The Changing Perception of Old Age:
As individuals approach milestone birthdays such as 30, 40, or 50, they may encounter well-meaning attempts at consolation from friends and family. Phrases like “30 is the new 20” or “age is just a number” are often offered, and while they may provide temporary reassurance, a study published in the journal Psychology and Aging suggests that these remarks may actually hold some truth.
The study, titled “Postponing Old Age: Evidence for Historical Change Toward a Later Perceived Onset of Old Age,” found that the threshold for being considered “old” has moved forward over time. Furthermore, as people age, they tend to perceive old age as being even farther away. While one cynical interpretation of this finding could be that individuals are either in denial or vain, a more nuanced explanation lies in the cultural and societal factors that shape our perceptions of age.
In societies that fetishize youth and equate it with vigor and beauty, such as the current age of social media, a desire to remain youthful may contribute to a perceived delay in old age. However, there is also a more compassionate and human explanation for this phenomenon. To a teenager, an individual in their 40s may seem elderly. However, as that individual reaches their fourth decade, if their well-being and health are intact, that age may not feel old at all. In fact, the trend towards feeling young for longer can be seen as a positive development.
Traditionally, old age has been associated with the end of life’s journey, rather than new beginnings. However, the changing perception of old age may challenge this notion. If young people are experiencing an extended adolescence, delaying the onset of adulthood, it follows that they may also perceive old age as being farther away. In other words, as the boundaries of life stages become more fluid, so too does the perception of aging.
