Negative Perceptions of Aging

The youth driven society has completely changed the population not only in the United States but all over the world. That fact doesn't mean that everyone has to subscribe to the "new improved only" fads; but no matter where you are you will see its influence. From schools to farms and everywhere in between you will be judged by your appearance. One of the humorous aspects of the negative perception of aging trend is watching people try desperately to fight any and all signs of aging. We have all watched the "Frankenstein" look on women and men who are trying desperately to hang on to something that has already past; youth. When in essence they were perfect the way they were, they just could not see it in the mirror.

For people who are under the age of 30 right now in 2010 the visions of what people look like when they age is much different from what anyone older has grown up with. It is a good and bad kind of different; in the previous generation age was not hidden as much; there weren't as many surgical, cosmetic, dental, artificial means to go around as there are now. But it was also more of an accepted fact that people will age; it was just a fact of life. Most people agreed that to age was better than "the alternative" of not making it in this life long enough to show any age. And so people did the best they could with what they had to work with; most of the attractive people were that way because of natural reasons and genetics, etc. so there were fewer of the "over the top beautiful people" types and more average looking people. At one time it was actually considered a detriment if you dyed your hair or had any fake means to beauty; you would be looked down upon if you got caught. It is very difficult to get a true feeling of a generation of people just by watching documentaries, movies, TV shows, home films, etc. You really had to be there.

There was also a time in our society when aging was considered regal and noble. The people or family members who told us stories from before there were cars and TV's, etc. were considered pioneers, hard workers, wisdom bearing, and there was a lot of time spent really listening to their stories. It all seemed so mysterious and like a whole different world. Because there were not all of the miraculous physical technologies that we have today some people did die quite young and there wasn't anything that could be done. Respect was given more freely to elderly people because they made it through many of life's hard circumstances.

There is both positive and negative aspects of youth and of old age; neither one gives you a perfect slate to deal with. Depending on each generation the shift may turn again, who knows until it actually happens.