Poll: Is Age 68 'Elderly'?
A California woman's editorial is making waves
Earlier this week, a 69-year-old California woman wrote in to her local paper after seeing an item about a 68-year-old woman struck and killed by a car.
"I am writing to protest your usage of the word 'elderly'," she wrote, "in describing a 68-year-old woman who was sadly killed while crossing Texas Street."
She went on to say:
"It is a purely subjective opinion and conjures up an impression that is perhaps totally unwarranted. Just stating her age would have been sufficient without editorializing.Perhaps the fact that I am celebrating my 70th birthday this month has made me a bit sensitive, but I take umbrage with your cavalier usage of the word as I do not feel or act 'elderly.'"
What do you think? Is using the word "elderly" to describe someone 68 years old perfectly harmless or is it perhaps something to think twice about? Answer via our Twitter poll, below.
(Not on Twitter? Feel free leave a comment in our comments section. We do encourage you to join the conversation on Twitter, though, where you can find us at @NextAvenue. After all, the fastest-growing group joining social media are older Americans, and it's no surprise why.)
