How does this person think that are older people treated in their country/culture of origin?
Introduction
The elderly Folks in our community are a source of blessing. When a person has lived long enough to see his prime, then he has lived a good life. Currently, life expectancy is gradually deteriorating, with an average person hardly living to see their forties. Nonetheless, in countries mostly in the Middle East, the number of elderlies is far much higher than in America. This is because, in countries such as Japan, the elderly are taken care of, and that’s why they live so long. In his paper, I will record the thoughts of a 55-year-old Japanese man living in America. I will interview him about his thoughts on the treatment of older people in his culture and what are his views regarding the treatment of older people in the mainstream American Culture. Additionally, I will discuss the similarities and differences in aging in Japan and America, respectively.
How does this person think that are older people treated in their country/culture of origin?
My interviewee had a lot of positive things to say concerning the form of treatment that is given to the elderly in his culture. As he describes it, the elderly folks are usually cared for in Japanese Culture. A lot of respect is bestowed upon the elderly by the younger ones. Taking care of the elderly is as much a responsibility of the community as it is of the family. My interviewee further continued to state that in Japanese Culture, the elderly usually stay with their families when they get old.
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The areas of aging in Japanese culture that were of importance, according to my interviewee includes, health, family, living conditions, and the government. One of the areas of aging that my interviewee explained was in terms of collectivism. Aging in this area and aspect was seen as a collective responsibility of both the community and the family. What was strikingly attractive is the fact that the government in the country of Japan even has a system for taking care of the elderly. The elderly can be assessed in terms of their needs to determine what they may lack. The government then goes forth to supply the elderly with their basic needs in a bid to improve their welfare.
Health is also an area of concern for the elderly in Japan. The interviewee clarified that In Japan, they, for the most part, esteem the health and treat the elderly uniquely. In contrast to youngsters as generalizations, for example, forgetfulness and mental lack create more worry for more established grown-ups that regularly convert into conduct by helping them more.
Another area of aging in Japan, as explained by the interviewer, is the Living arrangement. In Japan, the elderly Live in the same promises as their children. This helps to enhance the interconnectedness of the family bonds. Japan culture puts more spotlight on family-directed care to the elderly. The Japanese culture esteems the elderly. Regard and estimation of the more seasoned populace are profoundly established in families and their kids. Numerous Japanese families have various ages living in one home. This course of action is accepted to be one of the few reasons the elderly in Japan live longer than some other people.
How does this person think that are older people treated in mainstream culture?
My interviewee raised a lot of concerns about how the elderly are treated in mainstream American Culture. From his personal experience, American Culture presents negating ideas on aging in areas of health Living conditions and even stigmatizations of the elderly.
Stigmatization is one of the areas in the America Culture that tends to affect older people. The American culture will, in general, ignore and even holds a predisposition towards the elderly. Mature age is a hazard factor for depression brought about by such preference. At the point when individuals are one-sided against the elderly and afterward become elderly themselves, their bias behavior turns internal, causing depression. The stereotypes that exist among Americans are mostly centered on the fact that the actions of the young are marched against those of the elderly. The elderly are seen as a burden.
Individualism is a single aspect and is of concern, especially for the aging population in America. The interviewee noted that most Americans view themselves as being independent, and the thought of an older person dragging them behind and depending on them makes them turn their backs against the elderly.
Generalizations of more established individuals are negative in America. Elderly are seen as a senior resident who is defenseless frequently desolate and sick, good old, subject to other people, poor mental and physical working. Once in a while, the job of more seasoned individuals passes on the completion of life. On the positive side, they are viewed as the person who has gathered the knowledge and deserving of regard.
In most cases, the individuals and family members feel frivolous about the old or overlook them on account of how they look and act. They regularly neglect to see misery among them or misdiagnosed it for Dementia or Amnesia. Also, individuals may frequently ignore or sum up more seasoned individuals’ sufferings, for example, continuous agony from joint pain as a typical piece of aging.
Unlike Japan, where the elderly can live on the same premises with their families and children, Americans tend to take their elderly to care homes. Care homes usually handle the needs of the old but not like a family member would. It’s with much regret that the man I was interviewing felt that it’s better to grow old in his own country than in America. He feared for the past in the country as they are currently living the thought of having to be ferried off to a care home with strangers was reason enough to want to go back to Japan.
Discuss similarities and differences to aging. Must include at least two professional journal references
The similarities that exist between aging In Japan and America are quite a few. In both Japan and America, some programs cater to the welfare and need of the elderly. America has incorporated aging healthcare practices and strategies in its health insurance, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Japan, on the other hand, also has Long-Term care Insurance (LTCI) that looks into the health needs of the elderly. Another similarity can be seen in terms of respecting the elderly. Both cultures accord high respect to their older folks as it shows a sign of respect.
The differences, on the other hand, outweigh the similarities. For Instance, in Japan, families live with their elderly, and most of the time, you can find even four generations living in the same apartment. On the other hand, Americans are somewhat individualistic. The elderly Mostly live in care homes and do not stay at home with Other Family members. Another difference that can be seen in terms of stigmatization is business among the elderly In America While. Japan lacks such biases and does not stigmatize the elderly.
In Japan, the elderly are praised and perceived for the shrewdness that they have accomplished for a mind-blowing duration venture. Three-generation households are typical in Japan; the elderly give help to more youthful guardians battling to adjust work, home life, and the worries of supporting a house. These multi-generational households work to fortify the social legacy that is conceived of such tightly knit family structures.
Even though these customs of the Japanese culture are still moderately safeguarded, they have begun to some degree offer approach to what most would think about a progressively present-day lifestyle. While the elderly are not excused so promptly in Japan as they are in America, there are a diminishing number of multi-generation households. The Japanese individuals are starting to take up a lifestyle that is comparative in specific perspectives to that of the Americans. In that more significance is being put on shallow thoughts of status and vanity; notwithstanding, there still stays an enormous social nearness that has been passed on from the beginning of time.
Reflects on what it was like and what you learned by doing this interview. Applies previous knowledge of caring interview
In conducting this interview, I was about to learn a couple of lessons that are crucial to me as a young person. In terms of interviewing, I was able to learn How to be a keen listener and take down notes along the process. One challenge that I faced though was that The Japanese man I was interviewing was not so eloquent in English, and therefore, I was faced with the problem of a language barrier. Nonetheless, I was able to overcome the challenge by giving the intervening time to explain what he meant, where I needed Clarity.
Regarding the topic of aging and the general thoughts and views between Japanese and American Culture, I was quite astonished by the differences. Nonetheless, I came to learn that the Japanese Culture accords most respect to their Elderly and cares for them. Thus, taking care of the elderly is a responsibility that is collective and communal. I, therefore, think there is room for improvement for Americans as their Culture needs to be able to shun away from stigmatization and stereotyping the elderly. Care homes for the elderly are the right place to keep the old, but Americans should take more initiative to ensure they spend more time with the elderly and visit them frequently even if they have tight schedules.
