CAPS 1 -- Geoffrey Gross

Age Identity

Identity, the concept of who we are and who others think we are, is important when considering how to communicate between cultures. There is a subcategory of identity were cultural conventions are proposed relating to how we should act, look, and behave according to our age (Martin & Nakayama, 2009). This subcategory is Age Identity and will be the topic of this writing.

Figure 1 Means and standard deviations of aging perceptions 

at the culture level (controlling for unequal gender distribution).

Every culture has a different history and with its history, a different set of values and beliefs they hold dear. Despite having different events leading to their creation, many cultures share common perceptions when it comes to age.  In a research article titled, “Perceptions of Aging Across 26 Cultures and Their Culture-Level Associates,” by Löckenhoff et al., 3,435 college participants answered questionnaires on common perceptions of aging. It was found that there was much agreement between cultures about certain perceptions of aging. In Figure 1, it can be seen that physical attractiveness decreases with age and knowledge or wisdom increase with age. In my opinion, these results are also representative of my own perceptions of aging. With the knowledge that even though cultures are different, perceptions of aging can be the same, let us consider an instance where age identity leads to conflict between the young and the old.

A classic American tale of conflict between young and old is that of mother and daughter. Having experienced this myself, I would say that age identity is partly to blame for the various “battles” fought between my twin sister and our mother. As a reminder, age identity relates to how culture defines the actions, behavior, and looks at a certain age. If you ask me, an American teenage girl is all about acting, behaving, and looking as she pleases. However, in today’s society, the young woman is constrained by a set of rules and boundaries that conflict with how she perceives herself. It may be for this reason that conflict between a mother and a daughter occurs. The younger woman may feel jealous of the liberties possessed by the older woman. From the young girl’s perspective, she is an adult, having gone through the physiological changes of puberty should entitle her to the freedoms that are reserved for the older woman. However, through no mal intent, the older woman in all her wisdom and knowledge, serves as a barrier between the young girl and the girl’s attempts at independence. This conflict is described here as an American conflict, although it is sure to play out around the globe. Unless, you are part of a culture that has acknowledged that the female body develops earlier than the male; cultures like those in some Hispanic countries have set a specific age where the young woman becomes an older woman—for a comical take on age identity conflict and quinceaneras click here. With such an occasion to look forward to, the young girls should have less grievances relating to their age identity.

Whether you ask college students about their perceptions of aging or you experience the fifteenth birthday of a young woman, age identity is always part of the day to day life on this planet. In the future, I would suggest carefully considering the cultural conventions you are aware of regarding your age. Even more important, consider the conventions that play a part when communicating to an older, or younger, individual. With such knowledge, a graduating senior, like myself, might be able to convince an interviewer of their job potential.

References:

Löckenhoff, C. E. (2009). Perceptions of Aging Across 26 Cultures and Their Culture-Level Associates. Psychology & Aging, 941-954.

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2009). Intercultural Communication in Contexts. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.