New developmental norms could enhance our lives as we go from newborn to later life. Mostly out of necessity......because humans change in their ability to perform behaviors as they go through life. For example, newborns cannot talk, think, make decisions, walk, etc. Then babies learn more and more as time goes on. Society expects babies to follow guidelines and laws as they learn each level and consequently young people become more capable. They gain more privileges (such as walking to school alone or the right to make their own choices) as they develop.
Society expects people in their 20's - 60's to add new responsibilities, such as business, advanced education, careers, family, support for charities, religious teaching, progress, and even global concerns. To some extent, most cultures have evolved in this manner. For example, American society now finds retirement from full-time employment to part-time employment acceptable. Downsizing our homes from owning three-stories to living in a condo to renting an apartment in an Independent Living Facility is viewed as a natural progression.
As individuals, we could benefit by viewing downsizing our personal lives as a positive step, not a negative one. For example, advertisements offer enhancements to "correct" our flaws....our wrinkled skin, our Failure to walk as fast, or our Failure to keep from dropping our food on our shirts as we eat. Most of these aids such as hearing aids, eyeglasses, creams, or medications are beneficial. Rather than viewing these aids as corrections for flaws, I advocate that we add these just as we add a bicycle for a child as a developmental need. Just as we change our expectations for the child as he or she goes from pre-school to middle school to high school, we need to see behavior for the 60+ crowd as a natural progression in development.
My concern is not with the aids, but I believe that we should adopt new attitudes. Society does not regard a 6-month-old baby who cannot walk as flawed. Society views him or her developmentally. Likewise, we need to accept new developmental norms for the over 60 crowd.
Great thoughts re this business of aging! Almost all of American sales and advertising are geared to a much younger demographic . The "infuencers" in the world of social media are definitely tied to the impressionable younger set who are peer pressured to purchase only certain products. I absolutely agree that a change of attitude is needed by seniors to embrace the use of the technology and devices available to them so that they can lead as independent a life as possible. There also is a need for younger people to encourage and applaud their elders for doing so.
You are spot on that life itself is a series of developmental stages that we go through. Enjoyed the thought-provoking essay!…