Age and Culture Essay

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Attitudes towards aging do vary among cultures, with concepts of age and age-related behavioral norms being culturally bound. In spite of stereotypes that suggest some cultures honor their elders, research shows that ageism—discrimination against elders—“form of social prejudice that people from all social backgrounds have to deal with,” (Berger, 2017, p. 1). Still, culture will determine the roles assigned to people in different age brackets. Attitudes towards young adults and other age cohorts will impact the evolution of political and social institutions. For example, people under a certain age will not be considered fully able or mature enough to contribute to major decisions affecting that society. Age itself is a major factor affecting attitudes towards its own and other age groups. For instance, young people in any culture will view people their own age differently from people who are significantly younger or older. Gender also factors into the age equation, with different expectations for behaviors and roles based on both age and gender. This paper will provide an overview of attitudes and expectations with regards to three distinct cultures in the United States: Latin American, Native American, and African American. Although there are significant similarities between these three cultures, values, attitudes, and beliefs about aging are culturally embedded.

Latin American cultures have been characterized by collectivism in the society, generally, which refers to a number of different factors including strong kinship ties, and a sense of obligation to one’s family members (Fuligni, Tseng & Lam, 1999). Collectivism in turn leads to a view that age simply changes one’s role but does not lead to status depreciation. Children, adolescents, elders, young people, young adults, and seniors: all persons have a role to play, a function, and deserve respect in the society (Fuligni, Tsent & Lam, 1999). The same is true for Native Americans, which also have a strong sense of collectivism and hold positive attitudes generally towards all age cohorts including elders (Berger, 2017). More individualistic and less collectivist than their Latin American and Native American counterparts, African Americans correspondingly show more diversity in attitudes towards various age groups.

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In particular, African Americans express overall fears of the physical effects of aging and view seniors in terms of physical health restrictions (Corwin, Ladtika, Ladtika, et al., 2009). However, the family reunion features frequently in African American society, revealing a strong support for egalitarian views among various age cohorts. Therefore, Latin American, Native American, and African American groups all view each age group or stage of development…

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…regards to expectations for marriage and child bearing, with females expected to be married and raise children much more so than men in their cultures. Male adults are given greater leeway for cultivating a sense of self independent from their families, their marriages, or their parenthood statuses.

Among Latin American, Native American, and African American cultures, attitudes towards elders is becoming less positive due to negative media influences in a youth-oriented society (Berger, 2017). However, these are three cultures that have tended to hold positive views towards elders, with expectations that this age cohort will continue to add wisdom to the society, will be leaders to their communities, and will offer advice and support to their family members. Elders in Latin American, African American, and Native American societies still have an important role or function to serve, with many of them being quintessentially suited to certain high status positions precisely because of their age. While it is important not to make any generalizations about any culture, particularly among those living in diverse geographic regions, attitudes towards age and different age groups is strikingly similar among Latin American, Native American, and Latin American people. Predominant attitudes are positive, influenced by factors like gender, geography, and of course, age itself.….....

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