Chapter 2 Stereotypes and Images
I chose this chapter because it really describes the thoughts and feelings people have toward the older generation. It really was amazing to me because I have been in healthcare for 20 years and enjoy working with the elderly. Of course, I am seeing them at their most vulnerable-being sick. The book discusses the stereotypes that the younger folks put them in such as "illness, ugly, impotent, grouchy and other negetive names (Miller & Barrow, 2013). Gone are the days where the older generation was respected for their wisdom. The media has played a huge part in supporting negative stereotypes about the aging. The age of viewers has risen significantly however, the parts in most movies and television are played by the young. This makes the elderly all but invisible (pg 35). Plastic surgery and bowtox are more popular than ever right now. The good news is the older generation are able to be more active and healthier due to acheivements in medicine. My own mom-in-law who lives with us is always on the go. She is 82 and loves to shop and play cards. She is lucky though, some of her friends have no family to care for them or supplemental insurance. For some getting older is not all that great. They have to choose between their rent and their prescriptions. Besides children, they are one of the most vulnerable group of people (did I just stereotype?) and more should be done at the federal level for them.
Firstly I want to give you props for being in health care for 20 years. That takes a special kind of person.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that the older generation is no longer respected for their wisdom and I'm not sure that's entirely true. Yes, on a wide scale the elderly are looked down upon and seen as a burden however I think people still respect that they have lived long lives and have knowledge. This knowledge just isn't tapped into by the younger generation because they have a fear or are repulsed by the elderly.
Your mom-in-law sounds like an amazing woman and it's great to hear all she can do at 82! She sounds a lot like my grandparents and I hope they never stop being able to do those things. Medical achievements make this possible more and more every day.
I really thought this chapter was interesting as well! To learn the thoughts and feelings that different age groups have on this population was really surprising. It makes you wonder what influences these children, young adults, and other members of society to have these thoughts and stereotypes. The media, I agree 100% is largely to blame for nurturing negative stereotypes, but where are the parents that are raising these children to think this way? When did the teachings of respect for the elderly begin to decline? I believe that stereotypes and prejudices are self-induced; we have created these boxes to place people in based upon their characteristics, like age for example. But, you're right, the definition of "old" is changing, the older populations are more active and healthier than in years past. Just as I noted in my Blog post, whether a person is young, old, or middle-aged, they are all individuals and should be treated as such. There may be 90 year olds living alone and caring for themselves, and 65 year olds that are completely dependent on others to assist their everyday activities. These people should be accessed individually as human beings, rather than a population of "old people".
ReplyDeleteHow do I enter a post??? I've been on here since 3pm trying to figure out how to post a blog!
ReplyDelete