The Coming of Age

Summary

In her book "The Coming of Age," Simone de Beauvoir explores with piercing honesty and philosophical depth an inevitable stage of human life that society prefers to ignore. Drawing on history, sociology, philosophy, and personal testimonies, the author reveals how old age becomes a time of loneliness, invisibility, and alienation. De Beauvoir shows how social attitudes and economic structures shape the treatment of the elderly, depriving them of dignity and voice. Through reflections on bodily changes, the fear of death, the loss of loved ones, and the erosion of meaning, she invites the reader to see old age not as an end, but as a part of the human experience that demands compassion, respect, and rethinking. The book becomes not only a philosophical treatise but also a passionate call for humanity and attention to those standing on the threshold of eternity.