Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Stigma Associated with Age

In the USA Hollywood and the media obsess over the young and attractive. In many cultures around the world the old were treated as the most respected and admired in the society. In the United States people tend to look down on the older generation and treat them as if they are incapable of doing normal everyday things. This is mostly in my opinion of how the media has attached a stigma to being old. This stigma leads to stereotyping most elderly people as handicapped or helpless. We treat old people as secound class citizens and do not consider them a major help to society.

16 comments:

  1. Your are right old people aren't treated with respect nowadays. A big problem in our society.

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  2. pretty terrible...didnt the nazis do a similar thing?

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  3. you're right. it's difficult to draw the line between productive and a liability.

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  4. In the Philippines, the elders and children are equally treated. great post

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  5. I do not treat elderly people as second class citizens, but I do treat them as second class drivers. Stay the hell off my road.

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  6. I'll hate being that old, with everyone talking to me like I'm retarded.

    It's not like they don't do it now, but I'll hate it then too...

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  7. I have a little bit of a different opinion. I honestly believe that if "old people" have the desire and will to do something, then they will. They may need help depending on what that thing may be but I know for a fact that just because you're old doesn't mean you're helpless. My 70 year old grandfather still goes outside and chops wood, fixes up the house and many other things. He still changes his own oil.

    In my opinion, let the old people do what they want and don't get in their way unless they ask you to help. They are still quite capable of completing infinitely many tasks until they are literally dead and gone.

    Maybe not driving*

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  8. Very interseting. Well done, mate

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  9. whatever happened to respecting your elders? I think you have hit the nail right on the head with this post!

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  11. homes are getting more people than they should :/

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  12. I do notice the stigma and wonder why they are looked down upon. What ever happened to looking up to our elders?

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  13. I actually wish old people were useless. Where I live old people retire at quite a young age (between 60 and 70, depending on their jobs) but then usually keep on working. That means, they get their pension from the government AND get money from their employers.
    This is messing up things for the young because it's harder to find jobs and salary are getting lower (because old people can accept lower than average salaries since they earn their pension).

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