Is "elderly" politically correct?
I found this really interesting. A recent piece by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution talks about how 60 is the new 40; in other words, a cultural shift has occurred in the way society views older Americans. The stereotypical image of grandmas in wheelchairs and with canes is being replaced with active and healthy older adults. In other words, people are living longer, and living healthier lives.
I particularly found the thoughts of Pat McVicar, assistant director with the local Area Agency on Aging in California, interesting. She said that the term "elderly" should be thrown out altogether - the preferred terminology is "seniors" or "older adults." Even many active older Americans don't consider themselves "seniors" at all.
This makes total sense considering the stigmas attached to the word "elderly"; folks don't want to be associated with negative stereotypes. But is this rejecting the fact that aging is a reality and not necessarily a bad thing? What are you thoughts? Do you think "elderly" is politically incorrect?
Tags: aging, elderly, politically correct
Comments
Terrance Williams says:
I get a kick out of people manipulating terms like this. It does sound a little like "1984" or a political correctness thing to me.
Stereotype me any way you want but I still have managed to survive 67 years in a lot better shape than some 40s and 50s types. I don't feel stigmatized in the least being called elderly or even the old guy - Gee, I'm pretty tough.
I also know 90 year olds who are doing pretty good and serve as models of what I want to be when I grow up.
Just like beauty can be in the eye of the beholder, so too can being "elderly" be a state of mind.
10/21/08 3:59 PM
D. Z. Rivers says:
For those "politically correct elderly" out there, consider another topic regarding the 2008 Presidential election: euthanasia. Review the position of the candidates regarding that topic.
It will become very important to anyone over 50 as this group of individuals grows, lives longer, and becomes possibly in need of medical assistance. The over 50 group will significantly impinge on governmental resources for assistance, so how will each candidate handle this situation?? Thinks it over and then vote. In the near future, it could mean your life.
10/25/08 2:58 PM
lisa says:
Listen, all I can say is throwing away the word elderly and anything else that sounds like you are used up or too worn out to live is more of a benefit for me and I would dare say more for the young who really need to look forward to putting on the years. I don't think of it as politically correct as much as choosing semantics that are what we really want to think and hear, it's all expression anyway. I do not know what I would do without the older people in my world, I like the mix, plus there are plenty of young people with tired, old, elderly perspectives. I wish bad perspectives were as easy replace as words!
11/18/08 6:45 PM
Anonymous says:
I am faced with working in a location and a field normally staffed by the 20-30 somethings. So far I've been able to hold on to my job, thankfuly, as I seem to be unable to get another that pays as well.
I am degreed and experienced, but for the past 15 years all of my searches have met with strong age discrimination, which as we all know, is blatant though legally unprovable. And although most of my peers think I'm decades younger than they, it's the "Year You Graduated" part of the resume/interview that beats me every time.
If I cannot work into my 70's, I will be living in abject poverty. Why do I need the term "elderly" slammed in the face of my employer, psychologically reinforcing his desire to have a more fresh faced female on board. I'm smart, attractive, fit, and engaged. I do not need to be trivialized as used up and discardable!
Go GREY PANTHERS!!!
04/19/09 2:58 PM