What Is the Meaning of Ageism?
Ageism is stereotyping and discriminating against someone because of chronological age. Though ageist attitudes can affect anyone, from a child being restricted from reading a certain book because of her age to an older person being told he is too old to perform a job for which he is capable, the term "ageism" is increasingly used in psychology, sociology and popular culture to describe the discrimination faced by older people in particular.
Other People Are Reading
-
Significance
-
Out of all the so-called isms, including racism, sexism, heterosexism and classicism, ageism may be the least recognized, understood or researched form of discrimination in the United States. Nearly every person will experience ageism in her life, though some of us may never have to face racism, sexism, heterosexism or classicism. Despite the unanimity of the ageist experience, many people do not recognize ageism around them or take it seriously as a problem.
Career
-
Whenever an employer denies an employee or applicant a promotion or position based on the assumption that he is too feeble, clumsy or underprepared because of his age, the employer demonstrates ageism. When a worker feels pressured by her boss or human resources department to retire based solely on her age, she experiences ageism. Ageism may be perceived as rational or charitable, causing many people to assume that limiting older (or younger) people is for their own good.
-
Sexuality
-
Ageist attitudes result in assumptions about older peoples' sexual interest, ability and appeal that are damaging to senior citizens. Older women are often viewed as being asexual and having poorer health than men, though they live seven years longer than men on average. Greeting cards and popular media reinforce the asexual woman stereotype, which has no basis in empirical research. Older men, also without research support, are stereotyped as becoming more feminine or sexually deviant, as expressed by the popular phrase "dirty old man."
Government
-
According to the National Youth Rights Organization, institutional ageism starts at a young age with government-required schooling, age-based privileges like driving or voting and age-based curfews. Government-enforced ageism also affects older adults who may want or need to retire at a different point than their health insurance or retirement package dictates or who feel ignored by their legislators. Government ageism is not restricted to the United States; according to Medical News Today, 67 percent of British adults "think the present Government is not taking older people seriously" and 74 percent "believe the Government isn't responding to their needs" as of May 2008.
Prevention
-
Prevent personal ageism by avoiding complimenting or insulting someone solely based on her perceived age. Hire or encourage the hiring of intergenerational teams of workers and avoid age-based excuses for your own or someone else's mistakes. People of all ages may forget things, misunderstand instructions or complete tasks insufficiently. You can speak up against ageism in your community, work place and government.
-
References
- Photo Credit senior welder thinks about his project image by leemarusa from Fotolia.com
