Aging Stereotypes

Grumpy, stubborn, depressing, mean, unappreciative, immobile, and boring are all stereotypes that I have heard about elderly. I am fairly patient with elders, but I can see how other young people may place these stereotypes on older people. Since elders generally have a different point of view than young a barrier is created which causes young people to have a negative view of elders. I do not think all of these stereotypes apply to all elders. I think that elders reflect how their life was spent so their characteristics vary.

If an older person has lived a long life without a significant other, they are more likely to be grumpy or mean. If an elder is used to getting everything he wanted, then it will cause him to be stubborn or unappreciative. I think this is where the stereotypes generate from and I believe some of them are true. But I believe this development of characteristics work both ways so those should not be the only stereotypes. For example: an elder that feels their life has been fulfilled would be a more relaxed, positive person.

I know several elders that do not fit these stereotypes such as my 60 year old uncle who jogs daily. He defiantly does not fit the stereotype of being immobile. I just think as young people we do not socialize with elders regularly so we label them with basis statements because we are not accustom their ways.