What is ageism?

What is ageism? Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age. Who does ageism affect? Ageism affects everyone. Children as young as 4 years old become aware of their culture’s age stereotypes

It can take three main forms: Stereotypes, or preconceived beliefs about the ways age affects interests, personality, and abilities.

Ageism is discrimination or unfair treatment based on a person’s age. Ageism can occur in employment, housing, education, and other areas of life. It can be difficult to identify ageism because it often manifests as subtle forms of discrimination. For example, an employer may avoid hiring older workers because they believe they will be less productive than younger workers. Or, a landlord may refuse to rent an apartment to an elderly person because they think the person will be unable to take care of the property. Ageism can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to live independently. It is important to be aware of ageism and its effects so that we can work to eliminate it from our society.

There is no doubt that ageism exists in today’s workforce. More and more people over the age of 50 are finding it difficult to get hired for jobs, simply because of their age. This is a form of discrimination that needs to be addressed.