.
The most interesting thing
in the chapter was “the tragedy of stereotyping is that the individual becomes
objectified; that objectification is internalized by the older person, and a
vicious circle of loss of sense of self ensues” (p.34). A person can take a stereotype and
internalize it thereby making an untrue stereotype into reality. This not only affects the older person but
can affect those around him. The most
controversial was the results of a 2002 epidemiological study by Levy and
Banaji. They found that having a
positive self-perception toward aging increased life expectancy by seven and
half years than those who had negative self concepts towards aging (p.34). Factors that were previously thought to
contribute to a longer life, such as history of smoking, exercise and having a
lower body mass index, were found to have less of an impact than having a
positive self-perception. This learner
thought that having a positive self image was important but that comment
validated it because it was results from a study.
An individuals’ positive
or negative self-perception can affect the micro client system. Negative stereotypes can affect both mezzo
and macro levels of social work due to social workers can be employed by
nursing homes (mezzo level) and the government (macro). This
chapter was informative and interesting.
Hillier, S., & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging,
the individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 30-55). California: WADSWORTH
This leaner really enjoyed reading your post about chapter two. This leaner also believes that doctors miss signs pertaining to an elderly patient. Depression is serious and can be missed easily. This leaner was in shock how much negative stereotyping can affect the elderly population.
ReplyDeleteAgeing is seen negative in our society, mostly from the younger generation. The social networks, media, and other communication have had a negative outlook on aging (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). There are magazines that encourage to lie and advertise cream to stop aging at an early age. This negative advertising spreads fast and ultimately effects the elderly population (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). The elderly population self-perception is damaged because of negative stereotyping (Hillier & Barrow, 2011).
Overall, a positive outlook to aging has improved self-perception (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). Elderly population has grown in numbers and living longer. Today, science, technology and education has come a long way helping with the end result for the elderly population (Hillier & Barrow, 2011).
Hillier, S., & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed., pp. 3-28). California: WADSWORTH.
The author states that"the social metworks, media and other communication have had a negative outlook on aging" (Hillier & Barrow, 2011). This learner agree with that statement, billborads comparis a younger women to being ever mans dream, that same billborad will not show a older women as ever mans dream.
DeleteThe elderly population self-perception is damaged because of negative stereotyping (Hillier & Barrow, 2011) This learner feel we have a long way to go until seciety wake up with the stereotyping.
Hillier,S., & Barrow, G. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed, pp. 28). California: WADSWORTH.
Chapter Two was also found to be very interesting to this student as well. Learning how possessing a positive or negative self-perception has a direct effect on life expectancy was something this student had never contemplated prior to reading this chapter. The fact of possessing a positive self-perception can extend a person’s life by seven and half years is an important aspect to be aware of. If more people knew there was a possibility to extending their life, this may make a difference and eliminate some of the negative perceptions people possess. It is also interesting to learn there is not a universal agreed upon definition of an older person. What one society portrays as old may not be the same for another culture. Breaking the cycle of ageism and stereotyping may be difficult tasks to undertake since it is something learned at an early age, through fairy tales, portraying the elderly as bad or evil.
ReplyDeleteThis learner agree with how interesting we possess a positive or negative self-perception has a direct effect on life expectancy truly open my eyes to who i make comments about the edlerly.Now that we have the information it's up to us to change the minds of society and the us is the Social Worker, if Social Worker are to be effected in the field of advocating for those who can't advocate for them self.
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