There were many ageism detailed information that has fascinated me deeply, there is one that has the greatest impact. It is fascinating that ageism is really a part of every aspect of like that has to do with another person. Then, there is an internal alignment with ageist stereotypes. So, even when no one is around one can be both the aggressor and the victim in ageist beliefs and actions. It stood out to me that the woman in Aronson’s book. Eva is noted to have been ignored and bypassed when hailing a taxi. I found this so confusing and so close to the feeling of hate and discrimination, but it was confusing because it seemed to me that the stereotype for older adults would include being integral and upstanding, wise people. This population would be least likely to jump into a cab and finish the ride without paying, and tipping! Just like -ism’s of so many other kinds. A person always loses when they discriminate.
Some of the classic literature mentioned by Cruikshank I did not know and needed to look into in a separate search. Cinderella, I did know. German folk stories I was unfamiliar with but did identify the stereotypes presented to be associated with older adults being honoree, witches and emotionally cruel.
“Moves the goalpost” is how Dovey describes internalized ageism, there always must being movement. Cruikshank has an opinion that I agree with mostly, he says that in America there is a consensus that aging is something that should be avoided and remedied by modern technological advances.
I was surprised and was presented with yet another opportunity for learning and evolving when I saw Cougar being presented in a demeaning way, up to this point I didn’t realize that was the intention. I had a light consideration but not capturing the gravity of the limitation that was also implied. Basically, the inability to have a modest and mutually valuable intimate relationship with someone else after a certain age and being single.
The reason I took this class was because I am layering my education about older adults and growing older personally. I want to impact the lives of older adults in my career. I am not as certain about my path, but I do know that the insight and information presented in this class has increased both my knowledge and compassion towards this population. I have a desire, no matter my career path, to handle this population with the greatest of honor and care and this class has done a phenomenal job at exposing me to the matters that help me walk more confidently in the direction of being a part of the solution for older adults.
References
Aronson, L. (2021). Elderhood: Redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Cruikshank, M. (2013). Learning to be old: Gender, culture, and aging. Rowman & Littlefield, Publishers.
LaCher,
I know this has been a challenging semester for you and I appreciate that you were trying to get this post finished and submitted. I think perhaps you were a little bit ahead of your understanding of the readings when you needed to finish the post. Here are a couple of thoughts I have about what you wrote.
First, your discussion about Eva and the cab issues is a good one, and many of your classmates were struck by this story in Aronson’s chapter. But it wasn’t about being stiffed for the fare when they wouldn’t pick her up. It was about her taking longer, begins slower, and all of those factors reducing the money they could earn during that period of time. This is a common issue for older adults not just for cabs, but restaurants and other service industries.
Your discussion of Cruikshank and Dovey is accurate, but there is so much more depth there than you could describe. I encourage you, when your life slows down just a bit, to read the Dovey article in full. I think you would enjoy it when you had the time.
I am sorry but I do not understand the Cougar reference at all. Perhaps it was something in one of the readings that I missed, but I didn’t get that one.
I am glad this class gave you a more in depth understanding of the issues facing older adults. I hope you continue to explore these issues at a time when life might be a bit slower and the world not quite so complicated.
Dr P