Age is a wisdom, not a free pass: Breaking stereotypes of elder’s authority
Hello readers! Today I will discuss something different usually people avoid talking about that. Yeah, we’re going to discuss the topic of breaking stereotypes of elder’s authority. There is a trend in our society that being an elder means that they have the authority to do anything whether it’s right or wrong or maybe their age grants them a pass to say or do whatever they want. Well, here I’m bringing light on this topic that age should be celebrated as wisdom not as a tool for authority.
The myth about being an elder means always right
First of all, I’ll say here I’m not going to disgrace anyone just sharing the opinion and mindset of the people and we should understand this misconception. Sharing an opinion or idea doesn’t mean that we are humiliating anyone. It’s just a way to express our thoughts. However, respect and understanding is the key to a conversation. So here we go!
So we often hear this from people, Respect your elders, they know better. Yeah, we all agree that maybe they know better because they have more experience compared to us or they have seen life closer than us but it’s not necessary that their experience is the same as ours. In this era the trends have changed, the technology has changed and things are not as same as they were in their era.
We should respect our elders but on the other hand, there is a difference between respect and wisdom and yes wisdom isn’t guaranteed with age. Surely with no doubt life will teach valuable lessons but it doesn’t mean that it bestows a universal knowledge certificate upon every elder person. We should understand that not every elderly person possesses accurate knowledge of all matters.
Dealing with controlling elders
When we talk about controlling elders or when it comes to your own family member i.e. mother, father, uncle, aunt, mother-in-law, father-in-law anyone it could be then things get tricky. Sometimes their good intentions turn into a bit too much interference. Maintaining a balance between respecting their wisdom and having some personal space is crucial. That’s why we should encourage open communication and setting healthy boundaries. All the family members work best when everyone has a right to say, and make choices based on their own needs and experiences
A two-way street
One of the finest things about life is that it’s an unstoppable journey, a journey of learning, a journey to find new opportunities or a journey to discover, grow, and expand new perspectives. Wisdom came through by doing different experiences or facing challenges, celebrating success, and also facing failures as well. We should open-mindedly accept everything
Let’s suppose this young generation can teach their elders about all the latest technology or give knowledge about different gadgets and apps and in return, the older generation gives valuable insights about life. Basically, it’s a two-way street, and understand that wisdom is not confined to a specific group we should break these stereotypes and accept the reality of life.
Being an elder doesn’t mean always authoritative
Let’s be practical and understand that elders are human too so they can make mistakes, they can make the wrong decision or sometimes they become biased on different topics and sometimes they believe in outdated remedies. Being elders means they deserve respect or we should respect everyone young or old but also understand that the elders are also answerable if they have done something wrong.
In this modern era where we can talk about anything, then we should understand that the elders also be right or wrong or questionable. Being elder doesn’t mean that they let their ego get in the way but should try to sort out things in a polite way. As a generation, we should encourage open dialogue, critical thinking, and disagreements in a respectful way. No one has a right to use their age as a shield against others.
The importance of mutual respect
Respecting the elders is mandatory without any second thoughts but respect goes both ways. As we always listen Give respect take respect it is reciprocal to each other. Elders should understand the mindset and perspective of the younger generation and in the same way, the younger generation honor the wisdom and experience of elders.
Mutual respect can build a healthy relationship in a society, break the stereotypes thinking, and encourage us to treat each other as individuals rather than taking advantage of the age.
Conclusion
So on the ending note hope we all understand that age is wisdom, not a free pass to being authoritative always. We should respect our elders for the knowledge and experience they have gained but we also understand that wisdom is not guaranteed with age. You can earn wisdom through a lifetime of experiences and have the guts to learn from every moment of your life
Let’s all break these stereotypes of being authoritative always and promote open-mindedness across generations and create a world where age is not used as a tool for showing authority but on the other hand age is used for wisdom. While doing so we build understanding among each other and enrich our society and our lives as a whole.
