In the United States, some sections of the society believe that they
live in a death-avoiding society. The high reliance and blind trust on
the health system plays a cardinal role to shape their views and
perceptions about old age. For instance, they believe that innovation
and technological advancement in the health setting can increase
their longevity. Instead of considering aging to be a natural and
normal process, some individuals refuse to accept it or talk about it.
Instead, they lay emphasis on superficial elements such as beauty and
youth. Berger has argued that in the current American society, youth
is valued over old age even though a considerable number of people
in the nation are growing old with each passing day (Berger, 2017). a
In the 21st century, ageism can be considered to be a form of
prejudice that exists in the society which people are not comfortable
to acknowledge or even think about. The rapid evolution of
technology has played a cardinal role to give rise to a youth-obsessed
culture in America where people lay emphasis on young age and
beauty. For instance, the rise in the number of cosmetic surgeries that
take place on a yearly basis in the nation gives a glimpse into the
obsession of some people with youth and beauty. The current
attitude towards old age gives a glimpse into the superficial culture
(Forever young: America's obsession with never growing old.
CommonLit, 2021). In the technology-driven era, people have been
using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
to showcase the glamorous and positive side of life instead of
revealing the monotonous elements of their life. It has shaped how
they approach beauty and youth which gives them an opportunity to
display a bright and lively side instead of focusing on old age which is
going to be a harsh reality for them some day or the other (Forever
young: America's obsession with never growing old. CommonLit,
2021).
References
Berger, R. (2017). Aging in America: Ageism and general attitudes
toward growing old and the elderly. Open Journal of Social Sciences,
5(08), 183.
Forever young: America's obsession with never growing old. CommonLit.
(2021). Retrieved January 25, 2022, from
https://www.commonlit.org/en/texts/forever-young-america-s-
obsession-with-never-growing-old
