Attitudes toward Aging in a Southwestern Sample: Effects of Ethnicity, Age, and Sex

Abstract

The present study, conducted in a Southwestern community, surveyed 257 adults varying in ethnicity, age, and sex on several measures of attitudes toward aging. Contrary to most previous research, the attitudes were positive in all groups, with persons aged sixty years or older giving the most positive responses on a number of items. American Indians and Hispanics were more likely to enjoy spending time with old people than Anglo-Americans, who, in turn, were more likely to disagree that people do not do much when they are old. Men were more likely to look forward to growing old than women and wished to reach an older age. In general, subjects from all ethnic, sex, and age groups reported being satisfied with their lives. The results suggest that the stereotypes of the elderly today are no longer primarily negative.