...Fear of Aging and Death Name of Student Liberty University Abstract This paper addresses the fear of death and aging in America. The United States is a culture in which people are judged by their appearance. The media idealizes youth and feeds into the fallacy that becoming older is somehow negative. Thus, the identity of those who are growing older is undermined, and older Americans are often devalued. The reality, however, is that God has a plan for every phase of our lives. Research indicates that between the ages of 75 and 84, 73% report no disability, thus proving that older Americans are living long, healthy lives and are valuable assets to society (Vaillant & Mukamal, 2001). Appearance has no relevance on the contributions one can make in society. Furthermore, our fear of death is irrational. Death is often feared as a result of our diminishing faith in God and unbelief in the reality of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Death is not the end of life, but only the beginning of eternal life in a place free from illness, heartache and death. A Society Obsessed with Youth Americans are obsessed with youth and physical beauty. The average adult male in the United States spends thirty-two minutes getting ready in the morning (Hamermesh, 2011). The average adult female spends forty-four minutes (Hamermesh, 2011). Time is not the only thing Americans spend on their appearance. “In 2008, the average American household spent $718 on women’s and girl’s...
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...4/11/13 Forever 21 - Research Papers - Nirvana3624368 Login Join The Research Paper Factory Join Search Browse Saved Papers Search over 95,000 Essays Forever 21 In: Forever 21 Forever 21: Dealing with America’s fear of aging and death Abstract This paper is about confronting America’s fear of the issues of aging and death. Over the years, American culture has grown uncomfortable with matters of growing old and death. The basis of this thinking is rooted in the mind and influenced by society. There is an ever increasing desire that’s rampant across our nation to remain young. This can be seen in the media, marketing for different products from makeup to apparel. Americans want to remain young for as long as they possibly can. In 1984, the band Alphaville came out with the song “Forever Young” to express America’s heart cry. However, aging and death is a part of life and a direct result of the fall of man. Aging and death were not the original condition of humanity, rather punishment that resulted from rebellion against God’s commandment. This paper examines why there is aging and death, America’s response to it, and a solution to rightly mature in the process. Since long ago America’s heart cry has been to stay young forever. In 1984, the band Alphaville came out with the song “Forever Young” to communicate the nation’s desire. In cities across the country and around every turn, materialism is vocalizing the longing for youth everlasting. This constant...
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...with America’s Fear of Aging and Death Margaret Kimble Developmental Psychology 210 Liberty University Abstract Mankind has tried to cheat aging and death by freezing their remains, cosmetic surgery or marrying outside their generation hoping to stay young. However, these attempts are futile and Americans cannot hold back the clock or trick death. The clock is ticking and when it stops I will die and so will you no one knows when. Although there is a great deal of research on aging and death, no one has discovered how to halt the inevitable. It is a scientific and biblical fact that human beings will age and die. All life ends in death. This paper will cover some of the issues regarding, fear of death, and fear of aging. It will also explore if Americans fear death and aging because we have no control over it or we don’t understand it. Fear of aging can be attributed the fear of our health failing; losing our memory, independence and the energy for living our lives to the fullest (Berger, 2001). Fear of death can be attributed to not being able to speak to someone who is still experiencing it. Many fear growing older because of the onslaught of mental deterioration such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease; which are attributed to old age. (Philipchalk, 1994). Fear of aging and death is caused by America’s negative concept; it is the natural progression of life. In Strongman’s research he found that a dominant aspect of aging is death (Strongman, 2006). ...
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...Through the Eyes of Death LaFaye P. Moore Jr. PSY/280 Human Growth and Development 5/18/2011 Donna Poppendieck Looking Through the Eyes of Death Through death comes the pain of life that can be hand in two ways. In the way to cry and let the pain show then the other one is to hand it the way u need to for your family. Death it the place that no one want it can be a blessing or a cures because now the love ones are died. Looking through the eyes of death through different development of life span leading to the end of life where it comes to a death of itself. These topics, late adulthood and the death of individual as a culmination, ageism and stereotypes associated with late adulthood, how individuals can promote health wellness into late adulthood, mitigate the negative effects of aging, the importance of relationships and social interactions as individual nears end of life, cultural and personal attitudes about death, and dignity through late adulthood. Late adulthood and the death of individual as a culmination Late adulthood for an individual that helps, they find a way to handle accepting death. Then an individual that see death through his or her own eyes learn how to handle this. Therefore, through culminating through the life span of development they build up different ways in how to see death and deal with it. Death is the process where lives have end or is it to mean a new life. Lives come and go through different meaning to them through death. It is time to...
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...Aging and Death 1 . Running head: AGING, DEATH AND DYING Aging, Death, Dying, Aging and a Meaningful Life ________________________________________ Aging and Death 2 Introduction This analytical paper will examine the topics of death, aging and a meaningful life based on the novel Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. By exploring these topics, we will be exploring the life lessons Albom received from his dying college professor Morrie Schwartz. Albom shares the life lessons his professor passed down to him on death, fear, family and having a meaningful life. By disclosing these he topics, one can appreciate Albom’s thoughtfulness to share his story in discovering life through the death of his professor Morrie. Aging Aging is the process of growing older and includes changes in both biology and psychology. Biology refers to the way the body functions. Psychology describes how the mind functions. How people age has to do with genetics, environment, and lifestyle over a lifetime. The process of aging is complex, and may derive from a variety of different mechanisms and exist for a variety of different reasons. (Health-cares.net). As Morris grown old and was unable to wipe himself during his final days, he says to Albom, “I began to enjoy my dependency. Now I enjoy when they turn me over on my side and rub cream on my behind so I don’t get sores. Or when they wipe my brow, or they message my...
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...Fear of Aging and Dying in America Hollis Phelps Liberty Developmental Psychology PSYCH 210 Dr. Shaw July 21, 2014 Fear of Aging and Dying in America Abstract The fear of aging and death is nothing new. Anthropologists, philosophers, sociologists, and psychologists are in agreement that since the beginning of mankind’s history, fear is the universal response to death. In America, the reaction is far greater striking chords of terror so horrific and becoming innately ingrained in the fabric of society to affect most every segment. This paper will look at this fear and determine the affects it has had on present day America’s behaviors toward and beliefs about the aging population and correlate it to the society’s fear of death. Everyone has heard the expression that “time flies by like the blink of an eye.” Humans have been attempting for centuries to make sense of and accept the concept of time. The great Albert Einstein, the most prolific physicist of the 20th century, in his Theory of Relativity proved that time was relative. In other words, time and it’s accepted concept of constant, continual progression at a fixed rate was incorrect or not an absolute. Einstein convinced himself and many others that the past, present, and future were only an illusion (Schwartz, 2003). However, to the majority of the world’s population, time is not a theory. It is something that propels us into old age and beyond. The subject of time has inspired many artists to attempt stopping...
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...Forever 21: Dealing with America’s fear of aging and death Abstract This paper is about confronting America’s fear of the issues of aging and death. Over the years, American culture has grown uncomfortable with matters of growing old and death. The basis of this thinking is rooted in the mind and influenced by society. There is an ever increasing desire that’s rampant across our nation to remain young. This can be seen in the media, marketing for different products from makeup to apparel. Americans want to remain young for as long as they possibly can. In 1984, the band Alphaville came out with the song “Forever Young” to express America’s heart cry. However, aging and death is a part of life and a direct result of the fall of man. Aging and death were not the original condition of humanity, rather punishment that resulted from rebellion against God’s commandment. This paper examines why there is aging and death, America’s response to it, and a solution to rightly mature in the process. Since long ago America’s heart cry has been to stay young forever. In 1984, the band Alphaville came out with the song “Forever Young” to communicate the nation’s desire. In cities across the country and around every turn, materialism is vocalizing the longing for youth everlasting. This constant struggle with “wants” versus “reality” has left individuals searching for ways to cope. In addition, the lifespan of human beings was not always an average of eighty years. One thing to take into...
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...accepting his or her self, accomplishments, and can come to terms with mortality (Preisser, 1997). Once an individual can accept responsibility for what he or she achieved in life and undo any negative feelings on what his or her life portrayed this is the essential part of life. There are some individuals who have skepticism or misery over what he or she accomplished or did not accomplish in his or her life, and his is a result of thoughts of despair. When one determines that his or her life is a successful resolution this stage is life is considered virtue wisdom (Preisser, 1997). As any individual ages, he or she needs to confront the issue of aging and rid the negative stereotypes that each person has with aging. The universal aging process, senescence, is experienced by all humans. Every day of one’s life is a step in the aging...
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...Late Adulthood and Death PSY/280 June 30, 2014 "Late adulthood is a time of reflection, enjoying friends, family, and grandchildren, and maintaining health in preparation for the final years of the lifespan. Although genetics play a significant role in the quality of life during these final years, individuals who modify destructive lifestyles and embark on healthier options will experience an improvement in their health and sense of wellbeing (Berger, 2008). During this stage of adulthood, older adults remain socially active and independent rather than subjecting themselves to isolation and withdrawal (Berger, 2008). As more aging adults continue to live healthy, socially active lives and maintain important family roles, it is important to refrain from stereotypical thought and the negativity of ageism, which can contribute to their premature decline. With technology and high quality medical care, aging adults continue to be a valuable resource for younger generations. Healthy habits and daily routines are essential for promoting health and wellness into late adulthood. Smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise, and overeating cost many individuals their ability to maintain an active and independent lifestyle as they age (Berger, 2008). Exercise and a healthy...
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...of passage. There are many rites of passage during a human life leading up to the final rite of passage, which is death. Funeral and death rites are used to mark the passing of a loved one and to help the living cope with and understand the departure of that loved one. These rituals are very different from one culture and society to the next. In the United States, funerals and death rites are usually one day affairs with no further rites practiced. In Japan, funeral rites are much more ritualized and not only deal with death, they also deal with life after death. The lack of funeral and death rites in contemporary Western society can lead to disenfranchised grief as they may be insufficient in helping people cope with the loss of a loved one. Japanese culture marks aging with milestone birthdays that are celebrated to map the progression of aging to the final destination of death. In this paper I will be examining funeral and death rites and if they adequately help with the grieving process and the acceptance of death. I will be examining the funeral and death rites in the United States from an etic perspective and contrasting this examination with an emic perspective of the same rituals as they are practiced in Japan, to show that my cultures rituals are lacking in the tools to deal with grief and acceptance of death. I will be examining funeral and death rites in my own culture from an etic perspective. In order to do this I will have to step outside my culture and...
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...Late Adulthood and Death Vee Dubb PSY/280 September 8, 2012 Jones Adam Late Adulthood and Death Most people agreed upon that “whatever has a beginning must come to a halt or reaches climax eventually”. The race of one’s life begins at conception in the womb and ends with death. This stage of life is a period of reminiscing, socializing with friends, family especially grandchildren, and maintain a sustainable health as one journey’s to dying. Meanwhile, human growth and development study made us understand that the race of one’s life is in stages from the point of conception to an infant, to a childhood stage, to an adolescent stage, to an adulthood stage, to an elderly, and finally to end of life and the study as well made us understand the extensive changes throughout lifespan; Consequently, it is known the reason why most toddlers says “No”, and why many adolescent pay attention to their body without criticizing any stage of these lifespan stages. The same concept is applicable to elders or late adulthood people and having a discriminatory ideology towards a person because of his/her age or people of late adulthood stage would be considered uncivilized or uneducated act or a novice to the study of human growth and development. Late adulthood can be a challenge because of the signs of aging from middle adult continues and increased as one aged. Late adulthood individual may face with significant changes including brittle bones, hearing impaired, visual problems...
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...there are easily identifiable periods of growth; yet the older one gets the more indiscernible relative changes become. This paper will discuss late adulthood and death, placing emphasis on the following: how individuals can promote health and wellness into late adulthood and mitigate the negative effects of aging, an analysis of ageism and stereotypes associated with late adulthood, an exploration of different views of death and dying at different points in human development, and an examination of the attitudes of various cultures towards death and dying. Getting older does not have to mean that one gets sicker. Of course as we age our reflexes slow and the passage of time may appear more noticeably on one’s face. Yes we do get older, all of us; it is called senescence. Senescence is the process of aging and all humans go through it. But as previously stated one does not need to get sicker just because they get older. Some of the ways to promote wellness in an older adult include but are not limited to the following: exercise and dieting, eliminating unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and establishing healthy personal relationships. Older adults should be proactive in the pursuit of health and wellness, according to K.S. Berger (2008) some of the health factors that accompany aging are heart disease, diabetes and dementia. All of these health factors can be anticipated and to some point, prevented. As the body ages it is more susceptible to...
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...the definitive culmination to the end of life (Berger, 2008). Descending toward the end of life in late adulthood can be despairing, but it does not have to be if one has psychologically prepared for and has accepted that death is inevitable. Senescence, primary aging and secondary aging each take place at this stage, but perspective, quality, and joy of life is still relevant. Eric Erickson, psychologist, defines the late adulthood stage—ages 55 or 65 to death, basically as adults assessing what their lives have cultivated throughout its development. Erickson’s theory of the final stage of development sequence is “integrity versus despair” (Berger, 2008). According to Berger, Erickson proposes in this eighth stage that the two opposing forces reference: Life brings many, quite realistic reasons for experiencing despair: aspects of the present that causes unremitting pain; aspects of a future that are uncertain and frightening. And, of course, there remains inescapable death, that one aspect of the future which is both wholly certain and wholly unknowable. Thus, some despair must be acknowledged and integrated as a component of old age. (2008, p. 680) For some, late adulthood and the end of life stage can be disparaging. Many struggle with the aspects of death, fearing its inevitable approach especially if illness has befallen them. They may consider their failures overall more so than the triumphs and hardships they had to contend with resulting in victories. Harder offers more...
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...Erikson- last three stages: Intimacy vs iso: close reciprocal connection. Not self-absorb. Emerging adult to lifelong iso..Divorce or death disruption.. Generativity vs stag: care for next generation. Raising own children or mentoring. Integrity vs despair: Erikson was 70 and decided on integrity. Personal journey from a person’s entire life in connection with society is the ultimate goal. Generativity: productive stage (7th). Art, care giving, employment. Caregiving: Kinkeeper: takes responsibility for maintaining communication among family. Sandwich Generation: middle aged adults squeezed by the needs of younger and older members of the family. Intimacy: connect with others; social convoy-family, friends, strangers who move through life with a person. Protective layer of social relation. Affects relationships with siblings and spouses. Integration of death and the acceptance of death. Maslow- top to bottom: 5.Self Actualization: need to live into someone’s full potential. Aesthetic, creative, and spiritual understanding. 4. Esteem: achievement, competence, respect from others. 3. Love and belonging: need to be loved, belong and acceptance. 2. Safety: Feel safe/secure.1. Physiological: need food, drink, shelter. Mid Life Crisis: 35-50yrs. Mostly men. Reflect back and evaluate life. Radical self-examination and transformation. Levinson study. The age 40 crucible-Gail Sheehy 1976. Characteristics of Personality: (O.C.E.A.N): “The Big Five” Openness- imaginative, artistic...
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...Late Adulthood and Death Paper Late Adulthood and Death The final years of an individual's lifespan mark the time for reflection of one's life while also spending time with family, including grandchildren, and maintaining physical and mental health throughout the entire stage of late adulthood. Quality of life in late adulthood is determined by genetics, the modification of destructive lifestyles and behaviors, and selecting healthier options not only throughout the earlier stages of development but especially in this stage for improvements to health and having an overall sense of well-being (Berger, 2009). Remaining socially active and independent for as long as possible instead of succumbing to isolating is key during this stage of adulthood (Berger, 2009). In the stage of late adulthood living socially active, healthy, and physically active lives while maintaining important family roles is very important , which illiminates some stressor of aging that may be brought on by negative and stereotypical thoughts of ageism which will assist in their premature decline. High quality medical care assisted by technology can provide aging adults comfort knowing they are helping to protect and safeguard younger generations as science learns from the older generations. Ageism and Stereotypes In late adulthood, there are a lot of stereotypes and misunderstandings of older adults (Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood, n.d.). Ageism and perceptions against someone’s...
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