There are a few criteria that people utilize in order to establish certain comfortable chronological standards. One of the biggest variables is the age factor. People tend to inquire a person’s age to determine whether you are acceptable or not. They have a range they are willing to socialize within. Fall out of that range and you automatically are perceived as an undesirable. Age expectations vary, too young and your credibility is questioned, too old and your philosophy falls on deaf ears. Even if you are cool, have good job, fun, professional, educated, etc once you mention your age, or people perceive your age, it’s like instant discrimination.
Society has told us to act your age when socializing or interacting with others. Age defying lotions have been around for centuries, plastic surgery is on the rise, scientists continue to introduce new anti-aging products, and pills. It would appear we are obsessed with appearing youthful.
You can view it on dating sites, in people’s profile preferences, young people seem pre-occupied with knowing your age before engaging in any meaningful rapport. In the media we hear 40 is the new 20, cougars on the prowl, etc….. kind of funny ‘cause back in the day we called it robbing the cradle. There are those that feel age is just a number, others keep their true age a secret, they feel disclosing their age would alienate them on some level. A few people choose to distort their age in order to reap the perceived benefits associated with being young. I think on paper, people read your age and form an opinion quickly.
When we start out, most of us want to be at a certain point in our lives at a certain age. Women begin their relationship quest for Mr. Right now, as they age slightly Mr. RIGHT, THE ONE, SOUL MATE becomes the new destination. They are just not willing to settle for second fiddle. Pop out a few kids, get a divorce, live with someone for a few years and our priorities begin to change. As our looks begin to fade, we have a shift in preference. We are much more practical and realistic. Mr. Good enough is now in demand and soon after (for a select few, with years of neglect) Mr. You’ll do, may even be considered. In an ideal world, one would think we should judge a person based upon the content of their character and not be the age of their skin….Dr. King was so right. In reality, sad but true, age does matter.
