Concept Identification Project

HDF 110 AGEISM

Matrix of Privilege/Oppression:

This concept speaks to the complexity of prioritizing positions of privilege and oppression and also balancing out which have the most impact on a person’s life. For example, people can be part of a privileged group in one area of their life, but be part of another subordinate group in some other area. In fact, we are all have membership in several groups…and there is no single “magic” formula that predicts how much an individual person will suffer or be disadvantaged as part of an underprivileged group…or how being a part of other privileged groups will make up for it.

Some considerations on how some people are able to successfully navigate their lives in the face of the negative effects of the various struggles associated with being a member of an oppressed group…

Resilience:

A resilient individual is one that is able to adapt and, ultimately, even prosper from personal hardship or crisis. There is remarkable consistency across studies that indicate that four characteristics are essential in facilitating positive functioning and the well-being of its constituent members.

Affirming belief systems. How a person makes sense out of a crisis situation and gives it meaning. Optimism as a general way of looking at life. (“losers” or “victims,” vs. “heroic survivors”). Spiritual values and cultural heritage for support and to provide meaning to suffering.

Effective problem-solving skills and social competency: The ability to talk constructively about what is going on in a situation and in themselves, and to consider ways of dealing with what might be occurring, and to be open to feedback. Ability to balance emotions with cognitive skills.

Autonomy: Development of a strong sense of self and confidence in ones abilities and ability to work around limitations.

Availability of Resources: a person’s recognition that these resources exist and his or her ability and willingness to use them.

AGEISM
The term “ageism” was first used in 1968 and its definition was patterned after sexism and racism which were prominent discourses during this time. Ageism is a combination of three connected elements. Among them were prejudicial attitudes towards older people, old age, and the aging process; discriminatory practices against older people; and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate stereotypes about older people
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, or terms, conditions or privileges of employment. The ADEA is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Stereotypes/Myths about older people:

Older people are lonely, depressed, rigid, inflexible and unable to cope with the effects of aging. (age is not a determining factor…personalities tend to remain stable and this is a larger predictor of these attributes)
Older people become increasingly similar as a group as they age…and these “similarities” are perceived as negative traits
Older people are sick, frail, weak and dependent
Older people are cognitively and psychologically impaired (although there are gradual increasing losses in memory/attention ability as people age…only 7% of people in late adulthood fall into senility or dementia that significantly impairs their functioning.)
Older people would rather spend time alone or with small groups of other old people and not participate in social gatherings, especially those aimed at younger people. (voluntary disengagement)
Nonsexual
Burden on society, cannot contribute to societal growth

How do younger generations perpetuate these stereotypes/myths?

Lack of research
: Scholarly articles for racism 2,200+ and sexism 1,100+ and only 215 for ageism.

Social Institutions: Mainstream Media (movies, television, advertising, magazines, etc…) Industry aimed at “over the hill” (greeting cards, jokes, useless, etc…)

Infantilizing: Sometimes see older people as happy, light-hearted, or “cute” and treat them like children.

Employment: Research shows that even though there are laws protecting older employees, the EEOC does not follow through on those at anywhere near the same rate that they do with sexism or racism (example, out of almost 20,000 discrimination complaints brought to the EEOC in 2015, only 29 lawsuits were filed.) Employers have both positive and negative perceptions of older workers, however the traits most admired about older workers (attendance, punctuality, commitment to quality and judgement) were not the top ones valued by employers (enthusiasm, willingness to teach selves, “spark”, technologically savvy, initiative)

Unique features related to ageism:

Growth-From 1990-2030 (number of people over 65 years old is expected to double)

It is not static- Not one “number’ continually changes

“Double standard of agIng”-Intersectionality-aging tends to be perceived as more negative towards women than men.
Dating practices
Remarriage rates
Social definitions of attractiveness create body image issues for women
Unlike other subordinate groups, eventually if we live long enough, everybody will be a part of the group. So, given that we will someday be a part of the group, why do we stereotype have prejudices towards and discriminate against older people?
Age discrimination is one of the most “approved” forms of discrimination

Reasons for prejudice:

Fear- Older people represent the reality of declining health and mortality, which many people would rather avoid/deny evidence. Interaction with or seeing old people can arouse anxiety in people…

Functionalism- We put a high premium on mobility, productivity, etc…Older people are often seen as incompetent physically and/or mentally. Younger people feel that they will “slow us down.”

Increased geographic mobility and cultural ideas about individualism- As our world has become more “global”…people are moving further away, less extended family interaction…children socialize less with grandparents and older people in general, therefore they do not form positive thoughts/feelings about older generations. In general, American ideology is one more focused on individualism than collectivism.

Negative Repercussions of Ageism on the older AND younger generations:

Internalized gerontophobia- Fear of the aging process, older people, being old and belief that the stereotypes are true and that life has increasingly less value as people pass the midpoint of life.

Learned helplessness-Once people internalize all of the negative ideas/beliefs about aging, older people often just “quit trying” because they believe it is futile to try to remain relevant or a significant part of their past social/environmental interests. Often times, this results in older people “living down” to stereotypes/myths.

“Sandwich Generation”-A generation who basically has care taking responsibilities simultaneously for generations above AND below them.