Forever 21

Forever 21 Dealing with Americas vexation of Aging and Death Abstract It is estimated by the Center for ailment Control and Prevention that there will be 71 meg U. S. adults everyplace the eldd of 65 by 2030 (CDC, 2011, May 11). It stick out be certain, as was with their predecessors, that the geriatric journey for these adults will be filled with quadruple anti- festerdness face creams and miracle hair growth products as they reluctantly cross everywhere to the last gunpoint of their lives.As shown non only through our media and social interactions outgrowth old is non the popular choice. Ironically, the reality is that senescence and dying is erect as significant as our first breath. It is a journey make by everyone and everything though it is fought with a resistance that cannot be denied. The basis of this motif will discuss the preconceptions and barriers, whether psychological or societal, that is linked with maturement, and steadfast approaches that can be u sed to cope with the senescent offset and the reality that bourneinal is eminent.Keywords ageism, aging, death, coping, geriatric, fear, quality of life Forever 21 Dealing with Americas Fear of Aging and Death A study performed by the subject atomic number 18a Consumers League reported that approximately 90 million Americans bargain for anti-aging products or squander surgical procedures performed to ward off the visible signs of aging each year (Nelson, 2005). As the baby boomer generation moves into their senior(a) long time, they whitethorn not be prepared for the psychological challenges that their predecessors experienced sooner them (Daniel, 1994).As Todd Nelson pictures in his article, Ageism Prejudice Against Our Feared Future Self, the old are treat as second-class citizens with nothing to offer parliamentary procedure (Nelson, 2005, p. 209). A look into model concluded that cured persons in the United States were perceived as warm, but incompetent (Nelson, 2 005, p. 215). Research suggests that the stereotyping of the older population is much more severe than originally thought, making it necessary for further research to bump appearances to reduce the disdain towards aging (Nelson, 2005).The prejudicial attitude associated with aging has not al slipway been this way. Historically, older individuals were once revered, and admired as they were considered saucy and experienced. They were the historians of the past, teaching the customs and values to the youthful, emerging generations (Nelson, 2005). The degeneration towards the old occurred by way of technology through the invention of the printing press which allowed extra of stories in mass distribution, making the elders status less(prenominal) significant. other factor was the industrial revolution as progress dictated where families lived. This new mobility requirement did not settle well with the less adaptive and older generation, breaking apart the traditional family struct ure in order to control employment elsewhere. Growing companies needed strength and adapt energy during that time so the young generation excelled professionally whereas experienced, older applicants were less valued. The advancements in medicine as well ext blocked a persons life expectancy, prolonging the caregivers responsibility to its elder (Nelson, 2005).In Todd Nelsons article, Ageism Prejudice against Our Feared Future self, he discusses the social prejudices associated with aging, and the subtle ways those prejudices are conveyed. His primary focus is our aging population of baby boomers, and how they will be affected by universe stereo roled in ways that are patronizing and degrading (Nelson, 2005). In an effort to thwart such negative attitudes, Jere Daniel, the author of Learning to acquit a go at it Growing Old, describes a vanguard movement that is committed to changing the way aging is perceived.These individuals have evoked the stipulation, conscious aging whi ch promotes awareness and sufferance of the aging process as we move through each stage of life. The supporters of this movement confer that aging is not a curable disease, and it cannot be solved by spending billions of dollars on preventing its process or its end (Daniel, 1994). Another supporter of changing the way aging is conveyed is author, Margaret Cruiksbank, of the book, Learning to be Old. In her book she is a proponent of changing the way the aging process is described. Her position is that the underlying centre of popular terms to describe aging weakens its value.She denotes that the term successful aging is a false language for the elderly as it masks both the wish to continue mid-life indefinitely and the white, Middle-class, westerly values of researchers, causing them to emphasize productivity, upshotiveness and license (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 2). She similarly concludes that the term productive aging symbolizes economic usefulness and social adaptity (Cruiksba nk, 2009, p. 2), curiously for the female gender. More importantly, these terms can be used to measure. This ability to measure is subjective to the questioner and an individuals self-worth.She suggests the term aging comfortably as it signifies easiness, and a faint hint of pleasurable lenience which may not have been possible in younger years (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 3). there has been decades of research examining what it referred to as automatic compartmentalisation (Nelson, 2005. p. 207). Researchers describe this as an essential trait in humans that is a primal solution to sensual characteristics, such as race, gender, and age, that automatically prompts emotional responses and prejudices. This type of categorization sets the anchoration for stereotyping (Nelson, 2005).The aging community is faced with an array of negative stereotypes that affects their independence as well as their self-perception. Many times the negativity is hidden, just nearly overlooked as it in an unconscious gesture unbek instantaneouslynst to each participant. Nelson discusses the use of patronizing language as a form of negative socialization. He states that researchers define its usage as overaccomodation and baby talk (Nelson, 2005, p. 209). This type of language is based on the stereotype that individuals suffer from hearing personnel casualty to a limited or degenerate intellect as a outlet of growing old (Nelson, 2005).Another form of stereotyping that has a debilitating effect on the aging adults self-esteem is a term called infantilization (Nelson, 2005, p. 210). This is described as a process that occurs over time as the aging adult relinquishes their independence, eventually leaving them to believe that they can no longer do for themselves. The aging adult is victim in accept that they are old, and subsequently begins to assume behaviorisms that depict old age such as moving and thinking more slowly. Researchers have found that this is prevalent in elders th at have been over accommodated.The end result is that it not only affects the elder person but burdens their caretaker as well (Nelson, 2005). Another prejudice that is special K is segregation of the old (Cruiksbank, 2009). Cruiksbank notes that even people over sixty five have a disdain for their peers, saying they do not want to be around all those people which may be their way of unconsciously avoiding their own mortality (Cruiksbank, 2009, p. 10). She states that distancing themselves may be a way they preserve their autonomy. Cruiksbank throws this as a form of denial, and also counterproductive as she eels solidarity needs to be exemplified by the old specially in this time of their lives. Gereontological research has also found other common patterns among the elderly and their peers. In another attempt to demonstrate independence, the elderly slope to generalize geriatric health issues. They segregate themselves by expressing how fortunate they are not to be suffering th e same doomed fate (Cruiksbank, 2009). on the whole forms of media reinforce negative stereotypes associated with aging (Daniel, 1994). By as early as six years old, negative stereotypes have already formed about aging.These stereotypes continue throughout our lives, and are subconsciously accepted without question. Daniel concludes that society has no role models that favor growing old. A nursing home ad with a dialogue that emulates the aging parent as a conundrum or burden further acerbates the stigma. Culture and media are designed to shelve the avertable as it is geared towards tour of dutying young, and delivers that message from fashion to health (Daniel, 1994). The result of these stereotypes is that as we age, impending doom invades the individuals thoughts.In an effort to conform to cultures idea of individualism, the aging population perpetually seeks an tortuous youth, thereby denying their mind and bodies the right to age (Daniel, 1994). It is not surprising thenc e as the consistence begins to breakdown, that the aging person feels embarrassed and insignificant (Cruikshank, 2009). There is an ongoing movement to re-adjust societys perception of what it means to age (Daniel, 1994). In an effort to shift the mindset of Americas aging, non-institutionalized studies have been done in American communities to determine the intellectual and cognitive effects of their aging population.The results concluded that physical and mental decline is not evitable Daniel, 1994). As the aging population grasps at their desire to have meaning in their lives, more attention needs to be focused on the affirmatory influences that can enhance their daily existence. These influences include a irresponsible attitude along with making healthy choices for themselves such as food, physical activity and recreation (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998). One way to improve the aging process is to be proactive in developing a healthy modus vivendi that includes good eating habit s and physical activity.Research has concluded that the mind is a virile tool in creating reality so protecting ones health can be a precept to a flake off future ailments (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998). The choice to give back to the community creates a meaningful and positive response in many ways. The benefit of socially connecting in a structured atmosphere lends opportunity to share not only wisdom but to develop new relationships that otherwise would not have occurred (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998).Studies have concluded that people who remain active have a clearer sense of who they are and what value they hold in society as well as their community (Kerschner and Pegues, 1998). For every beginning, there must(prenominal) be an end. There is term called vertical axis which describes the mind-body experience when an infant first enters the world. It is believed that prior to a persons birth, the mind and body are not aware of each other but as soon as they arrive, both are encaps ulated by sensation and emotion as the two entities meet for the first time (Carvalho, 2008, p. 4).With the help of a mothers touch, their union becomes a seamless ensemble (Carvalho, 2008, p. 4). The two live together, as one, for many years. It is not until the last stage of life, do they find themselves encapsulated by sensation and emotion again as now they have grown apart, separated as the aging body or mind is no longer able to oblige the other. They spend the eternal rest of their days laboring until they can agree to leave together, in death. Fear of aging can ignite or dim the remainder of a persons life. There is an array of products, books, and doctors promising new ways to reinvent the old self.In America, we are driven by the desire to stay young and because of this truth the aging person experiences certain prejudices. Though, despite the adversity, aging can be a catalyst to many wonderful and positive experiences that could only happen because one is old. One outd ated novelty, wisdom, is just waiting to be reinvented by todays aging population, and it would nice to see it be born again. * * * * * * * References Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, May 11). Cdc. Retrieved from http//www. cdc. gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/aging. tm Jere Daniel. (September 1, 1994). Psychology Today. In Learning to Love Growing Old. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http//www. psychologytoday. com/articles/199409/learning-love-growing-old. Cruikshank, M. (2009). Learning to be old, gender, culture, and aging. Rowman & Littlefield Pub Inc. Kerschner, H. , & Pegues, J. A. M. (1998). Productive aging a quality of life agenda. diary of the American Dietetic Association, 98(12), 1445. Retrieved October 1, 2012 from http//go. galegroup. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu2048/ps/i. do? id=GALE%7CA53479831&v=2. &u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w Nelson, T. D. (2005), Ageism Prejudice Against Our Feared Future Self. journal of Social Issues, 61207221. inside10. 1111/j. 1540-4560. 2005. 00402. x Retrieved October 1, 2012 from http//onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/10. 1111/j. 1540-4560. 2005. 00402. x/ plentiful Carvalho, R. (2008), The final challenge ageing, dying, individuation. Journal of Analytical Psychology, 53118. doi10. 1111/j. 1468-5922. 2007. 00699. x Retrieved October 1, 2012, from http//onlinelibrary. wiley. com. ezproxy. liberty. edu2048/doi/10. 1111/j. 1468-5922. 2007. 00699. x/abstract