Once a man, twice a child'
By samson1
@samson1 (738)
Jamaica
October 16, 2012 4:30pm CST
In my opinion and, depending on the lifestyle one lives and if one lives to a ripe old age, every human may experience going through three stages in life; of being once a man and twice a child. in my estimation, let me say that theses stages are a follows:!1) First level dependent living,(2)Independent living, and then,(3) Second level dependent living.
Given that humans are living longer- which is mainly due to advanced in medicine- more persons are experiencing the second level of dependent living, than expected. Many older persons (60 yrs and older), as well as the disabled and sick are forced to endure the harsh realities of living and have to resort to becoming dependent on their offsprings or the society/government for assistance.
Except for the disabled, do you think you are prepared (and able, based on your endowments) to live out the remainder of your lives without being dependent on your offspring or government old age assistance? What would you like to do in order to preserve your independence for as long as you live?
2 responses
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
17 Oct 12
I don't think that living beyond 60 years old could make these people independent most especially for those who live in the rural areas. First of all, once you reach 60 years old, some of your senses start to diminish like your sight and hearing. Our bones become fragile and brittle. And we start to become more irritable due to the different ailments that we have due to age. We can not rely on the decisions that they make because since their bodies are weak, but they think they can still do the things that they used to, more problems arise.
@Sukeena1961 (343)
• United States
16 Oct 12
I have always heard that you are once and adult and twice a child. I have also heard the older generation say that a certain person is going through their second childhood. I agree with your explanation on the second childhood, but I also think the second childhood comes in when the aging individual starts to loose some of their mental capacity. In their mind they regress back to their childhood. My grandmother did, she was 85 and she started sleeping with a baby doll. She would talk to that doll and stroke it's hair like it was a baby. She was bedridden and had to be taken care of, but the thing is she wasn't sick. The doctor said she was in good health, but her body was just tired and worn out. I know a lot of people in their 70's and 80's that are still very active and in good health with a clear sharp mind. I know others that are no where near that age that are having to have a care giver. None of us can know that with any certainty. None of us know whether or not we'll be able to live on our own without being dependent on someone else. There's really no way to prepare ourselves for that because none of us know what the future holds. We could get in a serious car accident. We could have a stroke or heart attack. I hope that I will be able to live independent of any type of assistance, but that none of us can know for sure.
