Adult Development And Aging Issues

Commercials of any anti-aging products like Olay subtly hint the message that aging is a condition we need to battle, but it is inevitable one we will lose. The sales are driven not just by baby boomers and Gen X-ers, but also millennials who don’t like the idea of getting old. While taking care of yourself is healthy, the line of self-care keeps advancing and society today glorifies the youthful age so much so that a ‘youth-worshiping culture’ is embraced as normal.

Ageism is the one form of social prejudice that people from all social backgrounds must deal with. We live in a world where youth is valued over old age and where old people are often mistreated and negatively stereotyped. The elderly used to be a highly respected group and were admired for their experience and wisdom and now they`re often depicted as weak, unattractive, and senile. The stereotypes that are often seen in the media portray the elderly as frail, feeble, financially distressed, and not contributing to society. Leading to the idea of obsession with youth. Youth and beauty are glorified across all forms of media and we are taught at a young age the definitions of beauty standards. People are fixated on trying to look much younger than they are instead, of just ageing gracefully. Past research studied ageing society in several aspects. Policy makers had a tendency to focus on the elderly's needs and quality of life to promote activities for the present elderly while some researchers paid attention to younger generations' preparation for old age.

Aging changes our senses, our physical abilities, and appearance. We look in the mirror and feel confused as men and women almost uniformly feel pressure to look good for their age. What may be what most fear is when we get old we no longer can take care of ourselves and that no one will look twice at us, but that is a stereotypical fact. With, all the emphasis on Western beauty standards we rob our young people of how to age gracefully and to survive to old age and rob our older generation of the idea of normal aging. We can change these idealisms, by having a positive self-perception of aging. Self-perception of aging is defined as a personal evaluation of one’s aging.

Positive ageing is a term used to describe the process of maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and engaging fully in life. Having a positive outlook on aging may help keep you physically and psychologically younger. While, we`re young we should think how our actions would affect us when we`re older and should know that only survivors grow old to live long and healthy lives. There are many ways to age well tips include staying physically active with regular exercise and staying socially active with friends and family, etc. Embrace the thought that aging is a normal process and focus on living healthy rather than trying stay young because looks fades regardless in the end.