Hilal Ahmad Bhat
We often hear as Prime old age stage described as “second childhood”. Is it true to say and think? Old age as a second childhood is commonly used to highlight and people talk about it. In old age . People often become dependent on others for care, much like children. This dependency is not about innocence or playfulness, but rather about the need for .Human life starts out as dependent and through aging ends-up as dependent. Everyone would love to spend time with children, enjoying themselves. But the same attitude is not there while handling the elderly. This is normal perception in handling same kind of people in two different ways. There is need to emphasize and understand the dependency and emotional needs of a person in both these life stages.
Many of the elders behave like child, for instance, they may pick up a cordless phone/mobile and put it in the freezer after use, sometimes they attempt to walk somewhere but forget where they are walking to. They put things in odd places. Lot of elderly become so aggressive and they get violent, and many more. Medically this type of behaviour is called as adult regression. Lot of elderly people experiences this because it is in fact a stage of Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. People who have dementia may have drastic changes in personality. They might become irritable, suspicious or fearful, or display behaviour as a child would do. This will be a very rough journey for the younger generation who are looking after the elderly, but it needs to be understood and accepted that the elderly cannot help it. An adult (0ld person) who resembles a child needs to be cared and looked after like a child. Caring the elderly is our duty and that needs to be done with love and patience to understand their needs. They are depending on us as we depended on them when we were babies.Do things for them and let them think they did it!!! Hence let us understand the reality of human life and support the elders in right spirit and without them there is nothing WE today.
The Question Now Is, Does Childhood Determine Old Age? When a child is born it does not know anything. When an person comes to be old, he/she again forget everything and behave like a child.. This is the way in which old age is similar to childhood… Explanations for this stereotype were linked to the humoral theory of aging, the perceived and actual dependency of older people for care, dementia, and other ties between childhood and old age. The second childhood was also interpreted as a stage of life where the lifecycle returned to its beginning. Throughout history, scholars and writers have characterized old age as a period of a second childhood and childish behavior. The second childhood stereotype has endured and finds expression in numerous works of literature, in a variety of historical contexts including ancient through contemporary times.
“Childhood and old age share surprising parallels, including a slower pace of life centered on relationships and a shared sense of wonder. Despite these positive traits, both stages often grapple with societal marginalization and age-based stereotypes.”
Explanations for this stereotype were linked to the humoral theory of aging, the perceived and actual dependency of older people for care, dementia, and other ties between childhood and old age. The second childhood was also interpreted as a stage of life where the lifecycle returned to its beginning. The stereotype, while predominantly viewed as negative, may also be viewed in a positive light and underscores the duality and ambiguity that characterized the way older people have been viewed in Western history. The stereotype, while enduring, may have been more prevalent during certain periods, such as those periods when older people were devalued. Cultural representations and more importantly interpretations have also varied within historical context.
We Must Realize, Believe: Old age and childhood are two distinct stages of life, yet they share several similarities. Both periods are characterized by a sense of dependency, vulnerability, and the need for care. Additionally, individuals in both stages often experience a slower pace of life, with a focus on simple pleasures and relationships. Both old age and childhood can also involve a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, albeit in different contexts. Furthermore, both stages may face societal challenges, such as stereotypes and marginalization.
Both stages of life treated as same and innocent
Childhood and old age are sides of the same coin
Let us truly be innocent and true in both stages
Let all of us be good humans all the life.
(The author is a teacher at Govt High School Brakpora Anantnag. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
