Ralph Waldo Emerson alleged the statement that "it is time to be old, to set sail." But what does it actually mean to be old? Does this mean being wrinkled, weak and grumpy? Or does it mean being happy, successful and satisfied? There is no doubt that today's culture has established many stereotypes and classifications about old age. In this article I will cover many topics on how old age is defined. First, I will describe how older people are viewed both in my culture and in my family. Second, I will discuss how my experiences with older people have affected my attitude toward aging. Third, I will illustrate what I fear and what I look forward to as I age. And finally, I will outline my thoughts on how a person would meet the criteria for aging well. First and foremost, one of the ways older people are viewed in my culture can depend primarily on the age of the individual. labeling. Throughout history, children have been taught stories that “caricature the elderly as ragpickers, bogeymen, and wicked witches” (Novak 4). When I read this statement, I couldn't help but think of the evil woman from the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Although I didn't know it when I was a child, I recently discovered that the woman is actually called "the witch" or "the old hag" in the film. In my opinion, this makes Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a perfect example of how old people are seen as somewhat scary by children in my culture. In my family, on the other hand, older people are seen as the wisest and most important individuals. in existence. I was raised to respect and honor older people, especially my grandparents. Honestly, I consider it a blessing that I managed to do this ... middle of paper ...... because there are many ways to define old age. One solution might be how older people are viewed in your culture, or even in your family. Another way might be to learn how your own personal experiences have shaped your attitude toward aging. Perhaps what you fear and look forward to as you age affects how you define old age. Additionally, your perspective on how well a person ages could shape your definition. Whether you define old age as all, some, some, one or none of these ways, there are specific factors that influence you to do so. Personally, I use all of these methods in my definition of old age. Works Cited Novak, Mark. Problems related to aging. 3. Boston: Pearson Education/Allyn & Bacon, 2012. 4, 89, 90, 113, 114, 128, . Print. “When does someone reach old age?.” Ohioline. NP, 2004. Web. February 20 2012. .