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Our Perception of Age: A Cross-Culturally Examination For some Canadians, old age can be a sad time. Feelings of infirmity combined with oppressive boredom are common. This research paper will attempt to tackle the difficult task of analyzing our culturally bound notion of old age and its consequences for older people as well as the meaning of age cross-culturally. By approaching this subject with a cross-cultural perspective, western people may realize there are alternative ways to regard the elderly as well as alternative ways the elderly can regard themselves. Different countries and their ideologies will be explored in comparison to cultural construction of old age in American and Canadian society. The first section of this paper will address certain positive and negative aspects of current Canadian thought patterns. The second section of this paper will address, discuss, and analyse how countries such as France (positive image of the elderly), Britain (negative image of the elderly), and Japan (positive image of the elderly), how their culturally constructed notions of old age has effected the elderly in their societies. Finally, the conclusion will suggest different or more positive ways to view ourselves, and people that happen to be our elders. In terms of appearance and sexuality, there exists a double standard of aging. address certain positive and negative aspects of current Canadian thought patterns 1 The image of the older woman as an inactive, unhealthy, asexual, and ineffective person has been perpetuated over the years through the transmission of inaccurate information, the media and oppresive attitudes of men and society alike. Regardless of what profession or status a woman holds, she still sees aging as a negative aspect of her life. This stems in large part from the negative reception she receives from the outside world. (Block 1981:12) It is also becoming evident that these negative perceptions of older women are held not only by society but also by older women themselves. If people would quit accenting my age-I’d probably never realize I’m 51, but when I’m turned away from the YWCA because I’m too old¼ I’d forgotten what the “Y” stood for in YWCA (Brown, 1973). Think what it is¼to be told every day that you are not a woman but a tired object that should disappear¼.I am bitter and frustrated and wasted¼.(Moss, 1970). (Block 1981: 18). Americans share the attitude that aging is a disease rather than a normal process. The ridiculous amount of cosmedic surgery such as liposuction, face lifts, chin tucks, eye lifts, silicone injections, face peels, hair implants, silicone breast implants, and botox injections are on the rise.
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