ageism - youthism

In a previous Blog post I talked about Intergenerational Programs: Antidote to Ageism?   In this post I will focus on ways that we can reduce "ageism" and "youthism" and the negative effects on all generations.

What is Ageism?

Briefly, ageism refers to stereotyping and discriminating against or in favor of a particular age group. Robert Butler, who coined the term in 1968, wrote that ageism highlights a few exaggerated characteristics of a particular age group and assumes that these qualities apply to everyone in that group. Ageism and discrimination are closely related. The term ageism refers to the negative attitude, while discrimination refers to the negative behaviour.

Seniors and Ageism

Ageism is the most tolerated form of social prejudice in Canada compared to racism and sexism, and many well-intentioned Canadians are, in fact, depriving their elders of the independence and choice that are crucial to aging well. These are among the findings of the Revera Report on Ageism: Independence and Choice As We Age, released May 30, 2016 by Revera and the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research.

Notable highlights of the report:

Internalized Ageism

"If you grow up preparing yourself for the aging process as if it will be a burden, that's exactly how it will feel. It's all about self-perception and the story we tell ourselves about whom we are becoming with passing time."
Sara Fabian How to Cope with the Fear of Aging

Internalized or self-directed ageism may contribute to anxiety or fears about growing older. You might feel this anxiety because you:

Near the time of retirement, people begin to worry about future health as well as economic independence. Some fear changes in physical appearance associated with aging.

Aging anxiety affects both attitudes and behaviours towards older people, but it also influences adjustment to your own aging experience. Knowledge about aging can help to alleviate your anxiety about growing older.

Teens and Seniors - Victims of Ageism

Maggie Kuhn was an American activist who founded the Gray Panthers after she was forced into mandatory retirement at age 65.

She said that adolescents and older adults have much in common. Kuhn’s list illustrates that ageism can affect any age group – not only older adults. Kuhn wrote:

Neither group is taken seriously. The old are told, "We don’t do it that way anymore." The young are told, "You don’t know what you’re talking about."

Both groups have limited incomes.

Both are going through dramatic physical changes. The young are growing hair; the old are losing hair.

Both are involved in the drug scene, though faced with different drugs and different pushers.

Both experience conflict with the middle generation.

Both have difficulty securing employment because of rampant age discrimination.

Both are free to be agents of social change. When they work together, the changes can be dramatic.

Transition Magazine, Vol. 30, No. 3

As Kuhn points out, teens and seniors may share many problems. The solutions, however, are not common to both groups. Youth can look ahead to a time when many of these problems disappear.

Emma Waldman describes the situation for young adults in her article:  Am I Old Enough to be Taken Seriously. She writes: "Young adults are more likely to report experiencing ageism at work than their middle-aged and older counterparts."

Youth-directed Ageism - Youthism

Throughout history adults have been complaining about the behaviour of young people.

Plato was heard to remark: "What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders, they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets, inflamed with wild notions."

Plato was not alone. 

"The world is passing through troublous times. The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As for the girls, they are forward, immodest and unladylike in speech, behavior and dress."
From a sermon preached by Peter the Hermit in A.D. 1274

"I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words... When I was young, we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise [disrespectful] and impatient of restraint."
Hesiod, 8th century B.C.

Interventions

How can we reduce Ageism? How should we address Youthism? It begins with each one of us.

Here are some actions that you can take.

One.  Check your attitude.  Check your knowledge.  Check your assumptions.

Answer these quizzes.
Myth or Fact about older adults
Myth or Fact about teens/youth

Two. Overcome fear of aging.

One: Check your Attitude; Check your Knowledge; Check your Assumptions

Myth or Fact about Older Adults

Do you think the following statements are Myth or Fact? 

Check your responses with those in Common Myths About Aging. 

Myth or Fact about Teens

Do you think the following statements are Myth or Fact?

Check your responses with the article by Dr. Kenneth R. Ginsburg – Teen Years: Truth Telling & Myth Busting

Two: Overcome Fear of Aging

Overcome the fear of aging by engaging with other older adults who are living a dynamic life. For example, join a group like CALL (Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners). Learn more

Nurture friendships within a group of seniors – after all, the category of seniors spans at least three decades from age 65 to 95. When I was growing up, my mom gave me a wise bit of advice. She said to find friends that are older and friends that are younger. The older pave the way and show you how to manage changes that come with aging. The younger keep you up-to-date.

Engage in intergenerational relationships whenever you can.  Intergenerational friendship enriches us and gives us a sense of connection that is life-affirming and energizing,” said Marc Schulz, a professor of psychology at Bryn Mawr College and co-author of the book The Good Life, who has studied how important personal relationships are to happiness

These might be naturally occurring with family – e.g., grandchildren

Some studies have shown the positive effects of regular contact with grandparents on developing better attitudes toward older people.

You can nurture intergenerational relationships with younger co-workers

In a 2019 AARP survey, more than 90 percent of respondents who had an older or younger friend said the relationship gave them things their other friendships could not deliver – namely, a new perspective, inspiration, and a greater appreciation of their experiences.

Value, Depth and Age: The Prism of Today's Friendships. The Positive Impact of Intergenerational Friendships.

Celebrate International Youth Day
August 12, 2024

Enjoy National Seniors Day
October 1, 2024

As an example of the rich benefits of intergenerational relationships, I put the following question to a young woman with a close multi-generational family and lots of experience working with her grandparents. Her thoughtful response shows the effects of connecting with people from another generation. It also shows the potential that connection has to help reduce ageism.

You have grown up with many older adults in your life. How has that influenced what you think about older people?

1. I have a different definition of ’old people‘ than some of my friends. After 75-80ish, I guess most people count as ‘old’ to me. But it’s generally more based on stage of life or ability than actual age. Some of my friends think 60 is old. Which I think is wild.

2. I have less tolerance for ’old people‘ not learning new things. Maybe that’s just because I am blessed to have grandparents that care about what I have to say and want to stay current, but I don’t believe that “old dogs can’t learn new tricks”. I have little patience for ignorance or lacks of tolerance in older adults, because the people in my life are not that way despite that being reflective of the time they may have been growing up. I have friends that are very forgiving of people being ’a product of their time‘ and I just don’t think that’s a real thing. Everyone alive right now is a product of this time. We’re all here. The Self is a dynamic being. We are all changing and learning all the time. Refusing to do so makes no sense to me.

3. I think I’m less afraid of aging compared to some of my friends. Aging is awesome. So many people don’t get to do it. I’m really excited to get to be a grandparent and make obscure references to media from the 2000s and teach the next generations things, because I’ve been blessed to have adults in my life that have offered me the opportunity to learn from them.

In reading my respondent’s answer, you may also ask yourself about youthism. Were you surprised that she values the experience of her older family members? Did you laugh at her wisdom that her references will also one day be “out of date?” Openness to listening and suspending judgement can take us all a long way to better connections and reduced prejudices.

In summary, to see what youth and aging can mean, take it from a comic genius and keen observer of the human condition: George Carlin on AGE

When asked how old you are! If you are less than 10 years old, you are so excited about aging you think in fractions. I am four and half going on five. You are never thirty-six and a half! When in your teens, you jump to the next number or even a few ahead. I am gonna be 16! You could be 13, but hey, you’re gonna be 16! And the greatest day of your life you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. You become 21. Yesssss! But then you turn 30. Ooooooh! What happened here? You become 21, turn 30, then you are pushing 40. Whoaaa! Put on the brakes! Before you know it, you reach 50! But wait!! You make it to 60. You weren’t sure you would! So, you become 21. Turn 30. Push 40. Reach 50 and make it to 60. You’ve built up so much speed that you hit 70! After that it is a day-by-day thing. You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you hit lunch; you turn 4:30; you reach bedtime! And it doesn’t end there. Into your 90s you start going backwards. I was just 92! Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. I’m 100 and a half. May all of us make it to 100!! George Carlin

AUTHOR
Maureen Osis
Maureen retired from her career -- first as a Gerontological Nurse and then a Marriage/Family Therapist in private practice working with mid-life and older adults. Maureen has published numerous articles and books, related to her professions. She is a member of CALL because she is passionate about learning. She is a volunteer with CALL, doing social media and the primary author of the blog, because she likes to face new challenges.

Learn more about membership in CALL.

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blog@calgarylifelonglearners.ca

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