Not a Problem

Various definitions of “gerontology” mention “the study of aging and older adults” and “the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of human development.” But some sources can’t help adding their own stereotyped, negative assumptions.

Oxford Dictionary, for example, claims that gerontology addresses “the particular problems of old people.” And NIH includes “the processes and problems of aging.”

Word alert: “Gerontology” was coined in 1903 from the Greek for “old man” (though we’d say “old person”) and that handy suffix for “study.” There’s nothing about problems there.

In fact, the biggest “problem of aging” is best summed up in this word: Ageism.

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