Essay on My Family: My Grandmother

Ageism, an idea created by Robert Butler, can be described as degrading behavior or emotions toward older people based on one’s own fears or preconceived ideas (Butler, 1969). This kind of behavior can consist of anything from refusing jobs to someone due to their age and perceived capabilities from not offering ideal care to older people because one believes it is wasteful of resources. The presence of ageism within society leads to a population bound by certain stereotypes that can prohibit the advancement of people considered to be older adults.

Getting old happens to everyone, it’s part of life. What we don’t realize or even think about is the way we treat these people. Some old people are impaired, or have injuries that prevent them from doing the things that we do. In several stories/folktales/poems, they have a universal theme of treating others, specifically elders, fairly, especially if they are impaired. Two very different poems/folk tales share this same theme, but have other different elements of the story. “The Old Grandfather and His Little Grandson” (folk tale) and “Abuelito Who” (poem) are the stories that will have their differences compared.

Ageism and stereotypes of older people can have an important impact on their physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing. Negative stereotypes of older people being dependent and decrepit can be internalized and become self-fulfilling. These ageist thoughts and stereotypes can lead to older people not seeking health care in general and to not get treatment appropriate for their illness or medical condition due to their age and not based on any other factor.

"Are the old real human beings? Judging by the way our society treats them, the question is open to doubt. Since it denies them what they conceive the necessary minimum, and since it deliberately condemns them to the utmost poverty, to the slums, to ill health, loneliness and despair, it affirms that they hold neither the same needs nor the same rights as other members of the community. In order to soothe its conscience, our society's ideologists have invented a certain number of myths - myths that contradict one another, by the way - which induce those in the prime of life to see the aged not as fellow beings but as another kind of being altogether" (Perrin, & Polowy 2008).

“The national attitude toward old people has made a 180-degree turn” in recent years (p. 86). This is an indicator that society now recognizes their value. Additionally, society now has ample data to support that with improved technology and pharmaceuticals

The aging population is the fastest growing population in our nation. By the year 2030, it is estimated that approximately 61 million people will be between the ages 65 -85 and 9 million individuals will be ages 85 and older (Ouchida &Lachs, 2015). Perceptions of the elderly have slightly changed for the better in recent years, but biases and discrimination are still very widespread in our society today. “Ageism” is a phrase coined by Robert Butler in 1969 and implies a preconception, prejudice, and discrimination against older adults and can come in many forms.

How do we determine what is a stereotypical discriminatory action and what is a genuine and proper display of consideration for the seniors we encounter? According to the Huffington Post, in many international cultures, such as Greece, the cultural stigma that the US holds around the subject of aging and dying simply don’t exist. Likewise, Native American elders are given great respect as members of the community who can pass down their knowledge. The common theme among the hundreds of tribes of North America is that their societies see death as a natural part of life. (Huffington

Merriam-Webster (1980) defines Ageism: any attitude, action, or institutional structure which subordinates a person or group because of age or any assignment of roles in society purely based on age; ageism reflects a prejudice in society against older adults. Discrimination towards the elderly is apparent throughout society. Society has a negative stereotype related to perceptions on aging. We live in a youth-oriented society that does not view the elderly with respect and dignity due to today’s culture and media. The emphasis that are put on ‘staying young’ are enforced on every level. From plastic surgery to every way you could think of to stay ‘young and healthy’ is everywhere you look. The outlook on growing old is a stigma. The stereotypes that are put on older people can be done subconsciously a variety of ways in our everyday life. A few of these stereotypes are: older people are lousy drivers, they are grouchy, weak and incapable. How many times have you been driving behind an elderly person and became aggravated. Or standing behind an older person checking out at a store, they are older, it takes them a little longer to do things. Or even in the ways people speak about the elderly and the negative energy that goes along with it. If you start to pay attention to it, you will start to realize how common it actually is. These characterizations allow our society to disregard the geriatric population and who they really are. There are numerous quality-of-life issues

What the article may have insinuated was that of the importance of care for the elderly, but also may have enforced elderly stereotypes. The articled talked about getting intensive geriatric service workers for those in need. An intensive geriatric service work would be someone who comes by to help a person who cannot do so on their own, such as visiting to make sure their eating and being taken care of, without them having to be in a home (The Record, 2010, B3). As the article portrays the elderly in a stereotypical way, we must move past it and realise that stereotype is not something we should follow. The reason for not following the stereotype of elderly, being portrayed as weak and always in need of help is the difference between chronological age and physical age (Lesson 8, 2016, p.2). The difference between the two is how one is compared to how old they may feel, some elderly feel as though they are younger than they are and that they do not require help or assistance. What research offers us is those who exercise regularly, eat healthier, and stimulate the brain with cognitive tasks as they get older, are at less chance of cognitive depletion, as in decrease in proper brain functioning as they age, such as memory loss, and even physical deterioration

Thao up a bit. The elderly are often seen as no longer being valuable members of society yet they

When most people envision an elderly person, their minds go to the iconic little old lady or man. They automatically think about them having psychological ailments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. With this assumption comes many unfair prejudices in the work place or other

This is a society of isms, racism, sexism, and ageism. It labels, stereotypes, and categorizes people, by shape, size, color, and age. The elderly in their later years should be able to have a peaceable life, treated with dignity and respect. However, pretty much anyone under the age of 50 is a target for an attack of an attitude of ageism at some point. Those who do the disrespecting don’t stop to consider that at some point, they will also be at the receiving end of that attitude.” (Webb)

I will tell you a tale of a woman of great success. This is a woman that has inspired me to be something great one day and to never give up trying. Though she may be growing into her elderly years she has lived a very challenging, joyful, loving and successful life. She is a woman of great faith and character, she is my grandmother.

She understood perseverance and the importance of people and she carried on against all odds. The last time I spoke to her, she knew exactly who I was, despite

There have been times where she didn’t have much left for herself, but she took what she had and gave it to someone who needed it way more than she did. You can begin to see what type of person my grandmother is. She’s always smiling and happy that she got to see another day. My grandmother is the type of woman who will go out of her way to see somebody else happy. She tells me every day that the reason she does all the things she does is because she had God to thank, and I admire her for that.