Young and old

In many traditional societies, children are encouraged to play until the time comes for their initiation rituals into adulthood. Then they learn what their role is as adults and learn what the expectations are of them, growing as adults in as open a way as the society allows. In their old age they become elders who are respected for their wisdom. In this way there is continued dialogue among young and old in the life of the group.

In contemporary American society, this structure too often becomes skewed. Children at early age are taught to compete, to win, to achieve as their goals. Play for its own sake becomes secondary. Initiation rituals to lead young people into adulthood are hollow. Manhood gets defined by sexual behavior and alcohol. Young people linger in a kind of adolescence until their late 20’s or early 30’s. Youthfulness is admired in looks and behavior even into middle age. A midlife crisis brings continued yearning for the “freedom” of youth.

Aging is lost youth, not acquired wisdom. Yearning for the youthful and the trendy continues through life. The elderly become, not a resource, but a burden to be hidden away and out of sight.