Why do some people call some old men “dirty old men “?
Call me naive or idealistic in my thinking but why are some older men “Dirty old men” ?
Many of these gentlemen are widowed following very long, happy and faithful marriages. I cannot imagine how it must feel to have spent 60 years with someone and lose them.
The loss of a partner is different to the loss of any other family member as would have been the last person they see at night and the first person they saw in the morning. Many lose touch with friends, loved ones and become socially isolated and extremely lonely.
This is possibly why elderly men are frequently misunderstood when perhaps they will reach out to touch a female carer. Obviously there must always be boundaries but how many elderly widowers will actually have had a hug recently. Even elderly people need to feel loved and cared for.
It is part of human nature our need to love and be loved. So the next time you think of a “dirty old man” perhaps he is just elderly man desperate for some affection.
