Have you ever thought about how Western culture views the elderly?  In Western culture being an elderly person means that you are invisible. One never sees the elderly on the television, much less as the personality of the show or the main person. Our culture that thrives on what is the next big thing, beauty, and youth; we are a society that is always on the go. Being Hispanic my view on aging has been different. I grew up viewing elders with respect and wisdom, “Do as I say since I know better” type of deal. I have come to realize that this not a Hispanic concept; many Asian cultures, as well as many others view elderly people differently and treat them with respect.  Western culture has to be one of the cultures with the most negative view on aging and this has to change, since our elderly are the fastest growing population in the United States.

            Every day we are told that “new” is better, faster, and stronger. By the image that are being engraved in our heads by the media and pretty much everywhere else. Americans view on aging is rather negative. According to a study done by Tamara Sims, a fifth year student at Stanford University, “European Americans want to fight old age, and view old age in a negative light”. And this is very true because many of the Americans try to fight old age like it is possible. One sees how people try to fight aging by getting Botox and plastic surgery to trying to look and feel younger. In America once you start to age it means that you are slower, no fun, cannot function properly.  In other words, you are viewed as useless. Ageism is a term that became popular in the 1800’s, that’s when the American view on the elderly started to become negative. The work became more physical and the elderly are not able to be as efficient as the younger men. Also during this time the doctors saw aging as an “incurable disease” (A Touch of Grey).  Ever since this image has been drilled into our heads, ageism is becoming very prevalent in our society.

            Like I mention before I come from a Hispanic background, my mother being from Honduras and my father Mexican. In my culture we always have seen the elderly with respect, status, and authority. Even the way we talk to the elderly is much different. In Hispanic culture we address them differently, with the up most respect. This little detail is something that Hispanics share with Korean culture as well. The other day professor Pak was telling us how when she was young she was always thought how there are two different ways to address people, one for older people and the one for friends.  Another aspect of the Hispanic culture that really values its elderly is the fact that they really care for them. According to MH&A, “when a parents’ condition severely deteriorates formal services may be used by the family. Institutionalization, however, is rare”. The concept of taking care of your elderly is something really big across the whole culture. I remember being younger and reading books about the Hispanic culture and in many cases the youngest girl in the family is not to be wed and stay behind to look after their elderly parents.  This goes to show that even after the parent can’t provide or look after the kids they keep continuing to be a central role within the family. (MH&A)

            The big difference in both of the cultures I belong too, is their view of individualistic. In America one is told to make it to the top, and most of the time it’s just you. Unlike in the Hispanic cultures and other Asian cultures where they have a bigger sense of community. They believe they will triumph together as a family or group. My parents are reaching that age where my brothers and I must start looking planning for their future. One thing for sure is that none of us want my parents to go to some type of facility. Now the problem is convincing my mother of this, since she is a very active person that always must be on the go. She would actually prefer to go to a senior community where she can be around other people like her. This is a cultural clash for us but I’m sure we will figure it out when the time comes.