4 Mental Health Lessons from “The Golden Girls”
Grab your cheesecake and take a seat! It’s time for America’s favorite grandmas to share some wisdom and life lessons that have stood the test of time.
Community Matters
For those who are unfamiliar with the show, the four main characters in The Golden Girls did not meet until later in life when they were looking for roommates. The characters formed close relationships with each other and were very involved in their community - volunteering at the hospital, volunteering for a local government election, chairing committees and events, running an Elvis fan club. Community and connection matter at all ages. It is especially important for older folks because social relationships play an important role in protecting against cognitive decline (Seeman 2001). Arguably, the oldest member of The Golden Girls Sophia is so witty and functional for her age because she has such strong social connections.
Sexual Health Matters at All Ages
If you ask Blanche Devereux, a woman’s sexual prime is in her forties. Sex is a topic that frequently comes up in the show. All of the main characters are widowed or divorced women who are actively dating. Aging does not mean the end of a healthy sex life or the end of sexuality. According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, 76 percent of adults say that sex is important in a romantic relationship at any age (Solway 2018). Furthermore, “growing evidence confirms that sexual desires persist into old age” (Heidari 2016). Hopefully, there will be some data in the near future to validate what our Golden Girls have been preaching all this time.
Your Past Relationships Don’t Define You
Dorothy’s ex-husband Stan makes many appearances on the show. If you ask Dorothy’s mother Sophia about Stan, she will tell you without hesitation that he is a “yutz.” Dorothy is known for being strong of mind and character, yet she has an unhealthy back and forth relationship with Stan. There is even an episode where she almost remarries him. Over the course of the series, Dorothy heals from Stan’s betrayal, becomes unstuck from her past, and releases her shame. She takes the pen and authors the new chapters of her life. If Dorothy can do it, we all can do it!
Confidence is Key
When I think of confidence and self-esteem, I usually think of Blanche. She is a woman who does not let anything stop her. A healthy amount of confidence can help us cope with certain anxieties and access our bravery to do the thing we want to avoid or are hesitant about. Dorothy overcame her fear of flying so she could support Rose when her family member passed away. Rose overcame her fear of public speaking so she could give the eulogy at her aunt’s funeral. Blanche overcomes her fear stemming from a recurring dream. We all have fears, but our fears do not need to get in the way of the important things in life.
If you’re a Golden Girls fan, I hope you’ll take these important lessons with you. When it comes to mental health, community, confidence, courage in the face of fear, and owning sexual well-being are all important. If you’re Maryland and looking for support in these areas, our therapists would be happy to support you! Therapy + lessons from the Golden Girls….what could be better??
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Written by: Sara Secada-Lovio, LCPC
Sara is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who offers Brainspotting, relationship therapy, and individual therapy at our Baltimore City office.
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Heidari, S. (2016). Sexuality and older people: a neglected issue. Reproductive Health Matters, 24(48), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.11.011
Seeman, T. E., Lusignolo, T. M., Albert, M., & Berkman, L. (2001). Social relationships, social support, and patterns of cognitive aging in healthy, high-functioning older adults: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging. Health Psychology, 20(4), 243–255. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.20.4.243
Solway E, Clark S, Singer D, Kirch M, Malani P. Let’s Talk about Sex. University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. May 2018. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/143212
