There have been so many new and wonderful changes and improvements in our lives that often, it’s mind-boggling. For example, Amazon not only delivers the most inexpensive item the next day (with prime) and not only emails you when delivered, but provides a photo of the package at your front door. You gotta love it!

Unfortunately, not everything is “comin’ up roses” in all areas of life.

In many ways, our culture has declined to the point where nearly everything is considered acceptable and sometimes, desirable. Some things that exist today could not have been imagined in the recent past. Here are just a few examples, some more significant than others:

*Surgical gender change is good.

*Infanticide at birth is okay.

*It’s chic to wear jeans with holes in them.

*Cleavage and behinds are increasingly more revealing.

* Inappropriate language is common and acceptable and used by all.

*Civility is an archaic relic from the past.

*Tribal group-think is preferable to individual thought and common sense.

*Drug-induced altered states of consciousness are common and desirable.

One may agree or disagree with some or all of the above – it doesn’t matter. The changes exist and are accepted largely without judgment. I cite the changes to make a point, and the point is this:

In spite of all the cultural and often revolutionary changes, there is an outdated norm that remains untouched and is just as rock solid as ever: Acceptance that “old age” ALWAYS equals decline.

It is generally NOT accepted or believed that as people age, they CAN AND OFTEN DO CHANGE AND GROW IN NEW, YOUTHFUL WAYS that defy decline. But let’s not get crazy here; decline is profitable and props up and fuels the traditional old age leisure culture. In a perverse way, cultural decline of old people is an economic “benefit”.

Same Old Story

It’s the same old story about old age. At age 80-90 a woman is pretty much a leper. For many, especially women, it’s a horrible box to be in. Young people abhor old age and avoid or ignore old people. In general, old people are made fun of, often by themselves. Old women are called “cute” and persuaded to exist in “retirement” communities to play while they decay. Age 90 is a sure bet you are senile ( even without evidence), and younger people automatically treat you as if you are less than competent. Yuk – it’s disgusting. One may be incompetent at age 90 but one may also be incompetent at a younger age that has not been identified as “old”.

In relationships, “she must be younger than he” is the inflexible determinant for a woman to be with a man. Old women in great physical shape are wrinkled and therefore unappealing while bearded, wrinkled, sick old men with a belly hanging over their belt are distinguished and acceptable.

Mentally and physically, women tend to last longer than men. A 70-year-old woman is generally still in her prime while a 70-year-old-man has had open heart surgery, has prostate problems, diabetes, and has trouble walking. But that doesn’t matter to a mentally and/or physically compromised old guy looking for a new love – he wants a much younger woman because that’s the way it’s always been. He feels entitled. In his head, he still believes he’s a desirable stud even if impotent.

He imagines he’s still got it going on, and finding a viable younger woman validates his fantasy of his youth. Looking not too far down the road, he is aware a younger woman potentially makes a better caretaker than an older woman. The sad thing is, if he has money his decline often doesn’t matter to a younger (or older) woman and in fact, may be an attraction.

The Common Sense Solution

My solution is simple: Legalize perceived age. Be whatever legal age you say you are and can mentally and physically live it. Please don’t tell me there are too many legal hurdles and loopholes to jump through in order to make it work. Look, if a man can get his penis and related organs chopped off to become a woman, anything is possible. For whatever reason, we don’t want to change the system. We want to continue to pretend an addled old guy with just half a brain is an attractive and acceptable partner for a vital younger or same age woman.

Does the unfairness concern you, too? Let me know when you are ready to help change the system. Let me know when you are ready to fight to be the person inside you screaming for legal freedom to be the age you want to be. No surgery is necessary. Just fired-up guts and determination to fight and win the fight. Imagine if that happens: Men will scurry like rats (to no avail) to try to keep remaining (if any) youthful attributes as long as they can. That’s what women do right now and they are doing a great job. The competition just might obliterate “old age” fairness issues and level the playing field of “them versus us” in life and love.