|
We live in an age that is obsessed with youth culture, so the prospect of ageing fills us with fear. Should we worry about ageing?
Richard gets worried about ageing when he sees photos from his mother's 60th birthday party. He embarks on a journey to see if we should worry about getting older and to find out what provision we can make for our old age and why society tends to undervalue the over-60s.
Help the Aged, a charity that campaigns for older people, defines old as over 50, yet we don't draw our pensions until we are 60 and 65. Our nationwide survey showed that age is as much a state of mind as a number.
Ageism is the lastest "ism" to be tackled by government. By 2006 age discrimination in the workplace will be outlawed.
The over-50s are the fastest growing sector of the population. They control 80% of the country's wealth yet according to our research this age group are ignored or patronised by advertisers, employers and society in general.
Through various means Richard tries to gain some understanding of what it could be like to be old. In the process he discovers a new admiration and respect for the over-60s.
Things are looking up and improving for the over-60s and as each generation ages they force change in attitudes, behaviour and legislation – none more so than the baby boomer generation who changed society and shaped the modern word. So should we worry about ageing? No! We should celebrate and enjoy it. After all, it's better than the alternative!
The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Back to the Should I Worry About...? homepage
You might also like:
|
