Comments on: An Insidious “ism”: Ageism

By: Brenda Friedrich

Brenda Friedrich — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:11:49 +0000

I appreciate that you are calling attention to this. I am concerned about ageism also, but — to play devil’s advocate here — I think many of us have to admit to a degree of complicity. How many of us are into ‘anti-aging cream’ or color our hair to mask the gray as if it were something to be ashamed of? One of my siblings even begged me to color my tresses, because she hated introducing me as her younger sister! And we’re only in our forties!

You are right, Brenda. I readily admit that I color my hair, and I look for miracle wrinkle creams. But, wanting to look good and feel good about myself doesn’t necessarily mean that I hate getting older. I think that ageism works both ways…old people thinking that kids know nothing and young people thinking that the old folks are useless. I guess my problem is with prejudice of any kind. You just can’t assume that a person is any particular “type” just because of age, gender, color, or religion. They’ll fool you darned near every time.

By: Larry Lehmer

Larry Lehmer — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:39:15 +0000

Love this post, Shelly. In fact, you so inspired me that I mentioned it in one of my posts this week. I especially appreciated you pointing out what an old fogy Ben Franklin was in relation to the other Declaration of Independence signers. Thanks.

And, I appreciate the link, Larry. I always have admired old Ben. Such brilliance, and he must have been a charming fellow to be a ladies man in his 70s!

By: Lisa Milton

Lisa Milton — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:45:34 +0000

Great post, Shelly. I don’t know how we combat stupid, in all its forms.

But I’m willing to try.

We gotta try, Lisa. It’s all a steer can do.:lol:

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:18:16 +0000

In many ways I believe our media is responsible for the view of age as not having value. Once you reach a certain age, you tend to buy things because you (1) really need them or (2) you want to upgrade to a better quality of thing you really need.

Companies rise and fall on their ability to sell more and more stuff to more and more people. The biggest return on investment in advertising is 18 -34 and for the expensive things 25-54. Once you pass 50, you start to cease to exist because you are no longer a “customer”.

All of the images and people are geared to those money spending groups, so face lifts for everyone if you expect to appear in public with any expectation of respect.

I think your observation is right on target. I have no clue how that could be changed. I don’t want a face lift…thanks! I’m trying to grow old with a little dignity. Very little.

By: kacey

kacey — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:39:25 +0000

That was a great post. I’d seen that post at Savvy Boomer. I don’t know why we no longer respect our elders. They have so much life knowledge. You know as I get closer to having that elder label myself, I get tired of the quest for youth. The quest for health, I understand. For youth? Not so much.

At my age, 54, I figure that I’m past middle age…since I probably won’t live to be 108. I don’t know that I want “youth” as such, but I wouldn’t mind if gravity would quit pulling everything down!

By: Cindee

Cindee — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:06:55 +0000

We call them Fossils in our house…LOL My dad is 79 and he works harder then most 20 year olds. He is a stud! LOL My mom is 76 and still works doing hair! I don’t think age is the way to judge anyone. I know they look old but you need to talk to old people to really find out what is going on in their heads. My great aunt is almost 102! She is full of life. Her body is giving out on her but her mind is still going strong. Older people have a great understanding of life and therefore should be kindly considered. Knowledge is power after all! It is very interesting to talk to an older person. They have a lot to talk about! They would make great teachers…and Presidents…etc…(-:

Fossils, indeed. I’ve always enjoyed conversation with my elders, which is probably why I wound up being a storyteller. No matter a persons age (whether young or old) I just think we need to not have pre-conceived notions.

By: The Savvy Boomer

The Savvy Boomer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:18:12 +0000

A commenter gone wild….

After I posted about some ageist comments I found on a few sites last week, one of the ageist bloggers took offense to my statement of facts. She was civil enough with her comments but some disturbed (to put it…