Forced Retirement: a Battle for the Ages

Being in my late 60s, I am not disappointed that 70-year-old USC professor Ruth Weg won’t be allowed to do gerontology work any longer. What does all the money spent by her kind of study of old folks actually do for us?

I wait in vain for gerontology to offer us something other than ancient, common sense expressions about aging. All I hear or read is that we oldsters should adhere to a clean, modest, honest, sober, thrifty, careful, low-stress, energetic (but not pushy), optimistic, nonviolent, good Samaritan lifestyle--and see our doctors often.

For this advice we need elaborate departments of gerontology staffed with highly paid Ph.D.s? My immigrant mother, may she rest in peace, used to give (the same advice) for free.

PATRICK GROFF

San Diego