The Importance Of Aging In The Middle Age

Many teenage brains are not fully developed until the age of twenty five. In the article “Startling Finds on Teenage Brains”, the author Paul

Ageism is a form of discrimination and prejudice against an age group, and is actually felt by seniors (Ageism, 2009). Ageism includes false stereotypes which is applied to the seniors, also changes ones way of how they treat elders. As an individual society has taught us want to categorize people into groups, which often leads to use making incorrect and negative stereotypes on one another. A professor had asked her students if they were excited about getting older, and they all answered “no way!” Their explanation was a list of stereotypes such as, sick, unhappy, sexually inactive, as well as being alone. Ageism has been a huge issue for many decades now about the prejudice and discrimination towards seniors.

This article, “What is Successful Aging,” was an interesting read that focused mostly on what is viewed as successful aging, the variables that determine successful aging, and how we as a society are trying to enhance the process today.

With the undeniable truth, everyone must age and grow older. Although this is a natural process of life, not everyone is accepting of this. At this age, being an older adult you face difficulties such as aging, sexuality, relationship dynamics and having to face reality that you are not in your prime as you once were. Heart attacks, strokes, and other ailments are examples of this. However, just as there younger counterparts they still able to do somethings they were able to do in their earlier stages. They still have sex, relationships and the ability to love. In the movie, Something’s Gotta Give, although very comical, the concept is very present. It is a movie that depicts the struggles older adults face on a daily basis. Despite popular belief, older adults and their younger counterparts have more in common than one thinks.

In 1960, the first birth control pill was put on the market. This was the first time a woman’s reproductive health was in her own control. Ever since the 1900’s women have been fighting for the right to their own reproductive rights (“The Fight for Reproductive Rights”). With the upcoming presidential election the right to obtain birth control and other contraceptives for women could be jeopardized, and taken out of the control of the woman. Thus, the history of birth control, the statistics of how it affects today’s society, why women should have the ability to obtain it easily, and how if outlawed it would not only hurt women, but also the economy are all important topics in the women’s rights movement and very relevant in modern day society.

The process of aging in not an unfamiliar topic to society and is an inevitable phase of life. Since 2011, the number of older individuals are increasing annually particularly those from the baby boomer generation. The life expectancy has been increasing with people living longer thanks to modern medicine. These occurrences are proof that civilization is growing exponentially, however the process of aging also means that the older individuals are facing dilemmas such as decreased physical functions, financial instability from retirement, and abuse. Even older adults who are independent may face some limitations. To address these issues, Congress has passed several acts to decrease the number of elderly abuse and improve living conditions.

Ageing is something that can be split up into many groups like aa variety of things in society. Older people can be categorized into the young-old, the middle-old and, the old-old. That last one seems ridiculous to me. People in each of these groups are generally happier in this time period rather that the previous one because the United states has given the resources for us to be more prepared for aging. Also nowadays people can start planning for their retirements before they even think about getting old.

Annie Lee McKinney was born on June 23, 1944 in Savannah Georgia to Larcy and Sidney McKinney. Annie was the youngest of 12 children. Unfortunately, Annie’s mother died when she was a little girl. Being that Annie was the youngest of 2 girls and 9 she was raised by her maternal grandparents. Even though Annie was raised by her grandparents she remained close to her siblings because the lived across the street from each other. Annie attended Arthur E. Beach High School in Savannah, Georgia but she dropped out in the 9th grade to take care of her nieces and nephews while her older brothers and sister’s worked.

Late Adulthood is the stage of the human life cycle where an individual nears the end of their life. The life expectancy in the United States has slowly increased over the years therefore allowed many to further analyze the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development during late adulthood. The stage of late adulthood has been emphasized by ageism and the stereotypical "old" person but, will be further educated by the normative development of the life cycle of late adulthood. For the “old” experience dramatic changes in their development as they face loss, death, and illness.

Long life has always been considered a blessing. Today, the people of the United States are enjoying the benefit of living much longer than ever before in history. However, there is a flipside to this coin of longevity. The population of the United States is aging at an unprecedented rate. “In 2010, 40 million people age 65 and over accounted for 13 percent of the total population in the United States.” (An Aging Nation) These numbers are expected to double by 2050, with one in every five Americans older than 65. Experts agree that this “Graying of America” will have enormous effects on society. Consequently, society must find ways to adapt to its changes and challenges.

Elderspeak is like baby talk (the speech addressed by adults to young children) or the speech people use when they talk to their pets. It is grammatically simplified, repetitious, slowed down, and exaggerated in pitch. However, elderspeak is spoken to the elderly. Additionally, elderspeak can be patronizing and convey the expectation that the listener is not competent to understand normal speech.

Later adulthood can affect people differently. A person reaches later adulthood when he or she turns sixty-five. Factors that can lead to a longer life are eating habits, exercising, sleeping habits, and health factors. To live longer it is important to eat healthy, eat regular meals including breakfast, and try to avoid over snacking. Exercising usually twice a week and trying to walk around daily can help people live longer. Sleeping regularly usually eight hours is better for health than multiple cat naps. To avoid health problems in later years, avoid drugs and alcohol use. Also, reducing stress can lead to a longer life. One of the last ways to help people have longer healthier lives is mental activities. Keeping your mind active

Everyone is entitled to choose their own lifestyle, whether they want to have a child or not. Some females who seek to have children find it easy, although some are unfortunate. There are numerous of reasonings, such as being too old to be pregnant, damage to the Fallopian tube or uterus and cancer radiation or chemotherapy. As our generation goes on, many discoveries revolving biology is produced and one of it is the In Vitro Fertilization or “IVF”. It is the procedure of fertilization where they save sperm sample, take an egg from the women and physically combining it in a laboratory dish where the egg and the sperm is now called an embryo. It will be examined, and later on transported to a substitute uterus of qualified women who are suitable

In this paper I have inferred what is happening to my subject from a developmental perspective based on my three observations. My subject

“The longer you wait for something, the more you’ll appreciate it when you get it. Because anything worth having is definitely worth waiting for” (Unknown). What is worth waiting for? A family? Children? How far are you willing to go? How much are you willing to spend? What are you willing to go through? These are questions that couples ask themselves everyday. How far should you go to bring a baby into this world?