OLD PEOPLE REMEMBER: A CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY

Abstract

Life histories written by elderly Norwegians show that the elderly in this way can make a significant contribution to culture in general as well as to gerontology. This paper describes a competition in which approximately 2,000 elderly participated by writing their personal history accounts. Further research is needed in order to learn why the elderly took part in the competition. But probable reasons for participation are discussed. The responsibility as culture bearers is a challenge to old people. To enable them to participate and to use their experience is a challenge to society. In the education of children and youngsters the contribution by the elderly may be used in two ways—as written material and by inviting the writers to present their life experience in the schools. Historical textbooks provide knowledge about greater events and outstanding persons, but it may be difficult to get a picture of the everyday life of ordinary people. Therefore, life histories written by the elderly themselves represent a valuable supplement to the teaching of national and regional history. The suggested participation of elderly as “teachers” may add to a bridging of the generation gap. It may, however, also imply a danger of confirming stereotypes of old people as something different from younger adults, as a group of human beings born and raised under conditions so different from those of the young people that they now belong to another world.

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