1. In reading both chapters, Cruikshank’s discussion of ageism had the greatest impact on me. This is because the author uses so many real-life examples that are deeply embedded in our everyday society, so much so that we often fail to notice their harmful effects. The example that resonated most with me was the depiction of older women in cartoons. As Cruikshank explains, older women often face restrictive and distorting stereotypes, being portrayed as grandmothers, hags, or spinsters. In fairy tales, for instance, a seemingly kind old woman may turn out to be a witch (Cruikshank, 2013).

This made me reflect on the old Disney films I grew up watching, where such portrayals were common. In Snow White, for example, the queen transforms into an older, haggard woman who lives in the woods and seeks to steal Snow White’s vitality and youth. Similarly, in Tangled, the mother figure is revealed to be an old witch who depends on the youthful beauty of a younger girl to sustain herself. These narratives reinforce competition among women and promote the idea that aging is something to be feared or resented. They teach young girls to distrust or even fear older women, presenting them as jealous, bitter, or evil simply because they are no longer young and beautiful.

Reflecting on these portrayals made me realize how deeply anti-ageism messaging is woven into our culture. We are exposed to these ideas from childhood, through stories and media that glorify youth and villainize aging. Cruikshank’s examples had such a strong impact on me because they helped me recognize how normalized and widespread these depictions are, showing just how deeply rooted ageism is in our society.

2. A stereotype that Cruikshank frequently discusses throughout the chapter is the idea of the “spunky older person.” Cruikshank notes that the use of the word spunky can be belittling, as it is a term more appropriately used to describe spirited pets (Cruikshank, 2013). In Dovey’s article, one of the authors also uses the word spunky to describe their elderly female character, later reflecting, “I started to realize that, in creating my spunky elderly female character, I had romanticized a version of old age that tells a story of progress, indulging a fantasy of who I might be when I’m old” (Dovey, 2015). Once again, we see the normalization of this belittling term, which is often associated with older women and reflects a misuse of the word. While spunky implies liveliness or boldness, its use in this context can subtly suggest that older people are not normally lively or assertive, which makes the term dismissive. It can also carry connotations of inequality, implying that vitality is surprising or unusual in older individuals—especially women. Regardless of age, anyone can be lively and spirited, and such traits should not be reduced to age-based stereotypes. It is possible to praise someone’s bold personality without resorting to degrading or patronizing language.

3. In Aronson’s chapter, the author shares her own experience with internalized ageism. After noticing gray hair in her thirties, she began to feel insecure about her changing appearance and started dyeing her hair to hide it. She associated gray hair with negative connotations, revealing how deeply she had internalized societal disdain toward aging. As she writes, “I also worried that I would appear older than I was or somehow less professional” (Aronson, 2019). Even someone like Aronson, a geriatrician who works closely with older adults, struggles with internalized ageism, illustrating how powerful and pervasive these societal messages about aging can be. No one ideally wants to grow old or watch their body change, and while aging is inevitable, embracing those changes can still be emotionally challenging, especially at a younger age. However, those changes do not diminish a person’s beauty or worth.

Similarly, in Dovey’s article, the editor reflects on reading a story about an older character and asks, “But what else are they, other than old?” (Dovey, 2015). This question also reveals internalized ageism — the assumption that being old is a defining or limiting characteristic of a person. It reflects the internalization of society’s ageist beliefs, the idea that once someone is old, their identity, complexity, or value is somehow reduced to their age. 

4. The use of language is important in any context, but it becomes especially significant when talking about older adults. A common word often associated with this group is grumpy. In Cruikshank’s discussion, the term is used to describe older women, who are often portrayed as “grumpy, frumpy, sexless, and uninteresting” (Cruikshank, 2013). Similarly, in Dovey’s article, the word grumpy appears in a description of old age as “populated entirely by grumpy old men and old women who are either lost to dementia or sprightly and renegade” (Dovey, 2015). Both authors highlight how language reinforces stereotypes, reducing older people to simplistic and negative caricatures.

I admit that in my own life, I have sometimes referred to older adults as grumpy because of what I perceived as their abrasive behavior. However, after taking this class, I have come to understand that much of this frustration stems from living in an unjust society that often belittles, overlooks, and mistreats them. Older adults face systemic challenges such as inadequate healthcare, overmedication, and social disregard. These barriers can naturally lead to frustration, which is then mislabeled as grumpiness. As a society, we play a role in perpetuating this stereotype through the language we use. By carelessly labeling older people as “grumpy,” we contribute to anti-ageist attitudes and overlook the deeper issues that cause these emotions. What is often perceived as grumpiness is, in reality, a response to being unheard, undervalued, and disrespected.

5. I took this class because I realized that in my life, I have had very limited interactions with older adults outside of my family. When I do interact with them, I often notice that I develop a sense of superiority, feeling the need to help with every task. I tend to reach out and offer help with even the smallest things so that they don’t have to burden themselves. While I often receive positive reactions and gratitude, there are times when I am met with resistance, as some older adults assert that they want or are able to do things on their own.

As a future social worker, I want to engage with the older population in ways that are truly beneficial and empowering for them. I recognize that I sometimes struggle to allow older adults to remain independent because I fear for their safety, even though I know that independence is important. Taking this class has opened my eyes to the significance of autonomy in later life and the importance of stepping back to let older adults do things for themselves. Even when they appear to be struggling, completing tasks independently can be deeply empowering.

Transitioning from being fully independent to needing regular supervision or assistance can be incredibly challenging and may lead to frustration and tension. This class has helped me understand that older people are not “grumpy” simply because of age, but often because they are overwhelmed by losing control over their own lives. They are fighting against their aging bodies, wanting to reverse time and reclaim autonomy, while society often pushes for more supervision and control.

As both a granddaughter and an aspiring social worker, I hope to find ways to empower older adults and create comfort as they age gracefully, even in a society that often denies them that opportunity. It is important to appreciate the wrinkles, the gray hair, the walkers, and to remember that life does not stop with age; it simply transforms and adapts to new possibilities.

Reference

Aronson, L. (2019). Elderhood: Redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life (1st ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing.

Cruikshank, M. (2013). Learning to be old: Gender, culture, and aging (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Dovey, C. (2015, October 1). What old age is really like. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/what-old-age-is-really-like