Long Live the Elderly: How Older People Boost the Survival of Our Human Species
Ode Magazine, Jan/Feb 2006, pgs. 18-19
This article contrasts how we view the elderly in Western society with how elders are treated in other societies. It asserts that within Western society we
consider the elderly to be a burden on society. It goes on to discuss the adaptational value of the elderly in the survival of the human species who have older role models to help in child rearing, decreasing child
mortality. In support of this hypothesis the article compares humans to chimpanzees who have similar reproductive cycles as human but die much earlier and also have significantly greater mortality rates in their young.
The article discusses other countries as examples of how elders are treated with more respect and relied upon for important roles in societies functioning. For instance, the elderly in African culture help provide direction for the youth during initiations and rituals, helping them manage transitions between difficult phases of life. The manner in which the Chinese consider their elders is also presented.
The article comes to the conclusion that the elderly have a great deal to teach us about life and living if only we are willing to learn. As an old adage from Africa declares, “The death of an old person is like the loss of a library.”