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1. Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society Essay
Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayAging is the normal process of time-
related change which begins with birth and continues until death. These changes include
how a person feels and functions with respect to physical or mental competences. It is
important for individuals to increase their knowledge and understanding of aging so as to
prevent ageist behaviours, discrimination and maltreatment of the elders in our societies
today. The public’s perception of older adults is very unpleasant and can implant fear into
individuals who are approaching the retirement age. This pessimistic view of being old not
only makes younger people's evolution into older age one of misery, but this despondency is
mentally projected out towards the elders of our society (HubPages, 2012). This essay
therefore, examines the factors that may perhaps be accountable for the perception of the
elderly in societies today, theoretical perspective, effects of ageism on the elderly and
suggestions that can change society’s negative perspective toward aging and to promote
positive images.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayConstantly babies are
being born around the world, as well as persons moving into retirement. According to
Michelle Barnhart, Researcher, Oregon State University, on a day to day basis approximately
10,000 individuals in the United States turns 65 years old and this is an indication that it is
time for them to retire. Most developed countries have generally accepted the chronological
age of 65 years as the definition of an ‘older person’ (WHO, 2009). Apart from chronological
age, an individual’s age can be determined by examining biological, psychological and socio-
cultural processes (Cohen, 2002). The elderly population seems to be increasing
significantly, due to the fact that more and more people are attaining the retirement age (65
years) and are living longer.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayIn societies
today the elderly is seen as less valuable since their individualism, self-reliance, and
independence would have been altered. This is due to the fact that with the aging process
there is a possibility that one may experience some form of health complications or chronic
disease, as a result of the physical changes taking place in the body. Elders are frequently
faced with stereotyping where individuals repeatedly perpetuate bogus information and
negative images and characteristics concerning them. Some elderly are perceived in a
positive light from time to time because they are actively involved in the community, loyal,
sociable, and warm. Nonetheless the negative perceptions are more dominant, for instance;
older people are often stereotyped as being unhealthy or always sick, decreased
psychological functioning, unappealing, sexless, negative personality traits, miserable,
lonesome and excluded from society. Stereotypes may be as a result of an individual’s

2. negative personal experience, myths shared throughout the ages, and a general lack of
current information. Older adults are labeled with negative statements such as; wrinkled,
cranky, crotchety, inattentive, forgetful, fragile, feeble, stuck in the past, past their prime, or
a burden on society.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayThere are a lot of
factors that may be responsible for the modern day perception of the elderly. An
individual’s age, gender, level of knowledge, interaction with old adults and how frequent,
cultural influences, modernization and the media are all factors that may influence how the
elderly is perceived by members of society. Additionally, there are a lot of misconceptions
about older adults since most people are not knowledgeable about aging. These
misconceptions include: most older adults cannot live independently, chronologic age
determines oldness, most elderly persons have diminished intellectual capacity or are
senile, all older people are content and serene, all older persons are resistant to change and
older adults cannot be productive or active.The functionalist theory looked at how the
different parts of society work together in order for it to function smoothly. With respect to
the elderly, functionalists believe that the elders are one of society’s fundamental groups.
However, the disengagement theory states that withdrawal from society is a normal
behaviour portrayed by the aging individual. This is so because the elderly experiences a
reduction in both their physical and mental level of functioning, hence they expects at some
point in time they will die, resulting in withdrawal from individuals and society (Cummings
and Henry 1961). Additionally, theactivity theory seeks to explain that activity levels and
social involvement are key aspects in replacing what was lost and went on further to say it
is the key to happiness (Havinghurst 1961; Neugarten 1964; Havinghurst, Neugarten, and
Tobin 1968). To expound, it is said that the happiness of an elderly depends on how active
and involved he or she is, the more active, the happier they will be. Lastly, thecontinuity
theory explains that the elderly who remain active and involved during their elder years do
so by making particular choices in order to preserve stability internally and externally. This
is an attempt to maintain social equilibrium and stability by making future decisions on the
basis of already developed social roles (Atchley 1971; Atchley 1989).Perception of the
Elderly in Modern Society EssayConflict theorists’ stated that society is essentially unstable
in view of the fact that it shows favour to the more powerful and wealthy individuals while
marginalizing everyone else. There is always a competition for power and limited resources
among social groups; hence the elderly population struggles with other groups resulting in
conflicts. Conflicts are evident in Trinidad and Tobago with respect to the senior citizens
pension; at age 65 all individuals qualify for the $3,000.00 pension, while on the other hand
those who are entitled to a National Insurance Pensions qualifies for a smaller percentage of
the senior citizens pension.The Modernization theorydeveloped by Sociologists Donald
Cowgill and Lowell Holmes proposes that industrialization and modernization are the main
reason why the elderly looses power and influence in society (Cowgill and Holmes 1972).
Sociologist Donald Cowgill’s states in his theory that there is a relationship between ageing
and modernization; older men and women in less technologically advanced societies tend to
yield more economic and social power than those in more industrialized countries (Cowgill
1986). Prior to industrialization, it was seen where the younger generation cared for the
elderly in their society due to the strong social bound they had. Nowadays, it is evident that

3. in various households the number of family members is under five (5); extended families
are replaced by nuclear families. Individualism have become a characteristic of our
civilization despite the traditionally collectivist nature of some cultures because of changes
associated with all modern societies. In an individualistic industrial society, caring for an
elderly relative is seen as a voluntary obligation that may be ignored without fear of social
censure (Openstax College, 2012). However, research shows that even though
modernization and industrialization lead to socio-cultural changes, the importance of family
and respecting and valuing the elderly in certain cultures may be limited but still remains a
priority.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayDavid Hackett Fischer (1977), an
American historian, like modernization theorists he also believes that the status of older
people has declined over time. However, he further stated that, before modernization and
industrialization could take place in the United States the decline in the elderly being
powerful had already began. According to the Encyclopedia of Aging (2002), Fischer further
argued that between 1800’s and 1900’s the cultural transformation took place when
citizens became interested in the principles of independence and egalitarianism. These
behaviours were influenced mainly by the standards of the French Revolution. These new
cultural values are accountable for the lower statuses of elders in the US and by extension
Western societies today. For this reason, our elderly are no longer treated with the respect
compared to log ago and this is where ageism is seen and ageist behaviours being
demonstrated towards the older individuals in society.Ageism generates unnecessary fear,
waste, illness, and misery (Palmore, 2004); hence it has an impact on both society and
culture, even though most individuals are not aware of it. Ageism and ageist attitudes is one
of the factors that can contribute to elder abuse by creating a fertile environment in which
the abuse can develop, leading to age discrimination, and devaluing and disempowering
older people. The elderly themselves feels less valuable to society because of society’s
perception of them. The youth centric culture in which we live describes us as lacking
compassion for the elderly, the affinity to “shoot” our weak and wounded, us versus them
mentally and the impression that one's value is based on what one can add to society
(Holman, 2010). In Western culture, more so the United States, they are obsessed with the
youths of their country. On the other hand, other cultures will respect and even worship
older individuals for their wisdom. Tan et al. (2004) argued that a sample of younger people
in China held more positive attitudes towards all categories of older people when compared
with findings from studies in the US, Singapore and Trinidad. In general, society considers
the children to be the future generation and they are worth fighting for. However, they will
think twice when it comes to fighting for the elderly because in their view they have already
lived their lives and are no longer as valuable to society.Perception of the Elderly in Modern
Society EssayThe role of the media in supporting ageism is that it mostly celebrates and
encourages the younger individuals, which perpetuates ageist images and stereotypes.
Children are more susceptible to the penalty of negative media images and introduction to
stereotypical portrayals of the elderly can alter their views of the actuality of aging and the
elders in our society. This would definitely affect the way the youth intermingle with the
elders. Television, print media (books, newspapers, magazines, and advertisements) are all
considered a major and insidious cause of influence on the public’s perceptions of older

4. people and ageing. In the media the elderly often represents and portray the roles of older
characters, which reflect ageing stereotypes. Television especially, plays a momentous role
in influential public outlook on the elderly, and it is often held responsible for bringing
about negative stereotypes of ageing.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society
EssayTelevision characters can both deliberately and automatically create standards of
social comparison and role models for viewers (Kessler et al. 2004). Aging is often
associated with balding, graying or thinning hair, and wrinkling of the skin. The media in
trying to sell their product or service often reflect ageism by depicting the physical changes
and unattractiveness of the elderly resulting in older people being stereotyped as ugly.
Physical appearance, mainly facial features do play an important role when it comes to
defining a person as old. However, the youths tend to find it hard in accepting that these
changes must take place with the aging process. The television is viewed by almost
everyone in society and it is a fact that older people are often underrepresented. It is
concluded that the media is a relevant approach for showcasing stereotypes of how older
people and how ageing is portrayed.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society
EssayORDER A PLAGIARISM- FREE PAPER NOWIn Trinidad and Tobago the Government
have tried implementing support systems for its elderly population such as senior citizens
pension ($3,000.00 monthly), which increases with the change in Government. Additionally,
public assistance and disability grants are available to not only the elderly but all those in
need. The elderly who have not yet reached the age of 65 to qualify for the pension and is at
a disadvantage due to illness or complications caused by the aging process can benefit from
these grants. Also, bus passes are available to all senior citizens (age 65 and above) where
the elderly can travel for free on board any Public Transportation Service Corporation
(PTSC) Buses throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Added to this, they are entitled to travel for
free on the Port Authority Inter Island Ferry Service. From my observation, most of the
elderly population do welcome the initiative and take advantage of these services offered to
them. However, a few of them refuse to accept the bus pass and free boat ride as they see it
as a form stereotyping. I do understand their point of view as to why they prefer to have
their age kept a secret; this is due to the society in which we live where the elderly often
faces ageism and ageist behaviours from the younger citizens. In light this; it is my opinion
that not enough is being done to ensure that the senior citizen population has a bright and
enjoyable future.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayThe perceptions the
public hold of older people can impact on the elderly in employment, education, health
services, and the overall treatment of older adults. These perceptions are determined and
influenced by many different factors such as: modernization and industrialization of society;
age; gender; lack of knowledge and misconceptions, as well as the media. It is seen that
perceptions of the elderly can impact their lives positively but mostly negatively. On the
positive side, the access to social and employment opportunities, as well as access to health
services is evident. On the other hand, negatively it resulted in stereotypical behaviours and
ageism, which further lead to social exclusion and isolation of the elderly, as well as elder
abuse. It is also evident that ageism can definitely lead to marginalization and degradation
of the elderly in our societies today.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayThe
World Health Organization states that with the growth of the elderly population there is an

5. increase in many new social, political, and economic challenges (WHO 2002). I believe that
the government must intervene and develop strategies and implement policies or laws to
ensure that older people are treated fairly and with respect. For example, there is a family
obligation towards the care of older people enshrined in law in China with punishments for
adult children who fail to support a dependent parent, Tan et al. (2004). This will guarantee
that the elders can and do live a better quality of life because at the end of the day they
would have contributed to the society in which we now live.I recommend that groups or
campaigns be set up so as to ensure the elders in our societies are valued and respected by
providing, caring and protecting them from ageism and elder abuse. This will further
promote how the elderly have contributed to society and developed new initiatives in
which they can add more valuable contributions to society. In these groups ageing
educational programmes should be implemented and geared towards all age groups of
society, more so to those groups that portray negative attitudes towards older people, for
example; the youths and men. These programmes should also branch over to schools in our
society, both primary and secondary so as to target children and adolescents with respect to
ageism seeing that it is not innate but is developed over time.Perception of the Elderly in
Modern Society EssayAdditionally, education programmes could also be implemented in the
community; for example health centers, community centers, and youth groups to
specifically target those areas where the general public’s attitudes towards ageing and older
people are most negative including attitudes towards older people’s health, body image,
sexuality, mental ability, personality and social involvement. The first step is education to
address their lack of knowledge and then to bring about awareness of the elders
contribution to society so as to ensure they are well respected and accepted by members of
society. These community educational programmes should consist of some older people so
as to ensure elders feels valued and acknowledged rather than isolated or socially excluded.
Involvement in these community activities will also allow for enhancement of their quality
of life. Contact with these elderly people would definitely address all the misconceptions
and stereotypes and establish successful to improve the perceptions of older people and
ageing.Perception of the Elderly in Modern Society EssayREFERENCESAtchley, R.C. (1971).
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why-people-devalue-elderly.htmlHubPages. (2012). We are the elderly of the future.
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Modern Society Essay