Our treatment of both older people and children reflects the value we place on independence and autonomy. We do our best to make our children independent from birth. We leave them all alone in rooms with the lights out and tell them, Go to sleep by yourselves. And the old people we respect most are the ones who will fight for their independence, who would sooner starve to death than ask for help.

Summary

This quote highlights the societal emphasis on independence and autonomy in our treatment of both older people and children. It reflects how we prioritize fostering independence in children from a young age, expecting them to self-soothe and sleep alone. Similarly, it portrays the admiration and respect given to older individuals who fiercely preserve their independence, sometimes to the extent of refusing help, even in dire circumstances. The quote underscores how the value placed on independence shapes our interactions with these age groups and influences our perception of strength and dignity.

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