From Cruikshank, the most striking discussion is her breakdown of how stereotypes seep into everyday systems like media, work, law, and even families. The idea that ageism is not just individual bias, but a cultural script felt uncomfortably familiar. Her point about appearance standards shaping who is seen as competent or worthy stayed with me because it shows how quickly older adults get sorted into a lesser category based on looks alone, which she connects to internalized ageism and society’s fixation on “old” as a negative identity marker. In Aronson, the strongest example is her father’s story and the way clinical assumptions influenced life and death decisions. She shows how age labels can reroute care before anyone asks what matters to the person. Together, they taught me that good aging practice must begin with interrupting assumptions at the point of decision. That means slowing down asking older adults what they want, being mindful of language, and questioning policies that treat age as a problem rather than part of someone’s identity.
Cruikshank also describes the common stereotypes that cast older people as weak, rigid, or dependent. She points out how these ideas are so deeply woven into society that they start to feel natural. Dovey’s article “What Old Age Is Really Like” explores this same issue through literature. As she tried to write a novel about an eighty-eight-year-old man, she realized she had created a stereotype: the “Generic Old Man” who was grumpy, lonely, and confused, and the “Eccentric Old Woman” who wore bright colors and gave out pamphlets. This realization mirrors what Cruikshank says about how easily we reproduce stereotypes without realizing them. Dovey’s conversations with writers like Penelope Lively, Jenny Joseph, and Fleur Adcock show how powerful it can be to resist those portrayals. Their writing treats aging as part of the human experience, still full of curiosity, creativity, and even humor. Cruikshank explains how stereotypes form, while Dovey shows how storytelling can help us move beyond them.
Cruikshank defines internalized ageism as turning cultural bias inward until it shapes self-esteem and behavior. Aronson’s examples show older adults who reject help or hide pain because they do not want to be seen as “too old.” Her father’s story also reveals how families and doctors may unintentionally accept limited expectations for older adults, which can lead to fewer choices or less care. In Dovey’s article, internalized ageism shows up in her own writing process and in the reflections of the older writers she interviews. Fleur Adcock’s poetry captures both the pain and humor of aging, showing acceptance instead of shame. Penelope Lively’s memoir “Ammonites and Leaping Fish” presents old age as a time of freedom and reflection. She says that being old has given her a sense of authority and appreciation for life. Both women’s perspectives show that aging can be reclaimed from within, not feared or resisted.
Language is another powerful part of ageism. Cruikshank writes about “elderspeak,” which is the overly sweet or simplified way people sometimes talk to older adults. It makes them sound childlike and takes away their dignity. Aronson focuses on how clinical terms like “failure to thrive” or “no code” can shape how professionals talk about death and care. Dovey’s examples show how language in literature can do the same thing. When stories only describe old age as decline, readers start to believe that is all it can be. But when writers use language that shows humor, love, and curiosity, they help reshape how society sees aging. In my own life, I have noticed how people use the word “still” in questions like “You still drive?” or “You still live on your own?” It sounds harmless but carries a quiet judgment. Now I try to ask questions that show respect, like “How do you usually get around?” instead of focusing on what someone can or cannot do.
Aronson writes, “Geriatrics is medicine as old age is to society,” and the reaction she gets when she says she is a geriatrician proves her point. People avoid the topic of aging, even though it affects everyone. I took this course because I wanted to understand aging better and learn how to advocate for older adults. The hardest part for me has been realizing how normal ageism feels in everyday life. It hides in jokes, policies, and even in how care systems are set up. To challenge it, I plan to start with three changes. First, I will pay attention to my language and avoid phrases that sound patronizing or limiting. Second, I will ask questions that focus on each person’s goals rather than their age. Third, I will bring what I have learned into future work by sharing these ideas with others and speaking up when I see ageist behavior. Even small changes in language and mindset can make a big difference in how older adults are treated.
In the end, Cruikshank explains how ageism works; Aronson shows how it affects real people, and Dovey offers a creative way to challenge it. Together, they reveal that understanding aging is more than just theory or care practices. It is about learning to see older adults as whole people, capable of growth, love, and meaning at every stage of life.
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.
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
Karley,
I think your first paragraph is a great description of the point of this class. “Begin with interrupting assumptions at the point of decision.”. That is a great phrase and an important lesson.
Nice job with the linkages between Cruikshank and Dovey.
I loved your discussion of internalized ageism using Fleur Adcock’s portray and Penelope Lively memoir. I love both of those pieces and if you haven’t, I recommend you read them both.
Your discussion of the three authors regarding ageist language was excellent. And I applaud your three point strategy to attack ageism. Nicely done.
Dr P