Growing old together...or not?

The other evening as I washed my face and put on some lotion before going to bed, I asked my husband:

"What happens when I get old and wrinkly?"

He replied: "I'll be old and wrinkly, too."

That thought was somewhat comforting to think about while falling asleep that night, but what happens when you don't have that partner? In our grandparents' generation, it was relatively accepted that the person you meet and fall in love with at 20 or 30 will be the same person that you are with in your 60s or 70s. Currently, with almost half of first marriages ending in divorce, this isn't really the case anymore. Could this be part of our society's growing obsession over youth and defying the signs of aging?

When people are out in the world, and more specifically the dating scene, in their 40s and 50s, they may feel that they are competing with younger individuals. This may be particularly true with women, and perhaps may begin to explain the "cougar" phenomenon as a reflection of the older man/younger woman relationship.

Just some food for thought, what do YOU think?

Bat Wings and Turkey Wattles?

Alright, I do admit that the article's title did get my attention. First question: I knew what this meant (or at least had an idea of it), but what about men? This took me to some thoughts about aging and gender in a shared context. Older men are "sophisticated" and "accomplished", but older women are not? I know that this goes much deeper into issues of gender and how it relates to power in our society. Perhaps the root of this discourse can be found in the lingering sentiment that a woman is only as valuable as she appears, going back to when women were considered more like possessions than people.

Yes, I suppose you could say "well, look at Demi Moore! She's in a relationship with a younger man, so it's not just the 'older man, younger woman' stereotype anymore." I would agree that she sets a different standard for the relationship part of things; HOWEVER, do you think Demi looks her age? How does her youthful appearance affect the way society perceives her relationship with a younger man? What about someone like Diane Keaton? THAT is what I envision when I think of aging gracefully. If you have not seen "Something's Gotta Give", I really recommend it. Diane sets a new standard for older women and beauty, and does not seem to fall into some of the same traps that other aging actresses have in regard to the quest for a youthful look. Another thought: sex sells (sells movies, merchandise, clothing, cars...), and do you think of adults in later life even as sexual beings at all?

See you all tomorrow,
Megan

Welcome to Megan's FSW 466/566 Blog

Hello everyone!

This is the blog I have created as part of my work in the FSW 566 course. I am in my 2nd year of graduate study at Miami, and I anticipate graduating in May 2011 with my MS in Family and Child Studies. I also have my undergraduate degree in Spanish from Miami.

Please check back between class meetings for an opportunity to discuss your thoughts on the information from readings and class meetings.

Thanks!
Megan Kuykendoll
taylormk@muohio.edu