Perspective: Why Americans must rise to the challenge of an aging population
By Christopher M. Bellitto Christopher M. Bellitto Bio Follow Christopher M. Bellitto is professor of history at Kean University in Union NJ, whose latest book is"Ageless Wisdom: Lifetime Lessons from the Bible." March 15 at 6:00 AM At dawn on his 62nd birthday in 1366, Petrarch started a letter to his friend Boccaccio. “When you feel that you are old,” the Italian humanist told his fellow writer, “then and no sooner will you declare your old age.
Ancient cultures believed a long life indicated a good life, attributing impossibly long life spans to their favored leaders. Methuselah, who was granted the longest biblical life span at 969 years, outpaced other patriarchs like Adam, next in line at 930, or matriarchs like Sarah, who made it to a mere 127. Outside the Bible, we find a Sumerian King List that records monarchs like En-men-lu-Ana, who was said to have reigned for a spectacular 43,200 years.
On the Christian side, a medieval Benedictine abbot named Engelbert of Admont argued that human beings had lived long through a combination of God’s will, healthy plants, and pure air and water. But then life spans shortened because people gave in to lusts and desire. The Koran likewise commands, “The Lord has decreed … that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor.” Lest a Muslim child fail to comply, the Koran reminds her of her debt to the parent: “And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: `My Lord! Bestow on them your mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.’” .
Caring and respecting is good for the older people, clearly, but it’s also recognized as an honorable deed for those doing the caring and respecting in any historical period.
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