Some young people don’t seem
to have a clue that older adults are the major reasons they enjoy many of life's pleasures. If they really
appreciated the sacrifices that were made for them by previous generations, not just in
their families, but society in general, perhaps they would understand that many
of these older adults are entitled to far
more respect than they are receiving from them.
I have witnessed outstanding young students displaying great kindness toward older people on many occasions. But I have also viewed lots of young
people on the Internet in so-called funny videos mimicking older people in the most
insensitive ways. Stereotypes were used in the extreme with language and graphics defying
human decency. In addition, some young adults are guilty of mistreating older adults in terms of crime, service, and general courtesy. In a
study published in Research on Aging
where older adults were asked if they received worse service and if
people treated them with less respect and courtesy because they were older, one
in three said they felt they were treated worse because of their age.
Recently, I discovered this amazing video with young dancers celebrating the love and vibrancy of older aging. Keone and Mariel Madrid, dance choreographers who are
a young married couple, perform a routine as an older couple to Bob Marley's "Is This Love?” Like the song says, older
adults just want to be loved and treated right.
Who doesn’t?
Frances Shani Parker,
Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions
in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
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