Ageism--Time for some real change in attitudes toward aging

The word ageism refers to prejudice against older people. The word was coined in the Sixties, at the same time that feminism and the civil rights movement made sexism and racism into big social movements. Nothing like that happened with ageism. Over 40 years later, it is still what some people call the last unchallenged social prejudice. When I entered my 50s, I realized that ageism just wasn't going to work for me, and shouldn't really be acceptable to anybody.

Our culture has espoused a rather dismal view of aging for decades, one that views aging as terrible sentence to be avoided at all costs, an inevitable decline into useless senility. Even though a great deal of research and the living experience of millions of older adults shows that this is a very limited, outdated and false idea, as a society we have continued to subscribe to the Decline Model.

I believe that a new paradigm on aging is emerging, one that recognizes the marvelous possibilities of the later years.  I personally find this time of life to be the happiest so far. One reason is that I have mellowed out. Another is that I have a bigger perspective because I've lived for 68 years. I have a better sense of what's really important. And I have grown to appreciate everything that shows up in my life much more than I did when I was younger. I'm certainly not alone in that because many recent studies report that older people are generally happier than younger adults.

Because we have paid so little attention to the positive value of aging and older adults, we have few role models. That's sad for younger folks and older ones alike. To assume that vivid leadership and accomplishment comes only in the younger years is just plain wrong. If you take a moment to think about it, there are many, many older people that are outstanding examples--who comes to mind for you? I think of people like Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard, poet Maya Angelou, back to the landers Helen and Scott Nearing, dancer Anna Halprin, just to name a few.

Gaea Yudron Sage's Play Exploring creative aging, wellness and spirit www.sagesplay.com