Been MIA, but back!
I'm going to keep this blog as I've originally planned it to be; a place where I share the papers I've written for uni, and see the progression of improvements in my writing. Also, I've expressed so many thoughts and ideals, that I'd love to share with everyone else. So here goes!

Number Uno: For my Diversity Class, we had a discussion point where we had to discuss Ageism. Here is my response:

Reading through our assigned readings this week; I’m struck that Ageism is an actual stereotyping, just like racial and gender profiling. As we’re told, Ageism is, “a form of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against people, simply because they are old. (Adams et al. 2013 p. 559)

People refer to old people in this society with derogatory and patronizing names, and even treat them with disrespect and subpar manners. Unfortunately this ideal and concept has been promoted in our society through media, because decades back, adults and elders were considered, as they still are in many societies around the world, as respected leaders and wise people who are the reason we’re still doing the right thing. I think the fact that our society treats elders with so much disrespect, and actively promotes in media and through television, why statistics show evidence that, “approximately 70% of older men and more than 80% women seen on television are portrayed disrespectfully, treated with little, if any courtesy, and often looked as “bad.” (Adams et al. 2013 p. 561)

I’ve been one of the lucky ones, I’d like to say; we weren’t exposed to too much television because my mother did believe the cartoons children my age were watching promoted disrespect to parents, and even some books I wasn’t allowed to read because of the name-calling that was found in them. As I’m older and working in a school; I am very appreciative that my parents were aware of the long-term effects of such seemingly insignificant details in our upbringing. Now I can think clearly and logically, without my judgment being colored by any irrational or corrupting social influences.

Therefore, I’ve always considered an elder person, and having a relationship with them, as an opportunity. An opportunity to learn and to be a service to them, as they have served our community and society in their youth. Isn’t this the best ideal, where you work hard and be the best you can be, and when the day comes where you can’t perform to the best of your abilities due to age, that is the time you are appreciated and pampered for everything you’ve done? Or else, what’s the point of life?

In our society, according to our texts, that, “taking away validation of work or purposeful activities, and demeaning the capacity of love, are surely the most profound forms of age prejudice.” (Adams et al. 2013 p.561) We treat older adults as incapable of living life on the basis of how we expect a life to be lived. I think that’s absolutely erroneous and irrationally judgmental.

Youth, though, are also judged and discriminated against. I believe the ideal, “Children are seen as future, older people, the past,” (Adams et al. 2013 p. 562) causes people to do whatever they can to deny that reality. People are conditioned in this society to fear aging, to fear death, and to idolize the ideal of youth. Why? There are many reasons why, but again, according to the reading; it’s a way to discourage our youth to amount to anything and thus usurp the positions and status we hold now, today. Thus, to belittle their opinions, try their minor offences as major ones, treat them like nothing better than a burden, all of these attitudes displayed by an adult towards a youth are conditioned to “teach them their place.” I remember writing a speech on media and their portrayal of youth, and this topic brings up some of the points I’ve made. If I may, I’d like to share a paragraph. Please keep in mind I was only 17 when I wrote/spoke this, so hence the plaintive tone!

“We are perceived and stereotyped so strongly; you see a girl wearing black; and immediately our  high exposure to the media causes us to think, “ oh she’s a Goth” or if we pass by a guy with long hair, “Oh a skater dude.” It’s true that as humans we are judgmental; it’s in our nature, we judge others to know where we belong, yet I believe teens are judged too quickly and harshly. The truth is; we aren’t as strident and rigid in our beliefs and customs as people may perceive us to be. We tend to blend aspects of different things and ideals in an effort to make it uniquely ours. We’re still growing up; we have barely a score of a lifetime lived; how can you justifiably judge us if you judge us by media’s standard? Everyone knows you can’t trust the media; so why do you? What is wrong with reality? If adults do not want to come to terms with the fact that we are their replacements in the next fifty or so years; then so be it; just don’t make us deal with your insecurities. We have enough of our own.”

Which group do you think faces more discrimination?

I believe both groups receive about the same amount of discrimination, yet one of my classmates, Tina, brought up a very valid point, she says, “discrimination against youth is overcome by aging, where as there is no way to overcome senior discrimination.” (Christina, 2014 Topic Post)

I sincerely believe that in order to understand ourselves, we must come to terms with reality. Discriminating against any group, no matter it may be racial, gender, religion, or age; they are borne out of insecurities. The youth pick upon the old because they can see a constant living form of what they will eventually become, the elders, looking at the youth, bitterly reminisce about their own youth and lost vitality; it’s a vicious cycle, yet media has trained us to always be discontent with our lot in life, and thus what else state of affairs would you expect?

How could we eradicate ageism in our society?

By coming to terms with ourselves; and looking at serving an elder as an opportunity to better ourselves, not as a burden. We can live our life so much better if our community is happy, and caring for the elders in the community created harmony and a sense of security.

Resources:-

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Hackman, H., Peters, M., Zuniga, X., (2013).  Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. New York: Routledge.

Based upon the assigned readings, what insights have you gained regarding how young people and how older people are regarded/treated in our society?

                    

Reading through our assigned readings this week; I’m struck that Ageism is an actual stereotyping, just like racial and gender profiling. As we’re told, Ageism is, “a form of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against people, simply because they are old. (Adams et al. 2013 p. 559)

People refer to old people in this society with derogatory and patronizing names, and even treat them with disrespect and subpar manners. Unfortunately this ideal and concept has been promoted in our society through media, because decades back, adults and elders were considered, as they still are in many societies around the world, as respected leaders and wise people who are the reason we’re still doing the right thing. I think the fact that our society treats elders with so much disrespect, and actively promotes in media and through television, why statistics show evidence that, “approximately 70% of older men and more than 80% women seen on television are portrayed disrespectfully, treated with little, if any courtesy, and often looked as “bad.” (Adams et al. 2013 p. 561)

I’ve been one of the lucky ones, I’d like to say; we weren’t exposed to too much television because my mother did believe the cartoons children my age were watching promoted disrespect to parents, and even some books I wasn’t allowed to read because of the name-calling that was found in them. As I’m older and working in a school; I am very appreciative that my parents were aware of the long-term effects of such seemingly insignificant details in our upbringing. Now I can think clearly and logically, without my judgment being colored by any irrational or corrupting social influences.

Therefore, I’ve always considered an elder person, and having a relationship with them, as an opportunity. An opportunity to learn and to be a service to them, as they have served our community and society in their youth. Isn’t this the best ideal, where you work hard and be the best you can be, and when the day comes where you can’t perform to the best of your abilities due to age, that is the time you are appreciated and pampered for everything you’ve done? Or else, what’s the point of life?

In our society, according to our texts, that, “taking away validation of work or purposeful activities, and demeaning the capacity of love, are surely the most profound forms of age prejudice.” (Adams et al. 2013 p.561) We treat older adults as incapable of living life on the basis of how we expect a life to be lived. I think that’s absolutely erroneous and irrationally judgmental.

Youth, though, are also judged and discriminated against. I believe the ideal, “Children are seen as future, older people, the past,” (Adams et al. 2013 p. 562) causes people to do whatever they can to deny that reality. People are conditioned in this society to fear aging, to fear death, and to idolize the ideal of youth. Why? There are many reasons why, but again, according to the reading; it’s a way to discourage our youth to amount to anything and thus usurp the positions and status we hold now, today. Thus, to belittle their opinions, try their minor offences as major ones, treat them like nothing better than a burden, all of these attitudes displayed by an adult towards a youth are conditioned to “teach them their place.” I remember writing a speech on media and their portrayal of youth, and this topic brings up some of the points I’ve made. If I may, I’d like to share a paragraph. Please keep in mind I was only 17 when I wrote/spoke this, so hence the plaintive tone!

“We are perceived and stereotyped so strongly; you see a girl wearing black; and immediately our  high exposure to the media causes us to think, “ oh she’s a Goth” or if we pass by a guy with long hair, “Oh a skater dude.” It’s true that as humans we are judgmental; it’s in our nature, we judge others to know where we belong, yet I believe teens are judged too quickly and harshly. The truth is; we aren’t as strident and rigid in our beliefs and customs as people may perceive us to be. We tend to blend aspects of different things and ideals in an effort to make it uniquely ours. We’re still growing up; we have barely a score of a lifetime lived; how can you justifiably judge us if you judge us by media’s standard? Everyone knows you can’t trust the media; so why do you? What is wrong with reality? If adults do not want to come to terms with the fact that we are their replacements in the next fifty or so years; then so be it; just don’t make us deal with your insecurities. We have enough of our own.”

Which group do you think faces more discrimination?

I believe both groups receive about the same amount of discrimination, yet one of my classmates, Tina, brought up a very valid point, she says, “discrimination against youth is overcome by aging, where as there is no way to overcome senior discrimination.” (Christina, 2014 Topic Post)

I sincerely believe that in order to understand ourselves, we must come to terms with reality. Discriminating against any group, no matter it may be racial, gender, religion, or age; they are borne out of insecurities. The youth pick upon the old because they can see a constant living form of what they will eventually become, the elders, looking at the youth, bitterly reminisce about their own youth and lost vitality; it’s a vicious cycle, yet media has trained us to always be discontent with our lot in life, and thus what else state of affairs would you expect?

How could we eradicate ageism in our society?

By coming to terms with ourselves; and looking at serving an elder as an opportunity to better ourselves, not as a burden. We can live our life so much better if our community is happy, and caring for the elders in the community created harmony and a sense of security.

Resources:-

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Hackman, H., Peters, M., Zuniga, X., (2013).  Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. New York: Routledge.