What is the current attitude of Westererns toward death?

Question

Im writing an essay on metaphysical poets and I am having trouble formulating a sentence or two that summarises the attitude towards death in present day society. I would like to mention the notion of people challenging death eg. when cars drag race one another and narrowly avoid death. I would also like to incorporate the idea that life expectancy is almost three times what it was in late 16th century/early 17th century and as a result, people seem less concerned about death.

Any help be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Challenging death is a game for the young. Young men in their teens and twenties still have this notion that it can't happen to them and they push the envelope. To a lesser extent, young girls do it. By the time people reach 30, they know that life is fragile and they take fewer risks.

Some people fear death, but the greater majority see it as something that will come with time. A few know that death is not an end, but a change. I'm in that category.

Answer 2

In modern Western society, death is viewed as something that must be avoided or delayed at all costs. Curious since it is inevitable, occurs with rather startling frequency, and is for many people, as much a relief from the burden of living as it was to people in the 17th century with it's plagues, wars and horrid living conditions

I suspect that the Christian myth of heaven and hell that have been drummed into us since early age in North America has a lot to do with it.

On the one hand, we are told that God smiles on those who follow the path of righteousness . If we really believed this notion, we would be impatient for death

On the other hand, Christianity has enough rules in it to almost guarantee that the path is hard to stay on. We fear death because what we really believe is that we are at constant risk of going to hell.

We are a society that spends inordinate amounts of money trying to cheat the grim reaper. Our hospitals are full of the old and sick who are going to die, regardless of treatment, but who we insist on keeping alive for a few more painful days.

Answer 3

Death is inevitable and unavoidable. Someday, we will all experience it, like it or not.

Just like greedy governments and taxes.

Answer 4

when the reaper comes calling i will be ready

Answer 5

'Keep living lies from overcoming these last precious hours,'" says Bird.
http://www.wholefamily.com/about60plus/death_and_dying/caregiving.html