COMMENTS

29 responses to “Open Thread Update: Identity Crisis”

1. As a journalist who writes on health and lifestyle, I doggedly try to replace the word elderly with older when it comes up in research studies. It might be the Los Angeles effect/ no one here is old,lol- just a bit older.

   Reply to Kathleen

2. I rather enjoy being called “Mr. Wayne” by those who are younger. It is almost tradition here in the South to address a senior as “Mr. John” or “Ms. Jan” or Mr. Gene” or Mr. Roy” or Ms. Jean” or “Ms. Connie”
   There seems to be an aura of respect when people are addressed that way. And no one is offended if they are not quite there in age yet.
   Wayne

   Reply to wayne millen

   1. By the way I am 80 years old
      Wayne

      Reply to wayne millen

3. Along this line, why do news articles always say “grandmother” following an older woman’s age (if, in fact, she has grandchildren). For example, “Jane Smith, a 58-year-old grandmother ….”

   I never read “Jane Smith, a 32-year-old mother” or “Jane Smith, a 44-year-old wife,” or “Jane Smith, a 22-year-old daughter.” It’s always just “Jane Smith, 38.” But if she has a grandchild, it’s “Jane Smith, a 38-year-old grandmother.”

   Why do they have to label someone a “grandmother”?

   Reply to Helene Krongoold

   1. Excellent question, Helen. That practice should stop. Furthermore, I don’t recall reading about a reference to ‘grandfather’, when speaking of older men. Why are women being classified this way? Thank you for raising this awareness.

      Reply to Gail Kemper

4. I like “I’m a woman with a history!” I’m 88 years old –I’ll let you imagine the rest.

   Reply to costanza

5. No labels, please.
   Labeling people perpetuates ageism .
   I’m certainly not going to label myself … however cute that label might sound!

   Reply to Maggy Evans

6. Anyone who has to label other people or themselves is a poor excuse for a human being and should be labeled as such. Except, of course, when it comes to discounts! Linda I suggest you get over yourself and stop perpetuating stereotypes.

   Reply to Manuel Eric Norat

7. Don’t need labels, like the use of the name but that doesn’t always work. How do things like the “X” or “Y” Generation Get started? We were Baby Boomers for a while, now it seems the line has been crossed and we’re just old. We must be able to come up with another term.

   Reply to Chris Giles

8. I like Ashton Applewhite’s, author This Chair Rocks, term of ‘olders’…

   Elder connotes wisdom and it is my belief and experience, that added years don’t necessarily equate with added wisdom.

   But this is a great time to be old in my opinion… Given all that is going on I often think “I’m glad I’m old and on my way out.”

   Be well and of good cheer….

   Reply to Blair Fielding

   1. Hummm. Kind of like it. You’re right about the wisdom part; but they/we do have lots of stories, and maybe the wisdom is in the story. Things will get better; never be glad to “be on the way out”, so much yet to experience.

      Reply to Karlene Niva-Colgan

9. I work for Seniors. That’s the term we use. You have to use something.
   I call them individually by name, and that’s who I see, not their age.
   And I am in fact one of them, at 62, My name is Karlene.

   Reply to Karlene Niva-Colgan

10. To those that matter I’m Dad, Grandpa and G-pa (short for Great-Grand-Pa ). What other classes or titles others put me in do not really matter. Most class me automatically as “Senior”; although I’m still proofed when buying beer so to that cashier I’m still a youngster….

    Reply to Micheal

11. Agree with Karen and many of the others. When you build a poll/survey, why not include an “open-ended” option. I hate to be identified by your criteria. I’m just a guy, a person who happens to be 77 years old.

    Reply to Brian L. Long

    1. Thanks for the idea, Brian and others. There isn’t a mechanism that tracks, counts and makes percentages for every possible option. Next time we can certainly add an “Other” option in the list of possible answers and people can post their option in the comments.

       Reply to Senior Planet

12. I am a woman with history.

    I am a cool old broad

    Reply to Martye Cirioni

13. In the land of Oz (Australia) those of us who are retired from paid work and (were) wandering the globe are called gray nomads, I can relate to that. But on the whole labels seem derogatory, for any cohort in fact, and on that basis perhaps I need to refrain from referring to Milenials and Gen Xers. I guess none of us care to be pigeon holed.

    Reply to Lynne Besanr

14. When I book into an Airbnb I always like to say I am a senior just to make it clear that I’m not in the expected range of backpacker or young travellers

    Reply to Roy

15. Why not just call us by our names? I have a name, learn it, use it.

    Reply to Karen

    1. I am with you, Karen

       Reply to Connie

    2. Could’nt vote for any of those because they say the same thing, just different words. I like Karen’s answer, call me by my name, period! It’s been with me longer than anything else.

       Reply to Mary Mulcrone

16. I’m not any of the labels you option!
    If anything I’m a Queenager. I’m a fashion designer, launching a new luxury brand shortly and have a political T-shirt line supporting not for profits around the world. I am engaged with the world, Did a Master degree in fashion and sustainability in my mid 50s, mentor young start up businesses to get funding for their fashion businesses from the UK government. I still go to the hip and happening events in my city and go clubbing ( pre covid obvs) I Also workout regularly doing yoga, tai chi and Pilates as well as meditating twice a day. Keep up people!!!

    Reply to Vivienne Austin

    1. I like this one. I am a 74 hiking lady. I am always looking for adventures and will try just about anything. I DO NOT any of the choices given and seldom refer to others with a label.

       Reply to glen r.

17. I am me with 65 years of life experience.
    I am always learning.
    I am also a wise elder.

    Reply to Judy Rough

    1. I am a member of Sage-ing International (just google it) and we also talk about having, in my case, 69 years of LIFE EXPERIENCE. We refer to ourselves as “sages” to draw attention to our wisdom….that’s what works for me.

       Reply to Georgeanna Tryban

18. “Vintage” like a fine wine

    Reply to Betsy

19. In our family we always used the term elder as in “always respect your elders” . An outdated concept it seems.

    Reply to anna

20. Why do we always have to label people, black, white, old , young , high IQ, low IQ, blah blah blah

    Reply to Joyce

    1. I agree wholeheartedly!!! Doctors notes might begin with _ _ year old female or male, but other than that our name should suffice.

       Reply to Linda