Countering Ageism in an Aging Society

According to the World Health Organization, “ageism is the stereotyping (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age." Ageism affects everyone. Children as young as four years old become aware of their culture's age stereotypes. Ageism intersects and exacerbates other forms of disadvantage including those related to sex, race and disability.

We typically talk about ageism as an older adult issue, but it is much larger than that. It can change how we view ourselves and can erode solidarity between generations. Ageism results in devaluing contributions from both younger and older generations. In this article, we will focus on the effects of ageism towards older generations, but we fully acknowledge that it is embedded in our society as a multi-generational issue. 

Ageism is one of the most socially accepted prejudices today. We all hope to grow old, but for many, aging comes with something unexpected: a loss of voice. Older adults often feel dismissed, unheard, and overlooked in everyday life. This occurs in healthcare, in the workplace, in social settings and even in the home or with family. 

Ageism can significantly impact employment or advancement opportunities. 

• In job applications that never get a call back.
• Interviews that seem promising, until they see your gray hair.
• Promotions that go to younger colleagues with less experience.
• Assumptions that the older person on the team doesn't possess the technical skills to do certain tasks. 

A Yale research study by Becca Levin and Martin Slade, found that a positive attitude toward aging on average increases life span by 7.5 years. People with a negative attitude experience poorer physical and mental health and slower recovery from disability in older age. Ageism also increases risky health behaviors such as eating an unhealthy diet, drinking excessively or smoking, and reduces quality of life.

The National Center to Reframe Aging began as an initiative in 2012. They are dedicated to ending ageism by advancing an equitable and complete story about aging in America. They are raising awareness of how embedded ageism is in what say, write and think. A very common thing that we have all heard and probably said when referring to a memory lapse is “senior moment." In truth, everyone loses their train of thought or misplaces their keys. 

I encourage you to think about your own biases toward older or younger people. What thoughts pop up in your head that are age related when someone does or says something annoying? How often do you blame age for what you can or cannot do well? 

Moreso than ever, we live in a multi-generational society, and we need to appreciate each other's strengths and weaknesses. As birth mortality drops and lifespan increases, accepting and appreciating the knowledge and contributions of people across the age spectrum is the only way our community will thrive and become the best it can be.