ABSTRACT
"Aging" is a largely biologically determined phenomenon, but like any other human experience, it takes place within a social world. It is interpreted from the perspective of that social world in regard to its meaning, value, and significance. "Old age" is a socially constructed category, depicting, in the West, a late "stage" in the life cycle. There are a variety of ways to go about discerning contemporary cultural views of aging and old age. One way is to investigate images and assumptions available through the media, including films, newspapers and magazines, radio, television, and commercial ads. While acknowledging that physical aging brings about a narrowing of life in some respects, most study participants also identify concomitant positive changes in their inner experience. Aging is a real process, which takes place differently in each individual. Ageism, on the other hand, is a constriction that rearranges power relationships, just like any other kind of discrimination or prejudice.
