Friends.

There are societies and, yes, there was a time in our society where the "aged" were respected and looked to as sources of wisdom.

What has happened!? Madison Avenue has convinced us that being immature is the ideal. Every child wants to be a teenager and every adult does too. What is wrong with this picture?

My suggestion, and the choice for my life, is to live as one who is proud to be older; happy that I no longer have the challenges that cling to youth.

You make your choice!

I agree ezmoney, But right now its so entrenched in society I don't think we do anything about it. Eventually it may go back to the way it used to be but we'll probally be dead and gone. Oh well! Just wanted you to know I'm on your side. see ya.
buck.

Thank you so much for your kind reply Buckman my friend. I am regretful that you are so quick to surrender to the immense flow regarding the disrespect for aging. Although I am quick to agree that the tide is mighty and the flow is strong, much has been accompished by the voice of one (or two?) who take a stand against the majority.

Perhaps we change only one person at a time. If so...that will be enough!

Hi....I think you will see this change much sooner than you think. If Majority has the say on "Madison Avenue". Because this nation already has its first "New" breed of older person and we will be the largest group of older folks ever to have lived, "The Baby Boomers". Never has there been or probably will be again, so many people alive that are within 20 years of age to one another. I can't believe with so many of us in this category we can't influence those that be to recognize this as a strength to be reckoned with. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

If there be others then I shall welcome them but until then, even if I am the only lone voice, I shall stand for the truth. With age comes responsibility to show those who follow the higher path to follow.

Sex sells. And when we age, we lose our sex appeal according to the numbers. And that's where the "majority" comes in, and where the numbers rule.

"They" target those who buy, and those who are most impressionable, and those who can influence the most. And what can arouse interest as quickly as youth? Especially sexy youth. And few people equate aging with sexy -- especially those who are in that targeted audience.

I agree, and it sucks. It's also quite sad that we will do anything to look younger, such as surgery, dye our hair, get implants and lipo, diet ourselves to death, spend a fortune on makeup and wigs and clothing,...and we'll do anything to feel younger, including changing how we dress, to changing our mates just because we've lost our identity and think a younger partner is just what we need,...or a sports car, or bigger boat,...

I sincerely doubt we will ever change the world, change their opinions, or change what is considered valuable. And in today's age, look on TV and what you see are children, including teens, dominating the market with their music and their movies, acquiring things which took the rest of us 20 or 30 or 40 years to get, if at all. Kids are champion athletes and millionaires while adults are discriminated against in the job market in favor of the young techie.

I can understand from a societal and evolutionary viewpoint why things are the way they are, but that doesn't make me like it or feel very good about it, especially the older I get. And we're inundated with it.

It may have less to do with our attitudes, as it does the reality of the market and today's society and what is considered cherished, important and desirable in the world now.

Sure sex sells. There is a reason why it is involved in the oldest profession. The saddest state is the one that leaves one's appetite leaning toward the surface appeal. There is far more to the sexual lure than simple youthful vigor. Unfortunately, boys who who can leave the pimply face behind are often locked in the testosterone nether world rufusing to grow up.

As a person ages it is best if he/she matures as well, don't you think? We have been designed to experience new depths in a cornocopia of opportunities as we leave the old behind. Sadly, few are able to let loose of the old ways.

Sexuality indeed sales; Madison Avenue may one day discover that sexuality has mulitple dimensions and be able to capitalize on those who truely know the beauty of sensual sexuality.

Until then, though I be the single crying voice, I shall remain resolute in my determination to proclaim that in the wisdom, grace, knowledge and honest love of those who accept age with relish, stand the secrets of life.

Hell yes, I'm not only getting older but I'm getting better as well!

don't buy into the advertisers 'ideal' of what looks good. if you pick up any fashion magazines you'll see they're geared to the x generation. Prada, Gucci, all the designers. Someone please tell me how some 19 yr. old can pay $800 for shoes, $5,000 for a jacket, etc. the merchandise is atrocious looking too. just because someone has some money i've seen plenty of ill fitting clothes, too tight, too short, please. none of these people look good and i live in los angeles where all the beautiful people are!

I fully agree, it's just that I don't think we're being realistic.

I'm turning 40 very shortly and am married to a younger man. If anyone can feel the pressures of youth, and sex sells, and growing older, and facing maturity,...blah blah blah,...believe me, I can.

But the reality of today's socioeconomic world is that the youth rule the world. This is not to deny beauty or appeal of anyone of any other age, of course beauty comes in all ages, sizes and shapes, but there will always be a predominate age/size/shape that is considered ideal and women, being more vulnerable to squeeze ourselves into this ideal, will continue to spend our money and our husband's money to lift, tuck, augment, peel, dye and suck,...to get us to defy age, gravity and death.

The struggle may cease only upon death.

Oh the other hand, fair maiden, the struggle will end when you end it!

PLEASE take note that it is ALWAYS the case that when the appeal to our baser course occurs using youth the image is prominent. There is no view of the intellect or humor or "presence". There is no depth! Shallow sexy works at all levels for 60 seconds but sensous depth is lasting and oh so memorable.

The adage is that "it take two to tango"; it also take two to struggle. When you determine in your own mind what is sexy you will project a depth of the lasting variety.

Show me a 40 or 50 year old attempting to look 20 and I will show you a 40 or 50 year old not only content with but relishing the advantages. You can guess which one we will find sexy.

I don't think anyone would intellectually debate this or wax philosophy with you. However, speaking from the reality of what perseveres in society, it is youth oriented, like it or not, shallow or not, deep or not, right or wrong, it just is.

And of course there are people who look further, expect something more than the youthful veneer which fades and changes,... and others do not, which is why we get traded in for younger models or younger versions of ourselves when rejuvination is felt lost or abandoned.

Some of us make it and exchange the youth with something of a more lasting value that is appreciated and respected, and yes, it endures in the big picture.

But regardless of how wonderful it would be for people to accept all of us for all of who we are as we grow older, is futile. We may choose to start one mind at a time, but the youth run the culture, they run the world. That is just the reality of it, and debating the validity of it or the justice of it is moot, -- it just is.

Such an intelligent response requires me to ask you, dear Merrida, how would you respond to the following statements:

"However, speaking from reality of what perseveres in society, it is a man's culture, like it or not, deep or not, right or wrong, it just is."

(Before I add the next one, I MUST hasten to add that this one is only for the purpose of making a similar point, not for the purpose of representing a negative opinion of this writer regarding racial issues)

"However, speaking from reality of what perseveres in society, it is white oriented, like it or not, deep or not, right or wrong, it just is."

My point is this. Yes, again I will say YES, it is indeed the status quo that our culture is youth oriented much like previous culture inclinations were to be gender or racial oriented. Although much remains to be changed in both areas, we have progressed far from previous stances in both areas. This progress is not due to those misrepresented parties simply throwing up their hands and conceding that it "just is"

The "baby boom" generation has created, moved and changed products and markets since birth. There is no reason that this generation can't change the mind-set of this issue as well. It has to begin with one, then two, then 50 who refuse to sit in the back of the bus. (Apologies made for using such a noble historical act to make a point for such comparative minor issue)

If not me; then who? If not now: then when?

Best wishes!



[This message has been edited by ezmoneymuchfun (edited 12-23-2002).]