I think the biggest issue women have with menopause is that feels sort of like a biological clock saying "Hey lady, you're old now!". This OBVIOUSLY is not the case, but I know that it can be especially hard for some women to accept that they are reaching the other end of their life cycle. I think women should be able to feel empowered that they are at this stage of life! Because really the only reason women don't age gracefully is because we have this silly notion that there is nothing to be had in our older years. Quite the opposite! Older women can do just as many things as younger women can, so there is no reason that your post-menopause years shouldn't be your best!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Blog 5: Aging Gracefully
I decided to talk about this topic because it is something that my mother has been dealing with recently. Menopause is something that inevitably happens to all women at some point in their lives. However the arrival of this particular life stage can seem more like a death sentence than the opening of a new chapter. I have known several women who have gone through menopause rather gracefully, just like nothing was going on. With my mother it was slightly different. I would say it is probably because she's my mom and not just a friend that I got to hear all of the details of what she was experiencing that made it seem like her experience was slightly different.
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Your lucky to be able to share this with your mother. Your getting first hand knowledge of what to expect. I really don't know what to expect. I have read the articles, seen the movies, and read the books, but in actuality, I have never talked with a woman going through menopause. My mother is 55 and I have many older aunts, but they just don't discuss it. The only thing I ever hear about are the typical "hot flashes". I know there is more to menopause than that. So, I have decided to sit and have a talk with my mom. I really need to know.
ReplyDeleteMy mother went through menopause and I did not even know it. It is something she doesn't discuss and I wonder why. I have worked with women who complain of hot flashes and joke around but I never really discussed it with them. I think you and your mother discussing her experience is an example of great communication that mother/daughter should share (but obviously not a lot do).
ReplyDeleteTristan,
ReplyDeleteIt must be great that your mother is willing to talk about her menopause experiences with you. Most mothers (women) do not want anyone to know what they are going through so they shy away from the realities and talking about it. I hope whatever she shares with you will be more of an enlightenment than a fearful venture.
However, your post on 'Aging Gracefully' did not address all the components of assignment. How does the media/society exarcebate the situation? What can we do about it to change the sitaution?
You did not say much about your mother's responses to help us understand her menopause experiences and how society may have impacted her on this.
Personally, I carry the African perspective of transcending into menopause which is a phase of wisdom, blessings of longevity, and just as a resource person in community. When I came over to the US I found it as something of so much fear and I am resisting to be fearful about it. I do not remember my mother or the older women I know back home ever talking about menopause and I wonder if they had any problems. I will follow up on this abit more with my community back home.