The 100th day of school is a milestone often celebrated with fun activities, but one common tradition—dressing up as “100 years old"—deserves reconsideration. While these costumes, complete with canes and walkers, might seem like innocent humor, they can unintentionally perpetuate harmful stereotypes and insensitivity.
Stereotyping older adults by focusing solely on physical decline—grey hair, wrinkles, and mobility issues—can be damaging. Aging is a diverse experience and reducing it to a set of declining physical attributes misrepresents the reality of many older adults. This can be especially difficult for aging individuals who feel their entire being is boiled down to these stereotypes based solely on physical appearance and ability.
For some children, mobility aids like wheelchairs and canes are a part of daily life. When their peers dress up in costumes that make light of the use of these aids, it can be hurtful. The humor in these costumes often lies in the irony of a child needing a cane, which can marginalize and stigmatize those who genuinely rely on such aids.
Instead of perpetuating stereotypes, the 100th day of school can be an opportunity to celebrate aging in a more inclusive and respectful way. Educators, caregivers, and families can use this day to teach students about the richness of life experiences, the value of empathy, and the importance of inclusivity. By doing so, we can foster a world where everyone feels they belong. Celebrate the impact of amazing people that lived to be 100, like Iris Apfel who was an interior and fashion designer, or Fauja Singh and Mike Fremont who both ran marathons at 100 years old. You can invite someone from your community to share their story or read books about aging (see titles below!)
As a gerontologist, I understand that the intention behind dressing up is often just to have fun. However, it's important to remember that 100-year-olds can look and be all sorts of ways. Let's use the 100th day of school to cultivate curiosity about the world and empathy for others. By rethinking how we celebrate this day, we can create a more inclusive environment that respects and honors the diverse experiences of aging. Check out the resources below to share with your schools next year as they prepare for the 100th day of school!
The Virginia Center on Aging has some wonderful resources for schools as they plan their 100th day of school. For example, students can do an imaginative writing exercise to dream up what they hope to be doing when they are 100 years old! You can also check out the amazing curriculum plan ideas from Dr. Tina M. K. Newsham (UNC Wilmington) and Dr. Cynthia Hancock (UNC Charlotte) at this link: https://exploringcareersinaging.com/100th-day-of-school-toolkit/
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