Title: 7 Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders | HuffPost Life
Headings: 7 Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders
7 Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders
Here's what we can learn from other cultures, both past and present, about embracing the aging process.
"Old man" isn't a bad word in Greek.
Native American elders pass down their knowledge.
In Korea, elders are highly respected.
Chinese children care for their parents in old age.
In India, elders are the head of the family.
In the African-American community, death is seen as an opportunity to celebrate life.
In ancient Rome, elders were a precious resource.

Content: Abbesses are called 'Gerondissa.' Not exactly terms of endearment in my adopted home. The idea of honoring old age, indeed identifying it with wisdom and closeness to God, is in startling contrast to the way we treat aging in America." Native American elders pass down their knowledge. Though attitudes towards death in contemporary American culture are largely characterized by fear, Native American cultures traditionally accept death as a fact of life. There are over 500 Native American nations, and each has its own traditions and attitudes toward aging and elderly care. But in many tribal communities, elders are respected for their wisdom and life experiences. Within Native American families, it's common for the elders to be expected to pass down their learnings to younger members of the family, according to the University of Missouri, Kansas City. In Korea, elders are highly respected. Much of the Korean regard for aging is rooted in the Confucian principle of filial piety, a fundamental value dictating that one must respect one's parents (although Confucius was Chinese, Confucianism has a long history in Korea ).