| |
Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
 | |
|
Meldrew or Methuselah
— the mythology of old age | | Author(s) | Alison McInnes |
| Journal title | Generations Review, vol 14, no 4, October 2004 |
| Pages | pp 22-24 |
| Source | (Editorial e-mail address) gr@ageing.ox.ac.uk |
| Keywords | Attitudes to the old of general public ; Literature reviews. |
| Annotation | This paper explores seven cultural "myths" perpetuated in British society which may encourage ageism. The first six relate to personality and physical health factors, the first being the myth of chronology, that defines older people by virtue of their age. Second, the myth of inflexible personality suggests that older people become more intolerant and conservative as they age. Third, the myth of misery, that because they are older, they are unhappy. Fourth, the myth of rejection and isolation, which contends that British society is uncaring towards and rejects its older people. Fifth, the myth of dependence and unproductiveness, that because older people are not usually engaged in paid employment, they are not productive members of society. Sixth, the myth of physical ill health, that old age automatically involves deterioration and that illness is part of the ageing process. Lastly, mental health factors, specifically the myth of mental deterioration, which suggests that all older people suffer from mental health problems. The author advocates use of this list as a check against prejudice, negativity, discrimination, inequality, oppression and misunderstanding of older people's lives. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-050113212 A |
| Classmark | TOB: 64A |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
|
| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
| |
|