We live in a society that venerates youth. As we grow older, our physical and co

Question

We live in a society that venerates youth. As we grow older, our physical and cognitive abilities often begin to deteriorate, which can lead us searching for a way to return to our younger days. Think of all the lotions and potions available to keep us all looking and feeling young. It’s a billion dollar industry. TV, movies and magazines are filled with young people and often stereotype older adults. We are often surprised by people who “age well” because we’ve bought in to a particular idea of what it means to age in this country. My guess is that the older you are, the more you’ve noticed this

Reflect on your own personal experiences and interactions with older adults. Do you have a bias when it comes to these interactions? Taking the Harvard Project Implicit Test for Aging (https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html) may help you determine if you have an age bias. Note: After reading the disclaimer and selecting “I wish to proceed” on the main page, you can choose “Age IAT” to take the test. What role do our perceptions regarding older adults play in confirming or challenging these stereotypes?

Explanation / Answer

My age bias according to Harvard Project Implicit Test for aging is " Slight preference for older adults over the younger adults". This is because I percieve the older adults to be more stable and mature. From my own experiences in life, I have realized that as I grow older I am getting more stable, responsible, and mature. I complain less about things, I am able to accept life as it is, also my perception regarding life has broadened. Though signs of aging physically has started, as I am getting more grey hairs, physical stamina has decreased than before, but emotionally I am more stronger and calm. My impulsiveness has been replaced with calmness and politeness. I find most of the older adults to be calm, poised, and wiser than the younger adults. If our media and advertisement industry could have helped the people to age well, to value and respect the wisdom of older adults, then we would have given fair treatment to both the stages of life. Old age is inevitable, and life continues. Each stage of life has got its own giving and taking. So accepting our life stages would help us to happier and have contentment in life, otherwise we would always be running after a mirage of ever youth and trapped in it.

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