Many cultural divides exist in our society today. From culture to culture, we differ in the foods we eat, the clothes we wear, and the holidays we celebrate. However, the cultural differences we often forgot exist in the way we treat our senior population.
In American culture, seniors are often neglected. Aging is seen as a shameful process, and youthful is synonymous with healthy. Many people receive surgical procedures to lessen the appearance of wrinkles or dye their hair to hide any grays. Seniors are often subject to disrespect and aren't recognized for the wisdom they possess. Plus, ageism is a rampant force in the workplace. However, in many cultures, the opposite is true.
For example, in many East Asian cultures, respecting one’s elders is an absolute necessity. In China, it is fully legal for elderly parents to sue their children for fiscal and emotional support. Also, companies are legally obligated to give their workers time off to see and support their parents. These practices stem from a Confucian ideal called filial piety, which means to be good to one’s parents or ancestors. Filial piety suggests that a child must show love to, respect, and cherish their elders. Filial piety ensures reverence for elders in Chinese society.
Confucian teachings are also prominent in other East Asian countries. Filial piety is a value that likewise exists in Korean culture. Younger generations are obligated to take care of their elders. Also, it is common for a Korean senior to have large celebrations on both their 60th and 70th birthdays. The 60th birthday, or hwan-gap, represents one’s passage into old age, celebrates their wisdom, and honors their long life. The 70th birthday, also known as the chilsun/gohui, is a very similar celebration.
Vietnam is yet another East Asian country that values its elders. Vietnamese seniors are a vital part of the household, as they prepare meals and care for their grandchildren. They are considered carriers of knowledge, tradition, and wisdom. Typically, they are the ones making the decisions for the household.
In India, elders are the head of the family. They are the source of all advice one may need, and typically have the final say in any family conflicts; they are for sure the most influential member of the family. The elders of the family often have a large religious responsibility. Any disrespect directed towards them would be considered unacceptable, whether they are related to you or not. In fact, there is a social stigma in India towards any children that place their elderly parents in care homes.
In Scotland, much of the same is true. Scottish elders are considered to be valuable members of society. In fact, the Scottish government just released a new program, called “Reshaping Care for Older People.” The program reformed much of the funding towards treatments towards various ailments, instead, reallocating it towards preventative care. This has allowed for a better quality of life for Scottish elders.
We have a lot to learn in terms of senior care. Hopefully, by observing the different practices put into place by other countries, we, as Americans, can do better in regards to care for the aging. We can encourage legislation protecting our seniors and ensuring the best quality of care for them. We can reverse the stigma around aging and introduce new respect for the elderly.
Thank you so much for reading! I really hope you enjoyed the article. Please feel free reach out if you would like to take the discussion further, or have absolutely any questions or comments.
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