Ageism in the Workplace
Age discrimination in the workplace is one of the most common forms of ageism, affecting both older and younger employees. While legal protections exist in many places, subtle and overt biases still thrive in corporate culture.
Hiring and Career Development
- Refusing to hire candidates who are either "too old" or "too young" for a position based on assumptions rather than qualifications. For example, assuming a candidate over 50 lacks tech skills, or believing a recent graduate is too inexperienced to lead.
- Asking about age in interviews when it is not relevant to the job, which is a red flag for age-based bias.
- Decreased training opportunities for older employees, based on the false belief that they are less capable of learning new skills.
- Exclusion from professional activities, where older or younger team members are left out of networking events or informal team gatherings.
- Forced retirement or pressure to step down, suggesting that an older employee has "had their turn" and should make way for a younger generation.
Everyday Workplace Examples
- Making age-based jokes that imply someone is less valuable or less worthy of respect. This can range from teasing about a "senior moment" to making fun of generational differences.
- Unequal pay where salary decisions are influenced by age rather than merit.
- Questioning leadership ability based on age, often dismissing younger leaders as lacking experience while seeing older leaders as being "stuck in their ways".
Ageism in Healthcare and Social Settings
Ageism extends far beyond the professional realm, infiltrating personal relationships, public interactions, and even medical care. These examples can be particularly insidious because they are often unintentional, yet highly impactful.
Healthcare Examples
- Infantilizing patients, which includes using "elderspeak"—a patronizing, oversimplified, and rhythmic tone of voice often used for children. This undermines a patient's autonomy and dignity.
- Disregarding patient concerns or attributing health issues solely to "old age" rather than investigating further. This leads to poorer health outcomes.
- Undertreating or overtreating older patients based on age, rather than individual needs.
- Implicit bias among medical professionals, where they unconsciously treat older and younger patients differently, perhaps spending less time or providing less detailed information to older adults.
Social and Interpersonal Examples
- Treating older family members as though they are invisible, unintelligent, or expendable. This could be speaking to their adult children instead of directly to them, or not including them in decisions.
- Using age as a justification to control or undermine someone, such as financially exploiting an older relative.
- Assuming technology incompetence based on age. Believing all older people are technologically inept is a common stereotype.
- Digital ageism, which refers to age-based bias found in technology and online spaces, including inaccessible user interfaces and stereotypes in media.
- Making generalizations about entire generations, such as that millennials are "entitled" or that baby boomers are "out of touch".
Internalized vs. Externalized Ageism
Ageism can be experienced externally, through the actions of others, or internally, where we direct ageist thoughts toward ourselves.
| Aspect | External Ageism (Examples) | Internalized Ageism (Examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace | Not being hired due to age. Refused training opportunities. | Lying about your age on a resume. Not applying for promotions because you feel "too old." |
| Social | Being called "dear" or "sweetie" by a stranger. Hearing ageist jokes. | Constantly talking about your age in a negative light. Feeling embarrassed to participate in activities associated with younger people. |
| Health | A doctor ignoring your pain because of your age. Being spoken to in "elderspeak." | Assuming health problems are an inevitable part of aging and not seeking proper care. Blaming forgetfulness on a "senior moment." |
| Media | Seeing negative stereotypes of older people in movies or advertisements. | Believing media messages that promote fear of aging or idolize youth. |
The Pervasive Impact of Ageism
Ageism is a societal problem with far-reaching consequences that affect everyone, not just those being discriminated against. It is associated with higher rates of illness, reduced physical and mental health, and even shorter life expectancy. It is also incredibly costly, with one study suggesting billions of dollars spent annually in the US to treat health conditions resulting from ageist attitudes. Poverty can be exacerbated by ageism due to higher healthcare costs and lack of insurance.
Combating ageism requires a multi-pronged approach that includes raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and promoting intergenerational connections. By recognizing and addressing our own biases, we can foster a more inclusive society where individuals are valued for their contributions, not their age.
For more information on the types and impact of ageism on health, you can visit the World Health Organization's website on the topic.
Conclusion: Spotting the Signs of Ageism
Ageism is a subtle yet powerful force that impacts individuals and society as a whole. From explicit discrimination in hiring to benevolent but patronizing attitudes in healthcare, its forms are varied and widespread. By identifying concrete examples of ageism in our daily lives—whether in the workplace, our communities, or even within ourselves—we can begin to challenge these harmful perceptions. Embracing a more respectful, inclusive view of aging is crucial for fostering a healthier, more equitable future for everyone.
