No Age Limits

24 Replies

I have found that those in their nonage

look upon me who is slightly more than middle age

as probably

nonagenarian or maybe even centenarian

These persons to whom I provide tutelage

have at times have had the temerity

to imply my antiquity

This causes me to query

Is ageism inborn or instilled by society?

 

This is my post for Stream of Consciousness Saturday hosted by Linda G Hill. The word for today is “no.”

24 thoughts on “No Age Limits”

  1. weebluebirdie

    I guess it’s both. When you’re young, anything over twenty is too abstract to comprehend. As everyone ages, they want to hold on to that sense of immortality and perfectly taut skin; and so youthfulness is valued too much.

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. weebluebirdie

        That’s true, and I can’t deny that I don’t try to keep some of those signs at bay. I’ve always moisturised and these days my hair colour has regular restoration work!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Bee Halton

    Oh dear, what are you talking about (and I do not mean the ageism I think that is an inborn problem of our society) ????? I shall take my holiday next week and read up on the words used. Thanks for challenging me 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. JoAnna

    But didn’t people used to respect their elders more? I blame the media. All those advertisements trying to get us to buy products to make us look younger… They are such an easy target.

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. wendyj59

    I think our perception changes as we age and as times change. I can remember thinking my parents’ generation were quite old when in their 40s and 50s but of course when I reached that age I wasn’t old! But there is more pressure now to stay looking younger. I don’t bow to that though.

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      It is not only perceiving someone is old, it is attaching a negative connotation to “being old.” The kids that remark on it, see it as something bad. That is the part that bothers me most. I am glad you are not bowing to all the pressure. 🙂

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  6. Yolanda Renee

    It is instilled at an early age, one of my first nightmares, one that woke me nightly in tears, was seeing myself an old wrinkled woman. It scared the life out of me. Still haven’t figured out why. I was only 8 then. Still haven’t figures out that dream or why I was so frightened. 🙂

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      Yours is a very interesting comment. There are many of these images in fairy tales of old wrinkled women who are something to be feared, like witches. This is a way that negative stereotypes and fears can be instilled.

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      2. Deborah Drucker Post author

        You may not have thought of yourself as a witch but there is this association with the old being something to be feared and ugly and witches were often old women. 🙂

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      I will have to check out your post. I have been sensitive to some of depictions I have seen in children’s books. I know it has an effect. I read an article recently where the person was complaining about how grandparents are depicted in children’s books and that it is not an accurate image of grandparents today. 🙂

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  8. cleemckenzie

    I did three posts on the issue after stumbling onto a study that made me curious and led to some minor research and cursory conclusions. Here are the links for when you’re not AtoZing. Let me know what you think.
    1.http://writegame.blogspot.com/2016/02/teen-bookfest-and-unintentional-ageism.html
    2.http://writegame.blogspot.com/2016/02/more-about-ageism-in-pbs-great-meme-hop.html
    3.http://writegame.blogspot.com/2016/03/winners-ageism-in-pbs-volume-3.html

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      Yes, well I think we all pick up these negative ideas about what being “old” is from early on. I have found these prejudices in myself as well. It is an added stress to cope with at times when the prejudice is directed at me. 🙂

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