ageism

If there is prejudice against people of different cultures, sexual orientation, and class, it is no surprise that there is also prejudgment towards people based on their age. Ageism, coined by Robert Neil Butler is the discrimination against groups or individuals on the basis of their age. As it was discussed in Todd Nelson’s “Ageism: the Strange Case of Prejudice Against the Older you”, there are lot of factors on why people may have certain prejudicial attitudes towards the elderly. It could all be sourced from the society’s perspective on change, fear of death, institutionalization of ageism, etc. Since the study of age prejudice is fairly new and constantly expanding, researchers are still finding new discoveries on factors regarding ageism (Nelson, 2011, p. 37). Studies done by Lee, Carpenter, and Meyers suggests that television advertisements may alter the viewers attitudes about older adults by portraying them a certain way. These findings are important because among all forms of media, television is perhaps the most pervasive in society (Lee et al., 2006). Another study, “the role of individual difference variables in ageism” reveals that empathy traits, personality traits, and gratitude have influence on ageist beliefs. The researchers claim it may be crucial in weeding out certain characteristics of people who may show age

Ageism is the prejudging of an individual, or group based on notions of age. Ageism is just like other “isms” like racism or sexism. Our society praises youth and

Ageism is endorsed throughout global culture and often is overlooked as a form of prejudice. However, this acceptance and ignorance towards an ageist culture, has proven to inflict severe mental, physical and emotional health implications. Although ageism is easily understood, it often goes unnoticed as a type of discrimination and unlike other prejudices, it will impact anyone who manages to make it to the sixth decade of live (Nelson, 2016). So, in hindsight it is discriminating against ones future self. Studies have identified that 80% of people aged 60 and older have experienced forms of ageism (Robbins, 2015). This figure is appalling considering the adverse health affects negative stereotyping can impose. In order to understand ageism and its affects it is vital to explore age prejudice from a multi-generational perspective. As well as understand the social-imagination contributing to a negative ideology of ageing. Only after understanding the aetiology of ageism, can interventions be put in place to eradicate this worldwide prejudice.

Furthermore, Butler (1980) implied how ageism, as sexism and racism, has become institutionalised in society. He argues since the attitudes of the members of a society shape the policies that govern it. Then bias, prejudice, and stereotypes can make a direct effect on policy formulation. Thus, through their effect on social policy, attitudes become institutionalised. Butler (1980) argues how there is three distinguishable, yet interrelated aspects to the problem of ageism: 1) Prejudicial attitudes towards the aged, towards old age, and toward the ageing process, including attitudes held by the elderly themselves; 2) discriminatory practices against the elderly, particularly in employment, but in other social roles as well; and 3) institutional practices and policies which, often without malice, perpetuate stereotypic beliefs about the elderly, reduce their opportunities for a satisfactory life and undermine their personal dignity (Butler, 1980).

Unfortunately, attitudes exist throughout today’s society that cause younger individuals to overlook the needs of older adults, as they are often seen as a burden. Ageism is a growing concern amongst the current population of older adults. Hirst, Lane & Miller (2015) define ageism as negative stereotyping towards older adults solely due to their age. Older adults are continually being minimized, made to feel as if they aren’t worthy. It is especially evident in health care facilities, whether it is long-term care homes or hospital settings. Hirst, Lane & Miller (2015) found in a review of studies that older adults are more likely to receive less aggressive treatment for ailments due to people holding onto the belief that common ailments are

Age discrimination in employment, also known as job ageism, is a complex issue which impacts on many areas of Government policy and can have many implications for individuals themselves. Age discrimination can occur across the whole spectrum of employment and can affect both younger and older people. It can affect a person’s chances of getting a job, as well as their chances of promotion or development when in work. Age can also be a factor when employers decide who should be selected for termination.

There is a controversial issue regarding ageism in older workers and youth employment. I believe this claim evenly has the pros and cons to both sides. Some people’s perspective is that the older employees are taking jobs from the younger workers, but this is not always the case. (statistic quote). Even though there is a law which forbids age discrimination, it is still happening today. Yes, it is true that the job market is more competitive that before, but this is due to a numerous amount of reasons. One of the biggest reasons as to why were younger workers have more of an opportunity to get hired is that in this day and age, everything is about technology. Most of the older workers are not technology savy, therefore, this enables younger

Ageism has been around for a while, the assumption that older people are not up to standards of a younger workers. Older job hunters have reported age discrimination as early as the 1930s. Societies bias of hiring an older person. Ageism has ran rampant in corporate America also coined as “The Gray Ceiling”, an invisible stigma

Stereotypes and assumptions are what form the phenomenon of ageism (Macnicol, 2006). Stereotyping is the prime component in the process of ageism, which leads to age discrimination, which includes actions such as excluding those in certain age groups or disadvantaging them (McHullin and Marshall 2001, as cited in Snape and Redman). It has been expressed by some that older workers have played their part, and hint at older workers to leave the workforce in order to allow more job opportunities the upcoming younger working generation (Shah and Kleiner, 2005).

Ageism, or age discrimination, is a problem that is extremely pervasive in the workplace, spanning from retail to even corporate environments. Ageism has existed for a long time and is still affecting businesses today. Even though there are laws set up to prevent this from happening, most businesses are smart enough to find loopholes in order to continually practice age discrimination. One huge reason for this is that many businesses know they can pay younger and less-experienced workers less. However, this is not to say that older people do not experience age discrimination as well. The government can pass whatever law it wants to attempt to forbid such acts, it lies in the nature of human beings to be ageist, per se.

This article gave me more of an awareness of how “ageism” effects our society and the effects it has on older adults. Something that stood out to me reading this article is how often older adults feel like their being discriminated because of the individuals age. In 1992 a survey was conducted across Europe, the test revealed that three quarters of EU citizens believed that older workers were victims of discrimination and companies were not hiring them or proving already hired employees with promotions or training opportunities. So individuals are aware of this type of discrimination, but people aren’t acting on it. After reading this article and also taking IAT bias test has really opened my eyes. I never want to discriminate against anyone,

Both the young and the old experience this type of discrimination. Discrimination occurs at many different levels in society based on age. This is experienced at an individual, societal and organisational level. In terms of young people an example of this issue can be seen in the age you must be to run for president. People under a certain age are inhibited from running for president showing a way in which they are singled out and rejected from participating. However, Michael D. Higgins stated that a society that values all ages  mixed both with wisdom and energy is a rich society. In their study Palmore (2001) wanted to identify the prevalence of ageism. Palmore (2001) identified that the experience of ageism was widespread and that participants encountered more than one incident. The type of ageism involved disrespect towards the individual and assumptions about the person. In their study 77% of the participants over 60 years of age experienced repeated ageism which consisted of inappropriate jokes towards that age group. Bytheway (2005) also identified that ageism has an impact on all ages that related to fear and prejudice. Similarly, Palmore (2001) highlighted that prejudice and discrimination against all age categories was revealed in their study but with older people being specifically targeted. Ageism was ubiquitous across all subgroups that were studied. Very little difference was found between age or

Ageism is described as stereotyping, prejudice and/or discrimination of a person or group of people on the grounds of their age. (Iversen, Larsen & Solem, 2009) Ageism especially in the workplace is usually targeted at younger workers who are under 20 and older workers above 50. (Equal Opportunities Commission, 2014). The examples of ageism are jokes that poke fun, less dignity and respect, denied employment and denied promotion

Ageism was described by Robert Neill Butler as the discrimination and stereotyping of people because of their age. Robert.N.Butler was one of the first psychiatrist to recognise how the world treats and thinks about older people Robert saw it as discrimination against the older people and the aging process. In the Irish society today there are ageism and ageist attitudes towards people of an older age.

Throughout many cultures, many regard the elderly as a figure of wisdom and knowledge, but as the American society continues to develop, the elderly today is perceived differently. When a person thinks about aging, the first thing that comes to mind is the decline of health, nursing homes, and death, but many don’t think of the positive aspects of aging. As the world continues to develop, what was once considered a virtue and a gift, aging is now a burden and a lurid thought in the back of everyone’s mind. Ageism is defined as the practice of discrimination based upon a person's age (Nemmers, 2005). Though ageist stereotypes exist in many forms, the elderly is specifically targeted because of false assumptions made by society. The constant development of this nation has caused many to stereotype the elderly in both positive and negative ways. The article Ageism: The Strange case of Prejudice sheds light on the growing issue of prejudice against the elderly. The article states, “Anytime one assumes that a group shares common behavioral or personality characteristics, they are engaging in stereotyping” (Nelson, 2010). Many people in America today take part in the stereotyping of the elderly; whether calling every old person slow or difficult to manage. By doing so, society is condoning this behavior and supporting the stereotyping of the elderly. Since the elderly is constantly perceived as something that they are not, they face endless prejudice from every walk of life.