response discussion question

 Aging is the process of cognitive and physical change a person’s undergoes as they grow older. During late adulthood, which Berk (2014) categorizes as starting at the age of 65, is defined as being a period when people “adjust to retirement, begin to show a decline in physical health and strength, and often death of a spouse” (Berk, 2014, p.8). For this week’s discussion we are reflecting on aging cross-culturally. The two countries that I will be comparing are China and The United States. In Asian cultures, which are more collectivistic (North & Fiske, 2015), the elderly are viewed as having wisdom, and life experience and therefore are highly revered and respected (Films Media Group, 1998) In the United States, which is a more individualistic (North & Fiske, 2015), aging is viewed differently. Emphasis is placed on youth and beauty, and less on aging as aging is viewed as a time of “decline and infirmity” (Films Media Group, 1998). In the United States, we often see advertisements in magazines, on the web, social media, for ways to reverse the signs of aging. Invasive treatments such as plastic surgery and non-invasive treatments such as cool sculpting and facials are promoted all the time on television. It’s interesting how in one culture, being “old” is viewed as something good and should be highly respected whereas in the other it’s dreaded. Perhaps a look into lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, and the types of leisure activities one engages in, have to do with the way that aging is viewed in Asian cultures and Western cultures, specifically the United States. Though China was not mentioned in Berk’s (2014) analysis of life expectancy, it’s no wonder that Japan, another Asian country, takes the lead in average life expectancy, when compared to the United States which ranked the lowest in Figure 17.1.