There is a TV commercial that I have seen several
times promoting treatment for “moderate to severe fat below the chin.” There’s
a catchy story line to the ad, ending with the promise that this procedure will
result in “leaving an improved profile.”
Ageism pure and simple! The assumption is that the absence of fat
below the chin, the absence of that double chin that sometimes appears as one
ages, is better, more acceptable. This
thinking says that the appearance of physical youthfulness is better than that
appearance can only happen with physical maturity and an increase in years.
Ageism is pernicious. Its effects have great potential for
impacting the self-image of every single adult who has or at least has the
potential of being blessed with a long life.
We cannot address this bias toward age and aging until we recognize
it.
Can you name an instance within the last few days
where you saw ageism in the press, on TV, in cartoons, -- or even in your own
unexamined thoughts?
Ageism is the last ‘ism’ to be conquered. Interestingly enough, it is also the only
‘ism’, the only prejudice, to which every
single person is subject to.
That is, if one is blessed with the gift of years.
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