1. I thought Cruikshank’s talk about internalized ageism was the most interesting one. This is when older people believe and even spread ideas that make them feel less important. This had the greatest impact on me because it made me think about how my grandma is always saying she is too old to do something. This taught me how older adults can even stereotype themselves, and that they should be looked at as individuals instead of stereotypes they may even give themselves.
2. Cruikshank talks about how people think that getting older means losing their looks, their worth, their ability to count on others, and their ability to be attractive. For example, how older people are shown in a stereotypical way in traditional literary works. Dovey talks about similar ideas in the media and pop culture, like how old people are “out of touch” or “a burden.” Both authors emphasize the significance of these images in influencing perceptions of older individuals in both public and private contexts. The facts show that ageism is not a personal problem but a cultural one.
3. Aronson’s clients show how internalized ageism works, which is when older people start to believe they don’t need help or care. The patient who received inferior care due to believing it was “normal for her age” exemplifies the impact of ageism on self-perception (Aronson, 2019, p. 142). Dovey has a similar idea for older people who don’t talk to other people because they think they are invisible or don’t matter. These two examples show how older people are treated as less than due to ageism.
4.
Example: Cruikshank (2009, p. 142) uses the term “elderspeak” to illustrate the concept of ageism in language. People say that elderspeak is a language that is too simple and makes older people feel bad.
Example: Aronson doesn’t like the way doctors talk about the deaths of their older patients, because it sounds like getting older is the same as dying (Aronson, 2019, p. 141).
I have experienced this phenomenon myself. For example, I have always heard older adults in my family talk about themselves in a way that makes their lives seem like it is a waiting game for death once they get older.
5. I originally joined this class to obtain more knowledge about older adults to decide if this would be a population I would genuinely want to focus on. I wanted to know how and in what ways I would be able to help this population. The most difficult issue for me to deal with would be how older adults look at themselves. This is the most difficult issue for me because I would have to work to change their own perspective of themselves. To overcome this situation, I would keep learning new things, work on being more empathetic, and make sure that my older clients feel valued and accepted.
You did such a great job connecting ideas about beauty standards to what’s happening today. I hadn’t thought about how common cosmetic procedures have become even for younger people. I also liked how you tied Aronson’s internal struggle with aging to the broader idea of internalized ageism; it really shows that no one is immune to these pressures. Your point about how both “grumpy old” and “wise elder” stereotypes can be limiting was spot on it’s a great reminder that older adults deserve to be seen as full, complex people, not simplified characters.
Corissa,
Your post got me thinking about so many things. Firstly, I’m curious about your interpretation of the photo you chose. It could be a woman who fully accepts herself and knows that she will age joyfully. It is also possible that the woman is disillusioned and views herself as being older than she is. This second option made me think of body dysmorphia and gender dysphoria. I wonder if there is something similar for older people who experience an incongruence between their chronological age and internal feelings. It’s possible that this is simply the aging person’s instinct to cling to their former self. I’ll look into that further. Thank you for the idea.
I can see why you might be inspired to come to this work. You have personal experience with family members that equip you in a unique way to uplift older adults. Your ability to see people as whole, worthy human beings will be a great service to your clients. Validation is the first step to self-acceptance and self-love.
Hi Corissa, I really liked how you explained internalized ageism and connected it to your grandmother because it made your point feel very real. I agree that older adults sometimes adopt these stereotypes without realizing it, which shows how powerful social attitudes can be. You also made a great connection between Cruikshank and Dovey in showing that ageism is more of a cultural issue than a personal one. I thought your point about helping older adults see their own value again was thoughtful and shows real empathy for this population.
Carissa,
You have raised some good issues from the readings and done a nice job connecting them to your personal experience. I think it is difficult to think about how we internalize what we should want to reject, right? When we begin to take on the view of the oppressor, that’s when we really have problems.
Dr P