Caring for those who care for us (in defense of the elderly)

Global life expectancy has increased by almost 40 years in the last century alone. It stands at around 73 years on average worldwide, and between 81 and 82 years in the European context. At the other extreme, we find sub-Saharan African countries where it is difficult to surpass 55. Life expectancy is, therefore, a reflection of inequalities on a global scale, but also an indicator of welfare policies. Because even in the developed world, not everything is set in stone. It is assumed that, now a quarter of the way through the 21st century, things should continue to evolve positively, but the United States, where life expectancy had already stagnated and is now beginning to decline, is a reminder that we cannot take anything for granted.

Despite the United States, which should be taking a hard look at this and many other things, the fact is that societies in general, and Western societies in particular, are aging, and this is a symptom of social progress: we live longer and, in general, better. However, the path here is not without contradictions and paradoxes.

The first is that of a consumer society where appearance is valued as much as, or even more than, being or having. And one of the hallmarks of success is maintaining a youthful image, even as we approach the life expectancy of our ancestors. Fashion, film, and social media are, in part, the means by which a culture and social habits have been created that legitimize the constant search for the fountain of youth, and an entire surgical industry has been built around the same objective: if you don't like the shape or the real age of your body, you can alter its appearance by going under the knife. Of course, there are also those who resist, with the heroism of those swimming against the current. For example, the not-so-old women who, in recent years, have decided to embrace their gray hair, reminding us that beauty standards are a patriarchal and capitalist imposition.

In a world that idealizes beautiful, robust youth—and this was also a mantra of fascism a century ago!—we shouldn't be surprised by the proliferation of discrimination against older people in recent years, also called 'ageism'. This ageism has long been noticeable in things like discrimination in access to employment for those over 45; or in paternalism and condescension in access to services like healthcare, where the complaints of older people are sometimes dismissed… And in advertising that once again idealizes youth and reproduces stereotypes of older people as frail and dependent.

Of course, there are frail and dependent older people, but they are the minority. Many, despite having lived working lives that some of us today wouldn't endure, maintain a sufficiently intense level of activity until the very end of their lives, far more than would have been imaginable just a few decades ago. Society cares for those in need through a system of care homes that is far from ideal, a system that, during the pandemic, revealed many errors and shortcomings that still await review. In reality, most godparents are caregivers, rather than being cared for. Just walk past any school entrance or exit: they make up the majority of the public. This is truly commendable, especially considering that in the Balearic Islands, nearly 40% of elderly people do not receive a monthly pension of 785 euros, placing them below the poverty line. Since the 2008 crisis, many of them have also been providing food for their children and grandchildren. Returning to ageism, notice that in recent times messages bordering on hate speech against the elderly have begun to spread. These messages originate from the financial world, where it is argued that perhaps people are living too long, or that pensions will not be payable in the future. Financial gurus and influencers They blame the generation boomer —those born after the war— from the precariousness of today's youth, as if all the boomers Whether it was Amancio Ortega or Miquel Fluxà.

The underlying issue is that banks and investment funds want to take over the public pension system. They do this by appealing to the well-being and future of older people, while closing branches in neighborhoods and towns despite making exorbitant profits. Or they offer to improve their pensions if, in exchange, they hand over their homes, their life savings. The banks always win, they say.

Speculators and opportunists come in all ages. What I do know is that neither group is from my social class. And it's high time to stop these narratives at their root, no matter where they originate, and to take care of those who have taken care of us and continue to do so. Because if we have social rights today, however compromised they may be, it's thanks to the generation boomer And to those who came before them. Again, thank you for taking care of us.