Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 4/20/04 Section: Opinion>>Columnists

NANCY HIKOYEDA [Click to enlarge]

I am growing increasingly more frustrated each day. Why would a normally calm, mild-mannered, inscrutable faculty member become so emotional? What could possibly cause this sudden feeling of angst?

The answer is simple - ageism. We are being conditioned to worship youthfulness at the expense of older adults. I am a gerontologist - I study the physical, biological, psychological and social aspects of aging and the implications for our society. Ageism is prejudice and discrimination based on a person's age. While ageism could also apply to young people (e.g., when adults comment on the "irresponsible" nature of today's younger generation), the marginalization of older adults is based on widespread negative stereotypes and assumptions about the horrors of old age. However, while some individuals do age with difficulty, most of these stereotypes have been repudiated.

For example, there is a myth that the old are abandoned by their families and placed in nursing homes, because they become a burden. In fact, only 5 percent of elders live in a nursing home at any one time, and they are the most frail individuals. More than 80 percent of hands-on caregiving is actually done in the home by family members.

Another stereotype holds that old people are all physically frail and demented. While we lack specific numbers, membership among individuals age 50+ to health clubs is climbing, and more older adults participate in exercise classes, hula and belly dancing classes, tai chi, yoga, hiking, biking and other activities than ever before. Thus, the "new old" could potentially be healthier and live longer than any other generation.

Don't get me wrong - I love babies and precocious children. I have tried to overlook the Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of the teen years. I respect and admire college students who are working two and three jobs to complete their educations.

I am amazed at the resourcefulness of today's parents who juggle children, family, a multitude of activities and jobs. I believe middle-aged adults are doing the best they can to make this crazy world a better place to live. I advocate for intergenerational activities.

But what is wrong with getting older? We are all aging from the moment we are born. Is it fear of death? Jealousy? Denial? And if we believe that aging is a negative experience, how did we get to feel that way? The answer lies in our values as individuals and as a society.

Let me give you an example and point out an interesting paradox. Have you noticed the growing number of ads lately for products and surgical procedures that will "erase wrinkles," "get rid of liver spots," "improve sexual dysfunction due to age" and make you "feel and look young again"? It seems people will do anything to eliminate the signs of aging. But at the same time, retail merchants spend billions of dollars on marketing sensual, trendy merchandise aimed at making the young look, act and feel older. So older consumers want to be younger and the young desire to be older.

Ageism will be an important issue in the coming decades as our older population grows faster than ever before.

The now-infamous baby boomers will swell the ranks of senior citizens to more than 75 million people in the coming decades. Think of all the diversity, accumulated wisdom, experience, tenacity, humor, courage, skills, strengths, weaknesses and differences in personalities those older adults will possess. Their potential for creating social change for a better world will be enormous. Think of all the opportunities for careers in aging - but be aware, institutions of higher learning and training tend to place a low priority on gerontology programs and courses.

There is an important caveat - older adults are extremely diverse. We must consider the unique circumstances of the under-served elders of color and different cultures and the barriers they face as they age. We must advocate for social change to stabilize or replace those programs that enable older adults to thrive (e.g., Medicare and Social Security). We must also strive to protect those vulnerable elders in greatest social and economic need. All will suffer if ageism is allowed to continue.

Rather than being an ageist nation, we should look forward to the approaching age wave with its potential for contributions, creativity and innovations. We should also consider preparing ourselves and our families for older adulthood by rethinking our personal attitudes about what it means to be old. We can age well and live well. But first we must stamp out ageism!

Nancy Hikoyeda is the director of the gerontology program.

Guest columns usually appear Thursdays.

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