Time Magazine is celebrating its 100th birthday.
Ironically, one of their articles this week is entitled “Why Americas are uniquely afraid of growing old.” But Time may have it wrong about that.
A recent nationwide poll found that 75% of people questioned said that age is not something to fight or fear, but rather an opportunity to live a more fulfilling and emotionally and physically healthy life. Most of them saying they have actually seen areas of their lives improve with age, such as confidence, their sense of self and their relationships with family members.
The survey also found that even most people moving closer to middle age say that they feel more fulfilled and satisfied with their lives now than when that they were in their 20’s.
But at the same time, this recent polling found that about 80 percent of Americans say that society puts too much value on appearing youthful. Most said they agree that there’s a negative bias around aging or the perception of being old and that many of them said they avoid sharing their age for fear of being “judged”. And most of those in the poll said social media sends the wrong message about physical appearances.
Growing old can have its pains, so to speak, but this research suggests that there are a lot fewer grumpy old people around than there are older people with a more positive attitude about aging.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images