THE OLDER GENERATION (BY BARBARA WEISBERG; 855 words) 1- Not too long ago, I attended a reunion with relatives I hadn’t seen since I was a child. The reunion was filled with joy and unexpected discoveries. I was particularly delighted to learn that an 87year-old uncle of mine still raises, cares for, and rides his own horses. Although rapidly losing his eyesight, he jokes that, because the horses are so large, he expects that he’ll still be able to see them for a long time to come. Listening to him, I was surprised not only by his physical activity, but also by his sense of humor and acceptance as he faces the inevitable loss of his sight. The Process of Aging 2- Not everyone can continue to be as physically active in old age as my uncle has been. Some organs and functions decline as we grow older. Eventually, we may begin to walk more slowly or to hear or see less well. Some of us may become ill with diseases that strike the old more frequently than the young: arthritis or Alzheimer’s, for example. The old, like the young, are individuals. They experience their old age—as they did their childhood, youth, and middle age—in distinctive ways. 3- Moreover, the process of aging isn’t just physiological. It has emotional, social, and intellectual aspects, too. Factors ranging from personality to health care can influence the process. Some older adults are generally cheerful; others are not. Some are generally in good health; others are not. Most older people, like younger ones, have good days and bad. Images and Attitudes 4- Whatever the differences among individuals, the experience of aging is to some extent affected by a society’s attitudes towards its elders. It has been said that Americans value youth over age, individuality over community, and competition over cooperation, and this statement holds some truth about mainstream American culture. Certainly, many Americans harbor stereotypes about the process and problems of aging. For example, in this culture we tend to view old age almost exclusively as a time of diminished physical abilities, health, and mental clarity. We may believe that the elderly regret that they are no longer young. We are convinced that they must, of course, feel sad about losing physical vitality, while we ignore the benefits gained through maturity and experience. In addition, since their ideas about how to do things sometimes differ from our own, we may dismiss a lot of what our elders have to say. 5- These ageist attitudes have been shaped by our country’s history. Beckoned onward by this continent’s vast expanses, many Americans in the nineteenth century abandoned their families and communities to travel west in search of new opportunities. At the same time, the nation shifted from an agricultural to an industrial economy. Individuals who had once farmed or held jobs close to home now went off to work in crowded urban factories. Youth and vitality seemed essential in the struggle to succeed. The elderly came to be viewed as irrelevant. 6- Today, bias against the aged continues. Although consumers in their 60s may have income to spend, the worlds of media, fashion, and advertising prefer to court consumers in their 20s and 30s. Older workers may face job discrimination. The nation’s stress on the importance of the nuclear family—parents and children—can leave older relatives such as grandparents feeling isolated. Forced to cope with health and financial issues on their own, even elders who cherish their autonomy and independence may feel vulnerable. The Generation Gap 7- Of course, living in extended families or having a tradition of honoring elders doesn’t guarantee harmony. Different generations often still struggle with what has famously been called the generation gap. A gulf in values, attitudes, and lifestyle can separate those who are older from those who are younger, parents from offspring, and immigrants to the United States from their children raised here. Older adults, for example, may feel disappointed if their grandchildren do not provide the expected consideration and respect. Young people may sometimes feel burdened with demands that seem unfair. 8- In most circumstances, understanding, mutual consideration, and negotiation can go a long way toward resolving problems. Remember that each generation has so much of value to offer. By sharing their wisdom and memories, older generations connect us to our family’s past—and help us to live in the world today. By sharing their experiences and interests, younger generations connect us to our family’s future, helping us to live in the world today. A Long Life 9- According to a study reported in the New York Times in 2006, there is a community of women in New Jersey who statistically—that is, estimated as a group—live longer than anyone else in the United States. Their average life span is a little more than 91 years of age. East Asian in origin, these women attribute their longevity—at least in part—to enjoying a healthy diet, having access to good health care, and feeling part of a loving and accepting community. As a society these are gifts that we surely can attempt to provide to one and all.
