Who Are ‘Seniors’ and Why Age Doesn’t Matter in Tango
Aging is a journey that everyone experiences uniquely. Depending on the perspective from which it is viewed, aging can take on various meanings, often transcending personal and individual understandings of the matter.
For the youth, becoming a year older is a step toward their eventual adulthood, wherein they gain independence and the freedom to do and think as they please away from the influence and meddling of adults. In some cases, aging may also mean taking on additional responsibilities, or discovering one’s identity, regardless of whether it runs contrary to societal and cultural norms.
Tango Tricks class before Halloween themed Milonga at Ultimate Tango. Get one thing - if you can dance the ladies flock to you - no matter what’s your age, look or job title.
For older adults or those nearing middle age, aging often becomes a yardstick for success. It is not uncommon for people to view a certain age as representing a goal that should have been accomplished, such as holding a managerial position by 40 or being married and having a family by 35.
Both these views regard aging as something positive, in that it is often equated with possessing higher capabilities and a wealth of understanding befitting of respect from one’s peers or colleagues.
Age can also affect one’s credibility, as older, more experienced people are perceived as wiser. Therefore, their opinions may bear more weight when compared to the opinions of someone much younger.
Even in the workplace, many companies tend to recognize seniority over skill, and those who are up for promotion must first have tenure to be considered by upper management.
‘Young’ and ‘old’ lose the meaning in tango. In fact, it gets new meaning - young in tango signifying Beginner, and old in tango indicating experienced dancer. People tend to congregate by tango age, not by real age. Consider that attending classes and socializing becomes an important part of building your influence and circle of friends.
However…
As much as aging appears to have social and cultural benefits, becoming a senior citizen seems to diminish these advantages and shift the perspective from one deserving of respect to one who is merely considered a burden.
In some cases, to be singled out as a senior citizen may even be offensive to some individuals, even if the label holds true.
In fact, a study published in Journal of Geriatrics entitled ‘Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Older Adults’ points out that the West, particularly North America, seems to hold a more negative view of aging compared to Eastern or Mediterranean countries. The study notes that “stereotypes of aging in contemporary culture, particularly North America, are primarily negative, depicting later life as a time of ill health, loneliness, dependency, and poor physical and mental functioning.”
This stereotype has, therefore, led to various myths and misconceptions surrounding aging. For instance, it is often believed that since seniors have deteriorating health, they can neither participate in nor enjoy a highly physical, recreational activity such as tango.
Randy’s pharaoh-like physiognomy prevents everyone and anyone from guessing his actual age. And who cares when you are hidden and protected in the secure embrace of a seasoned tango dancer.
Aging: A Cultural Perspective
While the term “senior citizen” is generally understood to mean someone belonging to the older or elderly population, this perception can, in many ways, prove to be an oversimplification. For one thing, it fails to consider what the term means within the context of social, cultural, and psychological landscapes. A study from hindawi.com describes views and perceptions of old age — regardless of whether these perceptions stem from others or the self — as “complex, multidimensional, and dynamic.”
Looking beyond the basic concept of aging itself as a linear progression of time, the term “senior” then holds multifaceted qualities that cannot be explained by a mere number.
Sue braved into sharing her tango experience with the GBH News reporter Liz Neisloss. Nervous, Sue followed her instructor Hernan, and actually impressed the reporter who learned for the first time that the tango is improvised and none of the moves were actually planned.
In the article ‘How the elderly are treated around the world’ Karina Martinez-Carter beautifully describes how the values and traits most prized by cultures are reflected in the way they perceive and treat their elderly. This is further supported by the study Aging in Culture, which breaks down culture as either independent or interdependent.
Personal autonomy is paramount and individuals are encouraged to “express the self as a separate physical entity in actions, words, ideas, and feelings.”
On the other hand, an interdependent culture teaches individuals to “prioritize the needs of the group over their own by being encouraged to follow the customs and norms that are embraced and prescribed by their parents and the society.”
Thus, in largely independent societies like North America, aging is then viewed as a loss of independence due to physical and psychological factors as seniors often have to rely on their adult offspring or assisted living facilities for day-to-day care. This attitude is likely a result of independent societies being more focused on the socio-economic value of seniors.
‘Perceptions of Aging across 26 Cultures and their Culture-Level Associates’ states that more developed and industrialized countries tend to have “less favorable attitudes towards aging and a lower social status of older adults.”
On the other hand, interdependent cultures regard the elderly as invaluable repositories of wisdom who have yet to outlive their usefulness. Since interdependent cultures inculcate filial piety and are more group-oriented, it is not uncommon to see basic family units consisting of grandparents who, despite retirement, contribute to the home by caring for the grandchildren, as well as keep traditions and family history alive through practice or by way of storytelling. The value then of seniors in these societies exceed that which is suggested by what appears to be an oversimplified view from modernization theory.
Tango legends NIto and Elba were still traveling around the world teaching and performing and were only stopped by the COVID breakout.
It is important to note, however, that despite cultural and socio-economic differences, seniors still have a shared experience that defies all borders. While aging may be a unique experience for everyone, it remains characterized by common biological and psychological challenges such as gradual or instant loss of mobility, declining health, cognitive difficulties such as memory loss or even dementia, and fear of abandonment or of the prospect of uncertainty in terms of personal or professional affairs. Thus, to help seniors cope with these emotions and physical conditions, various studies have explored different ways to contribute to the well-being of the elderly or even alleviate the symptoms they may be experiencing. One such way is through dance therapy, particularly Argentine tango.
Eileen happiness cannot be hidden during live music Milonga with Sexteto Milonguero. Eileen is actually a Ballroom teacher, the embrace gives her away a little bit. With her dance partner Raul, they organize Dancing Through the Decades with Dance Caliente.
Seniors and Tango: Regaining a Sense of Self
Contrary to popular belief, senior citizens, generally classified as those over the age of 60, are very much capable of participating in Argentine tango, thereby refuting the widely-held misconception that the elderly merely represent the frail and senile among the population.
In fact, various studies support adapted tango dancing as a type of exercise therapy that could improve the balance and mobility of senior citizens.
As expressed in ‘Community-based Adapted Tango Dancing for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Older Adults’ - it is necessary for the growing population of seniors to have access to dance therapies like Argentine tango since medication and surgery do not always fully address the motor and cognitive challenges they face.
As a fashion statement Barbara let her beautiful curly hair turn white. It added to her vibe as an experienced tango follower searched for in the Milongas.
Take Ruben at La National Milonga in New York seated at his forever front-row table waiting for the perfect tanda to show off his leading skills. He walked with a cane in one hand and smartly leveraging his life partner support on the other. And his will use the principles of leverage while leading and moving around the ronda.
We know that empirically, from experience and everyday observations what study ‘Effect of a Community-Based Argentine Tango Dance Program on Functional Balance and Confidence in Older Adults’ finds out, that “walking with a cane was not a barrier to performing the tango” and that none of the seniors who participated in their community-based Argentine tango program had any trouble dancing without their canes. Further to this study, it notes that regardless of their level of balance, the seniors who participated in this program “were able to learn, remember, and execute complex dance patterns by the end of the 10-week period.”
Alan continues with his Tango journey for years. Not only Tango - he also dances Swing and happily mixes both on the dance floor introducing soltadas and unexpected dips and swirls to tango equation.
Even seniors with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can find that the Argentine tango may be a novel movement intervention that can help alleviate their symptoms. ‘A Study on the Effects of Argentine Tango as a Form of Partnered Dance for those with Parkinson Disease and the Healthy Elderly’ states that
“the novelty, the touch, the socialization, interaction and the progressive learning aspect of Argentine tango indubitably reveal a highly flexible, appropriate and enjoyable activity for the healthy elderly and those with PD.”
Through these studies and many others, it is safe to say that younger people — or even healthy people — do not have a monopoly on the enjoyment and health benefits seniors can derive from dancing the Argentine tango. A casual observation of a milonga would lead one to realize that a lot of older people tend to partner up with younger people, or that both dancers can be seniors, which does not seem to have an effect on the level of performance of the leader or follower.
Rita, one of Ultimate Tango teachers, interviews Marinko and Isabela after their between levels graduation Milonga. At Ultimate Tango we offer 5 levels of proficiency: Beginner, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Pre-Advanced and Advanced. We create little checkpoints that are meant mostly to self-assess your own progress. However, there is a panel of teachers and more advanced students ‘judging’ and giving feedback.
This is because Argentine tango, in principle, has never been about the technicality of movement or the memorization of patterns or steps. By its nature and conception, Argentine tango is a dance that encourages improvisation, operating more on the connection between both dancers and their willingness to exchange energies while on the dance floor.
The power dynamics employed in Argentine tango do not take masculinity and femininity into account, and neither does the dance rely on age for it to be enjoyed. If anything, the freedom of movement and the intimacy in Argentine tango may bode well for seniors as it fosters not only mobility but socialization. Argentine tango, then, addresses the feelings of loneliness and depression that seniors often experience, which are factors that tend to aggravate present medical conditions.
After mastering following Maddie embarked on a journey of leading. Knowing both roles makes dance even more fun as you can seamlessly switch roles and make one more border evaporate. Remember - th dance is improvised - so changing roles requires switching your approach too.
Additionally, dancing the Argentine tango may very well give seniors back their sense of being in control, physically, socially, psychologically, and even emotionally. Whether they take on the role of leaders or followers, what’s important is being given a chance to participate in an activity that cultivates equality and eliminates common limitations among participants, such as age, physical abilities, and economic stature.
On the dance floor, these factors are absent and deemed unimportant, allowing seniors to feel like individuals who can be desirable and have a purpose, completely unhindered by the challenges inherent in the aging process.
Beyond issues of mobility, Argentine tango is a way through which seniors can simultaneously reclaim what they’ve enjoyed in their youth while enhancing their experience as mature adults.
Kaveh Pahlavan & Farzaneh Pahlavan -Boston, MA - 2nd Place SALON SENIOR CHAMPIONS in OFFICIAL USA TANGO CHAMPIONS It’s never too late to become a tango star. You can register here: https://tangousachampionship.com/home/ And of course start getting ready ASAP. The lessons won’t take themselves - and it’s all about musicality, cadencia, and partenrship.
Twilight Years: Tango as Ageless Movement
Aging is an inevitable life process that can have different effects on everyone. While it cannot be helped that there are challenges inherent to the aging process, it is often not an obstacle for seniors to enjoy highly energetic and even socially intimate physical activities like the Argentine tango.
For the tango, age is merely a number that does not, in any way, restrict anyone from participating in this dance. If anything, the nature of Argentine tango can evoke feelings of liberation for those who may feel confined to certain stereotypes and perceptions like seniors.
More than just their balance, the elderly can regain their sense of self by dancing the Argentine tango, helping bring meaning and purpose to their twilight years.