In today's society, youth does appear to be valued much more than older age, and that in itself can bring on depression and anxiety for the older adult.
This couple's beautiful story is truly inspiring!
Friday, July 4, 2014
Aging in a Youth Focused Society
The following video depicts a lovely couple, Richard and Alice, who chose to confront their aging process head on, and confront the fear and anxiety that it brings.
In today's society, youth does appear to be valued much more than older age, and that in itself can bring on depression and anxiety for the older adult.
This couple's beautiful story is truly inspiring!
In today's society, youth does appear to be valued much more than older age, and that in itself can bring on depression and anxiety for the older adult.
This couple's beautiful story is truly inspiring!
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I think it is so sad that America is one of the few countries that do not revere its seniors. Around the world most cultures value their elders but Americans seem to have no issue ignoring, abusing, and discriminating against our senior population. We are so focused on youth that we give no respect to the contributions of those that went before us. I think it accounts for most of the isolation and corresponding depression that so rampant among seniors.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I totally agree with you regarding Americans' views of older adults. It really is sad to think that so many other countries have so much respect for older people because of their wisdom and the fullness of life they've lived, while us Americans try to push them off to the side and out of the way because they are seen as not bringing any economic value anymore and are just burdensome to deal with. I also agree that this mentality plays a big role in the isolation, depression and other mental health issues that these older adults experience.
ReplyDeleteI thought this video was very inspiring and definitely made me think twice about my own views on aging and getting older. I thought Alice gave a great perspective on body image and I love how she used art to explore and confront her own negative self-view and was instead able to find beauty. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder and I think if we look close enough, we can start to see that people truly are beautiful during every phase of life.
This is a beautiful video! It's not often that we hear about people embracing getting older. Most people are doing everything within their power to stay looking young. I absolutely loved the paintings!! One most definitely has to be comfortable with oneself to pose for a nude portrait. Awesome!
ReplyDelete~ YoLanda Scott
Aging is so feared by everyone! It does seem like our society is so focused on youth, that our older adults are really being made to feel unvalued.
ReplyDeleteThis was an inspiring video. I like how the husband said that it is important to look at a face without judgment. This is an important way to approach the world (gender, race, etc.) as a whole, and not just with elderly people. I really liked the painting and sculptures in the video, as they are not common pieces that a person would see in galleries.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this video. Aging can certainly be fearful, but empowering ourselves by considering the positives can help to overcome the fear. This couple has embraced aging successfully and I love their outreach to others by using art. We tend to look at youthfulness as being fabulous and we tend to forget that aging is a beautiful process. I would love to use their art to reach the aging population.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely video. How wonderful that this couple was able to use their talents to cope with the aging process! I'm actually quite in awe of their ability to come to this conclusion on their own, the idea that they needed to see a different side of the aging process to make themselves more comfortable with it, and I loved the man's statement that he needed to look his fear in the face. I think that part of the reason that aging can be difficult is that most people age without actually feeling older. We age physically but our spirit doesn't age at all, or at least ages very little after we reach maturity, and that can be confusing. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am not 22 anymore, and then I have a momentary panic when I realize my time will eventually run out. I can only hope that one day I will be able to approach my aging in as graceful a manner as this couple.
ReplyDeleteKristin, I very much agree with your statement regarding that while aging physically can be difficult, it doesn't mean our spirit and love of life must diminish. Take a look at this TED Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/laura_carstensen_older_people_are_happier
DeleteThis provides a lot of hope for us as we age, and can change the way we interact with the aging population as helping professionals.
This is such a wonderful video, and for a moment I felt ok about the inevitability of aging. Admittedly, I am fearful of the aging process and how it will change my body. I am surrounded by aging women who complain about the effects of gravity, wrinkles and sagging skin. It was refreshing to see this couple's perspective on the aging body. It is so true that our society's idea of beauty is based on youthful beauty yet we are only youthful for a short time in our life. Their positive perspective on aging is truly inspiring.
ReplyDelete