Old age phobia

PRASUN SINGH

Why don’t people like the idea of ageing or getting old? The main reason, in my view, is the fear of looking ugly, getting physically frail and, most importantly, the prospective mistreatment meted out by their offsprings in this stage. These days this fear has frightened people to such an extent that they go to any limit to at least appear young. Had it been possible to freeze youth, I am sure everyone would go for it with their eyes closed.

It is common in our country and outside as well to see senior citizens being discarded by their kin in their homes. They are not given care and the respect they deserve for building the foundation of their family all their lives. This is a terrible situation for those who bear the torture and to those who are yet to see old age, for they fear similar treatment at this age.

As human beings try their utmost to avert every possible challenges and hindrances from the “old age phobia” they have been trying every means, though futile, to keep old age at bay. For example, females specially go for cosmetic surgery, botox injection and what not to avoid wrinkles, the primary visible sign of ageing. Sometimes they even lie to people about their age.

Nature has blessed us with one life that starts from childhood and ends at old age. The latter is the phase where one cherishes all his/her achievements, losses and so on. It is the responsibility of the succeeding generations to give care and respect to the members who are old aged so that they can take their life to be a journey with a happy ending. However, the reality now has turned grotesque. The precious gift, life, has proved to be a curse to hundreds of thousands of the senior citizens.Those who forget their parents’ sacrifices and immense love to bring them to the privileged position, should see that their ill treatments of parents will backfire. They too will have to go through the same phase one day in their lives. At that time, they might have to face similar treatment, because they have shown their children the wrong way to deal with their aged parents.

As you sow so you reap, therefore, one should set a family environment where old members are given care and respect and made to feel that their life has been worthwhile, and they can bid farewell to this world with smiles and a contended heart. If one cannot be with the old aged all day at least he can spend some time listening to his/her highs and lows and speak politely with him/her. If this happens, I am sure very few will go for cosmetic surgery. Instead they would love to flaunt their natural age and all its essence—wrinkles too.