Its so good to hear that younger generations are present at other conferences, I noticed this at last week’s Boomer Summit, but still in small percentages. Yes I too have encountered the same stereotypes from all ages about what it means to age, even though we can all see evidence to the contrary all around us, people living longer, healthier lives, continuing to work, starting new businesses, etc. Perhaps people don’t realize that these examples are people over 65 because we shy away from saying our age. I knew for my younger readers on my portal blog, KarenSands.com/blog that I might risk being too old for them:))) We definitely need to change, better yet, transform the conversation about aging to even make a dent in these preconceptions. Please stay in touch.

Wow — no one in their 20s and early 30s. I do see more young adults at other gerontology conferences (i.e., GSA and AGHE). I suspect that many of them are graduate students or young professors.

Recruiting (younger) students into gerontology is challenging. That seems to be, in part, developmental. Many would prefer to work with children, youth, or younger adults, because they share similar experiences. This semester, for the first time, I am seeing a few students use language that seems to indicate they think people quit functioning at age 65.

I’ve backed off (a little) on the extent to which I “pound in” a Positive Aging perspective with students. I’m seeing a greater need to do more “pounding” with colleagues who are very solidly middle-aged and older. Perhaps they are defining aging (and gerontologists!) as “nursing homes” so that they can segregate themselves from the idea of aging? Or maybe some social scientists really don’t know?

Very interesting/engaging comments on the conference.