In a culture that seems obsessed with youth and ideals of beauty, how we feel about our aging process can make all the difference in the world for our well-being. This is the alarming reality lying at the core of a quite recent groundbreaking study published in 2023 in the journal Psychology and Aging.
In a survey conducted by an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, Julie Ober Allen, and her team, what was striking was that nearly 59% of American respondents between 50 to 80 years of age felt they looked younger than their friends. This in itself was associated with more positive experiences regarding aging, such as being asked for advice and wisdom, and a greater sense of purpose.
On the other hand, those who felt that they looked older than their chronological age fought off negative interactions, highlighting contagious and cancerous ageism, stereotyping, prejudices, and discrimination based on age, which characterizes American society. As Allen so eloquently stated, “Ageism is a form of discrimination that often manifests as micro-aggressions. Telling an older person that they look good for their age or assuming they can’t operate technology can actually cause them to have a fight-or-flight stress response.”
The study also spoke about the complex relationship between physical appearance and age perception, stereotypical connections of old age that people have, such as grey hair or wrinkles, which would lead to higher discrimination against them. This tendency was born out of an attitude in America with a strong passion for youth and followers of very sharp beauty ideals.
“We asked people how much time and energy they spend trying to look younger. It’s a tricky question because it tends to activate some of those stereotypes. 35% of participants told us they invested time and money in these endeavors.” Allen said. 35% of participants told researchers they invested time and money in these endeavors. These people, however, did report both more positive and negative aging experiences, which suggests a complex interplay between appearance and societal perceptions.
Allen’s work dispelled the myth that women are more affected by ageism than men. According to him, “Stereotypically, people talk about women being more affected by ageism; the math does not support that. The lived experience for men is likely different than it is for women, but they’re still affected.”
One strong quote from the study perhaps sums it up best: “Ageism, unlike racism, sexism or homophobia, is frequently overlooked and more accepted in society. Her research shows that both men and women report comparable exposure to ageism and that older adults across all racial and ethnic backgrounds and in all parts of the U.S. are affected.” In general, her findings showed men and women tend to report equal exposure to ageism. Older adults were impacted across all racial and ethnic backgrounds and all parts of the U.S.
While the prospect of remaining youthful-looking is a tantalizing one, Allen’s discoveries put the development of healthy habits first and foremost. “We should be emphasizing healthy behaviors, many of which have implications for aging and appearance. If you exercise, maintain a healthy weight and don’t smoke, you will look younger as you age. Appearance essentially becomes a secondary outcome.”