Comments on: How Old Are You Now? The Relationship Between Age & Wisdom

By: sameve

sameve — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:50:40 +0000

Susan: I'm glad you've enjoyed these posts. You bring up some very interesting points. There is definitely a stigma about “young people” that we have a lot to learn, but you're right that people also need to realize that we have learned and experienced a lot. Although you may not look your age, on the other side of things, I think that you're very mature and wise for your age. This is exactly why I say we can't be limited by one number! Thanks for sharing your perspective!

By: sameve

sameve — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:50:40 +0000

By: Susan Pogorzelski

Susan Pogorzelski — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:38:16 +0000

Sam: I've loved reading your past few posts though admit I've been remiss in responding. But I am now! So, progress

I think as people get older, they somewhat naturally feel a need to dismiss due to age. There's that flippant, “oh, she's young, she'll learn” attitude. We are young, we are learning. But that doesn't mean we haven't learned, experienced, etc before.

On another side — I look a lot younger than I am. So I do tend to get that often before people realize my age; I find myself attempting to prove myself and my maturity. I wonder where that falls into play.

Anyway, great post and discussion!

By: Tweets that mention Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates » Blog Archive » How Old Are You Now? The Relationship Between Age & Wisdom -- Topsy.com

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:08:56 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Samantha Karol and Elisa Doucette. Elisa Doucette said: How old are you now? And do people hold it against you? http://bit.ly/1yhOoM (via @sameve ) [...]

By: sameve

sameve — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:04:27 +0000

Akhila: I'm actually the opposite of you, I turned 21 at the beginning of my junior year in college. So, I've always been one of the oldest ones in my grade. It's interesting that most of the ageism you've faced is assuming something positive about you, and yet it still bothers you. This is exactly what I mean about generalizations. Even if we're generalizing about something seemingly positive, that doesn't make it okay. Thanks for your comments!

By: sameve

sameve — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:00:59 +0000

Elisa: Thanks for sharing your experience. I know what you mean. Older women do feel that they should impart wisdom on us because they've “been through it.” I think it's usually well-intentioned, and you're right that they forget that other people likely have different circumstances than they did. Maybe if the delivery of this wisdom was better, and they didn't just share their own experience, but a general lesson that we could apply to our own lives. I guess when we become “older women” we'll just have to break the cycle

By: Akhila

Akhila — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:14:24 +0000

You know, I'm very young for my age. I'm a senior in college and I'm 20, and I'll only be turning 21 in March. I've always been young for my grade and so if anything, I've always been given the benefit of doubt. People always assume I'm smart because I'm young, but honestly this somewhat bothers me too. I'd like to just be considered equally to other members of the 2010 class, not treated specially because I'm younger.

I also don't really recognize discrimination. Strange but even though I probably have encountered discrimination, I never really notice it, nor do I care much. Strange, I know.

By: Elisa Doucette

Elisa Doucette — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:06:21 +0000

I find that I'm discriminated against more because of my age than the fact that I'm a girl. Wanna know what sucks too? Some of the worst offenders are older women who seem to be more than free to “share” (ie tell) me how things are. I think people really do want to help, to impart their brilliant wisdom since they have “been through it” before.

Course it's hard to impart wisdom onto someone else cause they live a life of TOTALLY different consequences, circumstances and realities. Easy to forget that though…

By: sameve

sameve — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:36:11 +0000

Ryan, Ryan, Ryan! Watch it with your sexist comments! Haha, fortunately, I know you're only kidding It is true though that women react differently than men, although, like age, I don't think it's as relevant in this situation as her personality and past experience.

Thanks for your compliments on my recent posts. The roller coaster of life has been my inspiration recently, and I decided I would try for shorter posts if it meant I could still find time for writing. I'm glad you're enjoying them!

By: sameve

sameve — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:33:17 +0000

Kelsey: Often comments or reactions like that are made without thinking. It's not meant to offend, but it still does. I think we all need to look at things more positively. You may have never used a typewriter, but being a member of Gen Y probably makes you much more computer savvy than your older co-workers. So, instead of laughing at you, your CEO should be excited about what you can bring to the company. Maybe you're right and some ageism is unavoidable, but I hope we can get to a point where there's less of it in this world. Thanks so much for commenting!