Thoughts on Ageism
Ageism, a form of discrimination based on
age, is a pervasive issue that affects individuals in numerous aspects of their
lives. Ageism encompasses various forms of prejudice, stereotypes, and
discrimination that target older adults, leading to detrimental consequences
for their psychological well-being, social inclusion, and economic stability.
Ageism has been around longer than the
debate of pineapple on pizza. Throughout history, societies have often valued
youth and beauty while disregarding the Wisdom and experience that comes with
age. From limiting Employment opportunities to shaping societal norms, ageism
has embedded itself deep within our cultural framework.
Ageism is like that annoying relative who
thinks they know everything about you based on one family gathering. Older
adults are often subjected to stereotypes like being technologically inept,
forgetful, or even resistant to change. It’s as if the moment you hit a certain
age, people assume you can no longer grasp the intricacies of modern life. But
hey, what do they know? They’re probably still using flip phones.
Institutional ageism is like that annoying automated voice you encounter when trying to reach customer service—impersonal, frustrating, and just plain unfair. This type of ageism is embedded in policies, practices, and systems that limit access to resources and services for older individuals. From healthcare to Finance, institutional ageism can make navigating the world a whole lot more challenging for seniors.
Discrimination against seniors can be as subtle as a backhanded compliment or as blatant as denying them opportunities solely based on their age. Society often forgets to include older adults in important conversations and decision-making processes. It’s like they think they’re outdated and have nothing valuable to contribute. Newsflash: we are the original influencers, and our wisdom is priceless.
Ageism can do a number on an individual’s self-esteem. Constantly being bombarded with messages that depreciate our value based on age can make some older adults question their worth and identity. It’s like society expects us to stop growing and contributing just because we’ve celebrated a few more birthdays. But guess what? We are still rocking our leather jackets and dancing like nobody’s watching.
Originally Published on https://boomersnotsenior.blogspot.com/
