"To change stereotypes we need to change our beliefs; to change our prejudices we need to change our feelings as well; and to change discriminatory practices we need to change our behaviour" (Slater 1995:23).
Ageism has been described as the ultimate prejudice involving the thinking or believing in a negative manner about the process of becoming old or about old people (Palmore, 2001). In a society dominated by stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination, because of race or colour, age is a little admitted addition.Hagestad & Uhlenberg (cited Ling, 2008) state age based segregation is typical of modern society. It is the cruellest rejection and is believed to be the third great ‘ism’ in society, as Butler (cited Palmore 2001 pp 572)states:
“Like racism and sexism, it is prejudice or discrimination against a category of people – in this case, against older people.”
Prejudice becomes multi-faceted when taking into account those elderly who are from an ethnic minority background, female or who suffer from other forms of social stigma such as mental illness or disability. However Bytheway (1995 cited Vincent 2006 pp 213) warns against viewing ageism in parallel with other forms of prejudice such as sexism because each is a unique phenomenon, and also against presuming old people exist as a group. This in itself contributes to the ageism problem by labelling older people as a single category, when in fact they are as varied as anybody else in the population.
Despite the promotion of healthy living and lifestyles in old age, the experience of ageing in the Western developed world has become a demoralising one. Unlike Japan, for example, where old age has high status and reverence, ageing is regarded as something undesirable, likely to increase perceptions of vulnerability, loss of competence and loss of attractiveness:
"Sadly youth and beauty have become the currency of our society, buying popularity and opportunity. The value of age and experience is denied"
(Macnair c Slater 1995:23).
Society’s attitudes, beliefs, norms and values are used to justify age based prejudice and discrimination, are culturally embedded and can have a profound effect. Ageism can distance the elderly from mainstream culture, giving lower social worth and excluding the old from their community and access to services. In fact ageism can be found in many forms: it can be direct, resulting for example in less treatment being offered in health care or indirect by, for example, the implementation of a policy or practice that can disadavantage people, not just in health care systems but in workplaces and institutions also (Biggs cited Bilton 2002). The consequences of this include an inappropriate view of the elderly as confused,dependent, and in decline or alternatively as very wealthy and healthy (Brocklehurst & Laurenson 2008).
Although an elderly person may recognise someone is ageist towards them, they may not want to admit this to themselves as Butler (2001 cited Levy:578) explains:
"The reason for this is that the ageing process has been societally defined in negative terms."
Negativity in ageism infiltrates into the way we think and behave towards the elderly,potentially isolating, victimising and disempowering them (Brocklehurst & Laurenson 2008). Yet in a world that is developing an increasingly older population,why is old age regarded with such fear and antipathy, when it should be something to celebrate? There are many examples of successful, influential elderly people in the public arena who are still capable of making a huge contribution to society, including Nelson Mandela, Clint Eastwood and the Queen. The advancements and progress made in science, technology, living conditions and health care over the past century has culminated in people now living longer and healthier lives. Age is a social construct along which we will, barring premature death, all travel, taking our attitudes and opinions with us (Slater 1995). Everyone could benefit from a change of attitude in our society towards a goal we would all ultimately want to achieve.
Yet the ageing process remains subject to prejudice and stereotyping mainly because of the association of elderly people and poverty contributing to the belief that old age is something to be feared and resented (Glendenning 1997). According to Roszak(2002) the elderly are punished more than any other group due to the perception that they pose an economic threat by consuming pensions, and health and social care services but give nothing back.
Yet the accusations of being burdens to society does not take into account the fact that the elderly are excluded from work, despite a willingness and ability to continue. Although ageism in the workplace has recently been recognised by the government in legislation, this only recognises those of employment age, which are only a minority of elderly people (Brocklehurst & Laurenson 2008). Additionally, Cutler (2005) contends that accessible technology is key for older people, as technology can often leave older people at a disadvantage. Ling (2008)insists that many older people are excluded from use of information technology because of design. Assumptions that the elderly would not be able to use IT because of physical or educational reasons are unjustified and incorrect, not least because of the variety of accessibility options and aids for computer use that are now available.
"The reason for this is that the ageing process has been societally defined in negative terms."
Negativity in ageism infiltrates into the way we think and behave towards the elderly,potentially isolating, victimising and disempowering them (Brocklehurst & Laurenson 2008). Yet in a world that is developing an increasingly older population,why is old age regarded with such fear and antipathy, when it should be something to celebrate? There are many examples of successful, influential elderly people in the public arena who are still capable of making a huge contribution to society, including Nelson Mandela, Clint Eastwood and the Queen. The advancements and progress made in science, technology, living conditions and health care over the past century has culminated in people now living longer and healthier lives. Age is a social construct along which we will, barring premature death, all travel, taking our attitudes and opinions with us (Slater 1995). Everyone could benefit from a change of attitude in our society towards a goal we would all ultimately want to achieve.
Yet the ageing process remains subject to prejudice and stereotyping mainly because of the association of elderly people and poverty contributing to the belief that old age is something to be feared and resented (Glendenning 1997). According to Roszak(2002) the elderly are punished more than any other group due to the perception that they pose an economic threat by consuming pensions, and health and social care services but give nothing back.
Yet the accusations of being burdens to society does not take into account the fact that the elderly are excluded from work, despite a willingness and ability to continue. Although ageism in the workplace has recently been recognised by the government in legislation, this only recognises those of employment age, which are only a minority of elderly people (Brocklehurst & Laurenson 2008). Additionally, Cutler (2005) contends that accessible technology is key for older people, as technology can often leave older people at a disadvantage. Ling (2008)insists that many older people are excluded from use of information technology because of design. Assumptions that the elderly would not be able to use IT because of physical or educational reasons are unjustified and incorrect, not least because of the variety of accessibility options and aids for computer use that are now available.
There is a general acceptance in modern society of the view that older people are vulnerable and frail, and it is this acceptance that contributes to their disadvantaged position (Brocklehurst & Laurenson 2008). Cutler (2005)affirms that views against the elderly are not only that they are frail and also resistant to change; he refers to Sigmund Freud who contended that psychotherapy would be of little use or benefit to older people and to Horton who argued that older people are unable to be educated.
Irene McNally
