What’s All the Fuss About “Older Women?’’

Barbara Peterson Sinclair, MN, RNC, OGNP, FAAN,

is editor of AWHONN Lifelines and acting dean of the School of Health at

California State University, Dominquez Hills, CA, and

director of the Institute of Nursing.

he concept of the older woman as a granny in a rocking chair, wrapped in a shawl, doesn’t fit anymore. In fact, it never was an accurate picture, T but rather, a misleading stereotype. Women of today are letting everyone

know that there’s life after 50 and 60 and even older. A couple of psychologists in the San Francisco Bay area conducted a study and they surveyed college-edu- cated women, who reported that they were a t their best in their 50s and older. These women considered themselves sufficiently mature to make difficult deci- sions wisely and to meet challenges directly. They were financially secure. They felt healthy and physically fit. They had more time to do what they wanted because they didn’t have the same number or depth of responsibilities. Granted, this group of women had been privileged to attend a prestigious women’s col- lege; however, more and more women are addressing the aging issue.

This is true for me, because I’ve joined the older ranks (actually some years ago) as have many of my friends and colleagues. We all agree that menopause was a welcomed change, and that having children leave home for college or work was not dreaded, but provided a means to provide more time and space, and shed many maternal responsibilities. Compared to how they felt in their younger years, older women now report greater interest in social and political affairs, find friendships that are more important and satisfying, and can tap into the joy that comes from just living.

Based primarily on the work of Sigmund Freud, it was once assumed that women are at their best when they’re most attractive and most fertile-during late adolescence and early adulthood. His perspective fostered the beliefs that focusing on personal appearance helped women cope with anxieties, and that motherhood was the pinnacle of fulfillment. It was believed that middle age was ushered in by depression because of menopause and compounded by the loneliness and loss of purpose arising from the empty next syndrome.

have found a variety of reasons to doubt these assumptions and studies have shown that in many instances, these perspectives aren’t true. Lots of women report that they are mentally and physically healthier in their 50s than they were in their 30s and 40s, and are able to focus their lives in a meaningful and satisfying way. True, not every woman can have this sense of freedom or con- trol. Many women may be part of the “sandwich generation” who need to financially and emotionally support both children and parents. Caring for frail elders or children, who are having difficulty making it on their own, creates excessive responsibilities that usurp some of the benefits that age brings.

Because each woman’s experience is unique, there can be no set concept to which she must accede. It’s not fair to place a stereotypical standard on women as they age; we must support our sisters no matter the circumstance. But I want to share the fact that aging isn’t all that I had been led to believe. For you younger readers, please know that there are lots of good things ahead. For you older readers, please know that you really can embrace and enjoy life. In fact, I actually like myself more now than I did when I was 25! +

Wow-was he wrong! During the last 20 years, mental health professionals

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