October 15, 2019 —
By Frances Kolarek —
Some 25 years ago, when Betty Friedan at 72 felt she had done enough for the women’s movement, she transferred her attention to the aging. In a book she called The Fountain of Age, she deplored the invisibility of the aged and the rejection by the media of photographs of aging celebrities. Time magazine gave the book a four-page review.
In her plea for acceptance of her age group, Friedan cautioned that “Acceptance, however, must first come from ourselves.” (In other words, it’s up to us to destroy the stereotype.) “Through our own actions we will create a new image of age — free and joyous . . .”
Once in those benighted years, I offered to drive a friend named Marge to the DMV to get her driver’s license renewed. In her 80s and no longer driving, she simply wanted a handy ID.
“But first,” she explained, I have to get my hair done.”
“Why on earth?” I asked.
“I want to look nice on my driver’s license photo,” she said, matter-of- factly.
Neither of us realized it, but Marge was in the vanguard. Creating a new image of age.
Little by little we older people are winning the stereotype war. Perhaps the cosmetic and fashion industries have also abandoned the stereotype of The Old as being headed straight for the poor house. They are reaching for our dollars with clothing that is stylish and cut to fit our figures and offering cosmetics designed to keep us looking good — for men as well as for women. Gyms are welcoming more and more older men and women who want to keep their bodies in shape.
Yes, we are creating a new image of age. And we daren’t let up! The most recent life expectancy figures give a man who is 65-years-old 18 additional years and a woman, 20 additional years, putting both sexes in the mid-80s. Scanning obituaries for the past week or 10 days, I spot at least a dozen men dying in their 90s, including actor Abe Vigoda who died at 95. Pictures of the departed in advanced years accompanied a number of the obits.
While we can thank medical advances for adding years to our lives, we are also learning that positive states of mind can play a role in our health. That physical exercise can give us healthier hearts and that the loving companionship of a circle of friends and relatives can bring better all-around health.
________________
Let me know what you think. Drop me a line at CollBlog2@gmail.com.