What culture/society has respect for their aging population? I was on a bus and watched as all the young?

Question

people sat and ignored the fact that there were older people being tossed about on the bus and none of them offered their seats to them. They were oblivious-on their cell phones, i-pods, etc. and it was as if the very thought of being courteous, considerate, or respectful wasn't even a part of their make-up. It really saddened me deeply that this society is so warped in what matters and what children are taught/not taught. So, where are aging populations treated with respect and it would be a given that a bus seat would be offered, by all the kids, without a blink of an eye?

Answer 1

I was taught as a child to say yes mam,or no mam or yes and/or no sir.I was taught to hold a door for the seniors and females also.To give them a seat is a personal act of chilvery.
I hope my son remembers these things as I have taught him.

Answer 2

A bus seat seems simple enough, but let us broaden this a bit. Why is it that the youth have a disregard for others in general. They do indeed seem extremely self absorbed. Maybe it is a sign that our youth does not really know themselves, and as result they are drowning in their own apathy of life.
The ones you mentioned on the bus are just existing. It sounds as if their spirituality has dwindled and an altar for an I-pod has emerged in it's place. It seems that the American culture leans toward a hedonistic view of life.
They assume that everyone will be looking after themselves so why look after others?

Answer 3

It is very sad that young people have little or no respect for the elderly. There was a time
when they would offer their seat to someone older than them. It's a me first generation.
I agree with you 100%. Parents need to teach their children that others should come first.
If you see someone who needs help or a seat, be the first to offer help. It will make you feel really good inside. It's catching. Maybe someone else will follow the lead. Who knows
what will happen if we put others first.

Answer 4

I agree, it saddens me also to think that kids are so ego and self centered to the point that other people have to suffer for it. I witness many times in public transportation where young people won't give up their seat for a person who's old and limping with a cane. Parents and educators need to teach our kids how to become better citizens in the world and to be morally and ethically aware of whats going on. For me the question isn't what culture/society has respect for their aging population, but HOW can we get our society to have more respect for our aging population.

Answer 5

I think its our parents who failed to teach the respect there parents taught them. That 60's era rebellion. I am also Native American and it is one of our traditions we hold high. Respect for the Elders. In today's society even we are losing respect for those special people who link us to our past. Maybe drug use, alcoholism, just society in general. The media has a big influence on society. Look at all you see around you young and thin is in. gotta be young. Hardly ever see old people unless its in them life insurance, life alert, hoveraround, etc. commercials. It didn't happen over night either. Since WWII American Society slowly became what it is today. But that's another broad subject. The in my view Fall of Society.

Answer 6

Something similar happened to me once. I was on a bus sitting as an elderly woman got on and was standing next to a teen aged girl who had her back pack taking up the only available seat. I told her that there was a woman there who deserved that seat and paid for it, stating to her that her back pack didn't need a seat. She looked sheepish and took it from the seat as the woman thanked me. Although the girl tried to act as if she didn't know it was obvious that she did. It really made me irate to see her be so selfish when there was an elderly woman in need of a seat.

Answer 7

I'm currently reading "Healthy At 100" by John Robbins. There are three groups in different parts of the world with very healthy oldsters. In fact, many are 100 or older.

These locations are:
1) Abkhasia, just south of the Caucasus mountains and on the eastern border of the Black Sea
2) Vilcabamba, in southern Ecuador
3) Hunza Valley in north Pakistan
4) Okinawa Islands

In all of these areas, not only do seniors live a very long life, but they are very fit and healthy. Diseases that Western seniors consider a normal part of aging (arthritis, sensory problems, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and the like).are almost unheard of in these regions.

They have a few things in common:
1) they eat a vegetarian diet
2) they get lots, and I mean LOTS of exercise
3) their cultures REVERE aging
4) they are surrounded by LOVE always, never left to live alone

Unlike the West, in these cultures, aging is considered to be a beautiful thing, something to aspire for. Seniors are well-respected, and they don't retire because they're too healthy to retire. Thus, they continue being contributing members of society. They are not ignored, not put in nursing homes, and are very well respected and loved for their wisdom. Here in the West, we tend to shy away from seniors, believing that they are no longer relevant members of society. Western society is youth-oriented, whereas in these societies, all ages participate in family and community life.

I wanna grow old like this!

P.S. Oh, and unlike here in the West, where seniors are viewed as asexual, seniors in these regions of the world continue enjoying sex until the end of their lives. ;^) WOOHOO!!!

Answer 8

so timely considering a CNN's recent news report http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/02/27/self.centered.students.ap/index.html

Is it a byproduct of individualism that emphasizes individual rights and choices without responsibility?

hey, don't want to youth-bash (it's so easy :) ....however, probably at one time or another and to some degree all of us have been the same way...WE LIVE AND LEARNED! With that being said, there may be hope for some of the youth.

Answer 9

The grandparents (baby boomers) raised spoiled, self-centered little egos. who in turn have perpetuated the species... as the boomers age it is going to be up to them with their still high voting power, to bring the ego's down several notches... if they do not... what is left of America will deteriorate into nothing... with out morals this nation is doomed.

Answer 10

Most places now days the youth are pretty rude and self centered. It is not just the usa that has a corner on it. They have their ipods here in Mexico too.