The issue of contempt expressed towards the aged was examined from a cross-cultural perspective. Eight reasons for expressions of contempt emerged from a study of 95 societies drawn from the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample, and were treated as independent variables, with the overall level of contempt as the dependent variable, in a application of multiple correlation procedures. Results indicated that six reasons for contempt account for 59% of the variance. In order of declining importance, these were: (1) lack or loss of children; (2) deterioration of appearance; (3) loss of physical strength and stamina; (4) gaining negative traits, such as being accused of being witches or sorcerers; (5) mental deterioration; and (6) lack or loss of skills and/or obsolescence thereof. Two reasons for contempt, loss of wealth and hoarding of wealth, were excluded as insignificant. These findings suggest that children and other family members act as the first defense against older people being held in contempt, that physical change in appearance may be more important than is popularly believed, and that the possession of wealth may be less important. (Author)