Be bold, claim old. When I mention this phrase in my campaign to fight ageism, I am often greeted with nervous laughter, an inquisitive look or a resounding “yes!”
It’s meant to be provocative. It’s meant to be a powerful call to action. I am fed up with living in a society that is obsessed with youth and assigns little value to old age.
The dread of aging is embedded early with negative “over the hill” birthday messages for anyone over 29. Each year following, we head in the opposite direction of what our society values most – youth.
We often fixate on the biological process of aging, but aging is also culturally defined. Ever the optimist, I believe we can change the way old is valued in our society.
We all play a role in creating culture and it often takes a radical idea to shift thinking in our society. Here is mine: Be Bold, Claim Old.
As a first step, I challenge everyone, no matter what age, to claim and celebrate their age. If the idea of claiming old makes your stomach turn or you groan thinking “not me, I’m not old”, then this campaign is for you.
The idea for the campaign borrows from other social justice movements.
I believe we can learn from Malcolm X when he said “we cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.” He posed the idea that society had influenced black people to dislike their own hair and darker skin color – as it was viewed in opposition to white.
Although a very different context, a similar premise may be useful in thinking about ageism. We have inherited a cultural value that youth is the gold standard and anything that does not appear young is less valued. This affects not only our own self-worth but how we treat others that we consider old.
I think the fight against ageism can also learn from the gay rights movement and their successful reclaiming of the word queer. Could a similar effort be used to create a positive connotation and value for “old”?
Not everyone is black or queer, but aging is a UNIVERSAL human experience. It is in our individual and collective best interest to create a society where old is as valued, meaningful and significant as young.
For myself, I have made a conscious decision to value old. For me, this means not dying my hair to cover the new gray strands that increase every day. I wear the visible sign of my aging proudly.
The idea for Be Bold, Claim Old was launched in a two-minute, TED-inspired talk at the 2015 Leading Age conference. My hope is that it will spark a new way of thinking about old. It was received positively and speakers as well as random strangers stopped me throughout the conference to share their ages.
I hope it resonates with you as well. Please enjoy and share widely!
I agree with the post from the Still the lucky Few. I am 81 and since I enjoy relatively good health, live in New York City and am curious, I am thriving. I know that this is luck and not due to spotless living so I am humble but happy in my good fortune.
I am the creator of a blog called, “Refined by Age,” which examines and challenges ageism. It’s been awhile now since I’ve written anything new, but I’m glad to hear others are picking up the challenge. I created many meme’s as well. My health took all my energy for quite a few years now, but perhaps I will pick it up again as time and health permit. Check it out, and let’s be in touch. I’m 61.
UPDATE: For those interested in learning more or joining the campaign, there is a now a Be Bold, Claim Old website. Check out http://www.beboldclaimold.com. All ideas and partners welcome!
Hi Amy! I am 62 and proud and happy to claim it. I agree that our society has long ignored and dismissed its elders and appreciate you creating a model to turn that around. As a baby boomer I’m happy to say that I and other boomers are currently doing our best to change the perception about what it means and the many advantages of aging well and happy (and writing and speaking about it). What I would propose for you, at your younger age, is to begin to take that message your Gen X contemporaries. Many of us who are already considered senior already know the truth of what you suggest. But I definitely didn’t when I was your age. I believe the ONLY way the situation will change is when younger folks learn and embrace the many advantages that come from aging well. The shift needs to begin with younger people and that is who will benefit most from it as they age. ~Kathy
Amy, I was inspired seeing you speak in person and am thrilled to read this post. Thank you for continuing this important work!
I think Amy is wise beyond her years! To change our culture we need to change our attitudes. By “Being Bold and Claiming Old”, we begin this process of change.
I am an AGNG 200 student at the Erickson School of Aging, I completely agree with your post! People are so obsessed with youth, every day there’s new commercials for products such as “Miracle Wrinkle Control”, but growing old is natural and we shouldn’t be afraid of signs of aging such as wrinkles. If we start to appreciate these signs of aging instead of fighting them, then maybe we can help fight ageism!
There’s so many positive aspects related to aging. In class we learned about developmental intelligence which refers to all the emotional, intellectual, social and psychological that a person gains when they age. These things can only be learned with age, so instead of fighting aging we need to embrace all the positive aspects of aging.
On TV we see such a negative portrayal of older people. On TV we see older people as being extremely forgetful, having boring lives, and unable to learn new things. This portrayal is far from the truth There’s so much research being done about neural plasticity in adults. People previously believed that after a certain age you wouldn’t be able to learn as much as younger people, but this is not true! The human brain is extremely plastic, and you can learn new things at any age! Many older people start pursuing their passions after they retire, so aging is not bleak like it’s portrayed on TV!
I predict Amy’s campaign will take flight. SO BOLD! It excites me that someone who is 43 is wise enough to create and spread this message. I’m 60!
At the age of 76, I believe I am qualified to “be bold” and, “claim old”, which I do every day, through my life and my writing. I enjoyed your article, Amy, and agree with your ideas. This ageism movement is long overdue, and we must all strive to change the underlying mistaken beliefs about becoming older. I am puzzled, however, to read articles about ageism written by very young people like you. I am trying to understand this trend in “ChangingAging”, and, although I like this organization and agree with its philosophy, I wonder if the concerns about aging may be better served by sourcing writers who can speak from a base of experience. There are so many of us, and we are seldom heard.
My mantra is’ You Are Just Now Old Enough!’ Every year, every day creates new possibilities that were not possible before! I am excited about the power of experience and wisdom….shhhhh don’t tell them but that is not available to young folks! Too bad, they’ll have to wait 🙂