Social life in Later life

Our class and reading last week about the Red Hat Society really brought some of the misconceptions about later life that permeate our culture. It's important throughout life as infants, toddlers, young children, adolescents, young adults, etc. to be actively social. In fact, it is essential to our development to have contact with others through friendships and family. Why wouldn't this still be the case in later life?

I suppose that it is easy to think that, by the time you enter later life, everything is done/finished, and you have nothing else to accomplish or learn. We're never really done learning or growing, so it is even more important that adults in later life have social networks, especially because some of the automatic social networks like school or work are sometimes not available.

Another thing I really liked about the RHS was the willingness (and encouragement) to be a bit silly and have fun.  Just because we get older doesn't mean we stop liking stupid jokes or being boisterously loud with our friends. In society, we are encouraged to act in a mature way, which stifles the fun or silliness in our lives. Why can't we be responsible and mature, but still have a good time? I remember seeing my parents (50+) in a new way one winter when we visited where they grew up. They got together with some high school/college friends for an evening, and it seemed just like when I got together with my friends. Lots of laughing, joking, and just relaxing together. It's nice to know that life when you get older doesn't have to be all bills, work, and responsibility.