Grandma and Grandpa’s Days
What are seniors like? What should we wish them?
In Poland, on 21st and 22nd January, we celebrate correspondingly Grandma’s and Grandpa’s Day. But before we gift our elder relatives with a traditional bouquet of flowers or a chocolate box, let’s reflect on who they really are, what they expect from life and what they really need.
Grandma – knitting in her favourite armchair, her hair in a bun. Grandpa – fishing or reading a newspaper. Is it always the case? Today sexa- and septuagenarians live their own lives, which may differ from those stereotypical images. Doctor Bogna Bartosz from the Institute of Psychology at the University of Wrocław talks to us about today’s seniors and different models of the silver generation’s lives.
“Contemporary grandparents may have different plans for their lives than just taking care of their grandchildren”, the researcher emphasises. “They explore the world and have a rich social lives. There is a number of diverse aging models. It is worthwhile to find one’s own.”
Indeed, many seniors do not fit the traditional social image of elderly people. They date, study, travel, find new passions or come back to the old ones. However, the young generations are often unaware of how interesting and diverse their grandparents’ lives are. Why?
“Young people and seniors often live in separate world,” Doctor Bogna Bartosz explains. “That is a huge mistake. Let’s spend time together, go out, break stereotypes. Let’s treat our grandpas and grandmas as independent human beings with their own hobbies and passions.”
So, what should we wish to the elder family members?
“Let’s wish them the courage to resist stereotypes and savour every moment of their lives”, dr Bartosz concludes. “Statistically, the sexagenarians still have at least twenty years to live. It is worth making the most of that time”.
See the interview in the VIDEO.
Translated by Julia Wdowiak (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
