Coming of Age

There has been a growing concern on the influx in numbers of the aging people within our societies. It is however difficult to establish the meaning of old age since its definition is blurred. Nevertheless, using the biological knowledge, old age can be defined as the phenomenon where the old person starts to present certain characteristics.  Psychological condition is one of the major characteristic that is attributed to old age and helps in shaping the behaviors of the aged. By nature, human’s relationship is often affected by situations. In this case, aging changes the way old people relate with themselves, with each other, with the world around them and with their own history. Evidently, the aging process is one that is faced with numerous problems. As a result, numerous programs and policies have been put in place to ensure that the well being of these old people is enhanced. However, it is so unfortunate that the old people are still at risk of facing some problems of income insecurity, social isolation and unmet health needs. Social isolation among the aged is an issue of concern and it will continue to increase in dominance as the population of the aged grows. The menace is not only experienced in the United States but the same situation is being experienced across the American border where old people are subjected to loneliness and social isolation. The fear of isolation reflects the prejudices and discrimination of the aged population within the capitalist society. This essay will therefore seek to present factors resulting to social isolation and how this affects the lives of the aged.

Old people are often looked upon as outcasts. The most common public perception is that old person is a burden to the society most especially if he cannot provide for himself. These myths of expansion and wealth have played a larger part in alienating the aged from the society. The fate of the aged questions the humanitarian moral values. The concept of isolation of the aged from their families and jobs comes into play as to whether it is morally acceptable to alienate these old people from their day to day activities. Simone de Beauvoir argues that this is one of the barbarous treatments that are against human morality that many people often pretend to follow. The reality is that the ruling class has adopted convenient strategies of refusing to accept the old people as real people. They thus choose to ignore the voices of the aged as integrating them would only mean that they are acknowledging that these are human voices. Prejudice is the order of the day for the aged. At every stage of their lives, their status is imposed on them by the society to which they belong.  Therefore, the society while making the economic status decision, the society tends to think that the old people are of another different species and thus have no right whatsoever to attain economic status as those of the young and middle-aged adults. Conversely, the society highly believes that their duty is to offer grant a wretched pittance as the aged has no similar needs or feelings just like the other men (Beauvoir, 3). Similarly, the article, “national health line”, argues that economic disparities among the old people still dominate even after the efforts to come up with policies and programs designed to benefit the old people. Old people have thus been forced to retire even when they feel that they cannot afford to stay unemployed.  Their opportunities to be involved in the workforce have thus reduced and this poses them to an economic risk.

The economy is based upon profit. Actually, the entire civilization is governed by profit. The human working accumulation is of interest only if it's profitable. When it no longer gives the profit that it should, then it is scrapped off. With the changing world and the increased globalization level, employers think that men must not be accumulated in their workplace for too long. As a result, after the age of fifty, men are often scrapped. Beauvoir opposes the meaning that capitalists use in defining retirement as the period of liberty and leisure. He asserts that these are just lies that the society creates in dealing with their guilt. It is a wretched standard that the society inflicts upon the old. He therefore claims that leisure does not open doors for new possibilities for the retired people. At the time when he is set free from pressure and command, his means of using this freedom are snatched away from him. The aged is subjected to stagnation of world-weariness and loneliness. Beauvoir therefore condemns these acts as he argues that they are a clear revelation of the failure of our civilization (Beauvoir, 6). In contrast, the views expressed in the article, “national health line”, clearly indicates that there have been changes in the aging approach. The reasons for remaining in the labor pool amongst the aged vary basing on the individual’s wants. Those who are faced with situations that make them economically vulnerable often remain in labor force so as to gain economic security while there are others who fail to retire as they look forward into satisfying their emotional needs. However, as the baby boomer generation is nearing retirement, volunteering and some other forms of civic commitment during retirement are being implemented. According to the wide findings from research it is quite evident that volunteering in late life helps in boosting the health of the old people. Correspondingly, Anderson draws a parallel between physical benefits and social integration. He asserts that healthy social life is the driving force towards physical benefits among the aged. Volunteering therefore is a social integration strategy advocated for by Anderson throughout his article. He asserts that volunteering amongst the aged encourages a sense of purpose. As old people volunteer they get opportunities to practice their hobbies that really interest them. Hobbies and interests are naturally social. Volunteering is therefore an immense way of maintaining and expressing purpose for the older people. With the numerous opportunities offered in the contemporary times for the aging, it is likely that there will be a reduction in the isolation problem.

The above analysis has given an in-depth insight into the isolation nightmare of the aging population. From this analysis, it is clear that all relevant stakeholders have a role to play in putting an end to this menace. A man who has worked for over fifteen years should not be subject to scrap and rejection. Men should, therefore, be highly regarded and incorporated in as men as this will simply bring order to our society.