An Americans 40th Birthday is plagued with comments and negative statements of ones biological inferiority. Although meant in good fun, why is 40 such a big deal? Many are un-wavered by aging and others are frightened of the thought, however; we will all degenerate, grow old, regress, or any other word one would care to use.

You are growing old right now! Growing older is obviously a natural, biological fact, but is it more? Is growing older a social and cultural perception? One which affects those who grow old to a negative or positive degree, depending upon what culture they are naturally acculturated? I believe growing old is in fact largely social and cultural, not just biological; it is a matter of perception, and in America a negative one.

If one was to go shopping at a local card store, there is an array of products that support ageism or the disvaluing of those who are considered biologically and culturally old. Forty is usually the designated number in the United States as getting old; however, this is not always the case; it really depends upon physical characteristics and formalized numeral age upon ones social record. From birthday cards of elderly people displayed in derogatory ways to devices that insinuate being older, the negative messages are endless. Unfortunately, these statements to all who visualize or comprehend these messages are that growing older is something that one should avoid as long as possible; it's just not good. Plastic surgery, weight loss clinics, nutritional supplements, anti-ageing products, and other products produce billions; expressing that the negative perception of getting older is alive and well. One may be surprised however that this is not the case in countries such as Japan. Old age and gray hair is valued, respected and looked up to, due to a collectivistic perception.

There are three phases I feel should be represented in the process of disvaluing the aged within our culture. Keep in mind that my representation of age value perception of individuals expresses their entrance of these life long phases beginning with A and ending with C; however, the age in which citizens enter the phases may vary according to group association, race, gender, ability, physical genetic characteristics, and many other factors unmeasured at this present time.

The three phases are representations of our social and cultural expectations:

Phase A: Socialization & Motivation; (School Age - early 20's) a positively valued phase. We as citizens of our society and culture are expected to fulfill our obligations to the social contract (or to be a functioning citizen according to the values and expectations of our society). When we are born and take on a social security number and are declared U.S. Citizens we are expected and have unconsciously obligated ourselves to this social contract. With this obligation we are expected to be socialized, educated and motivated to pursue the American Dream. Instilled by our cultures values, norms and goals with capitalistic and individualistic expectations to achieve them we seek to succeed. This is our incline upon my Age Value Representational Scale moving further up in age and according to our culture further up in wealth and prosperity. Of course this scale is not a measurement of who will gain more success or less success, etc. A measurement would be difficult due to elements of discrimination, racism, classism and other factors that inhibit upward social mobility. For this purpose a representation of what our culture expects is my purpose.

Phase B: Productive, Attractive and Competitive; (25 to 37 yrs.) a positively valued phase. During this phase the representation of age value perception begins to level out and society hopes for us to be productive, attractive, and competitive. This supports the values and the expectations in which society supported years earlier and will continually reinforce to us through the medias messages as we compete and produce. Subjectively, hopefully we feel productive, attractive and competitive. If so, we can retain a healthy perception of ourselves as we are exposed to the numerous medias that emphasize success through production, attraction and competitiveness. If not, we may struggle with issues of self worth, anxiety, depression, (psycho-individualistic reactions) as with many who live in poverty - affecting satisfaction with life and abilities to meet our basic needs within our culture.

Phase C; The Contradiction and Perceptional Decline; (When physical characteristics (Gray hair, wrinkles, reduction in muscle size and tone begin to manifest) and numeral age (around 40yrs.); negative valued phase. The representation of age value perception begins to decline. Individuals begin to accept themselves in their later years as being older; as younger individuals are in what seems to be more valuable phases. The youth are in positions to make decisions of what is and what will be valued in society for decades; with control and position within the media and other processes to declare what is good and what is normal. These values are also expressed within micro interactions of stereotypical attitudes and macro institutional policies and laws which affect those of older generations. From hiring policies, entertainment, to retirement and healthcare issues, the stereotypes and negative attitudes of the aged are well presented through intentionally formalized and in formalized processes. Because the nature of ageism emphasizes physical characteristics and numerical age, as physical characteristics change, the perceptions of these individuals changes; (Symbolic Interaction Theory) the perception of who they are according to society and the perception they have of themselves. Individuals do the best they can to feel important, productive, attractive and competitive, however, as one grows older physically, and is notated as older on paper by numerical age certain opportunities in order to remain competitive and productive are no longer in existence; they are expected to disappear. While individuals struggle with the difference in expectations of themselves and by society due to their change in biological circumstance, society continues to reinforce their feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, disregard and disrespect through stereotypical media presentations and a discriminatory system. The sadness and damaging affects brought about by our culture is that those who were once young and gained valuable experience for future generations while complying to the social contract (upholding their end of the bargain) are now discredited due to an uncontrollable ageing process (uncontrollability creates greater anxiety and other psycho-individual reactions). This is a throwing away of Americas valuable human capital. Experience.

If we are to have efficient utilization of one of our Nations greatest resources we must be willing to shift perspectives of value within our culture. Valuing wisdom, experience and maturity must become an equally valued priority compared to abilities to produce, attract and compete. As globalization takes hold, the competitive global market will continue to shift cultural values of collectivism to more individualistic perceptions within ones culture in order to globally compete within the globalized market place. This will continue to be troublesome for many within our culture regarding the expectations one can expect as they age. There must be a motivation on the part of many writers and producers in the entertainment industry and the media to begin constructing stories, movies and entertainment that support positive values of the aged, with a more collectivistic approach. I believe that we as a society can continue to compete and retain a capitalistic economic system without sacrificing needed compassion and collectivistic ideals if many will become motivated to educate and advocate for the aged in America. Will you?

Copyright2005 Compassionpwr@juno.com