How can ageism be prevented? A comprehensive guide to building an age-inclusive society

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in two people worldwide holds moderately or highly ageist attitudes. Understanding this pervasive bias is the first step, but the key question is: how can ageism be prevented, and what concrete actions can we take to build a more inclusive society for all ages?

Quick Summary

Preventing ageism requires a multi-faceted approach involving individual reflection, conscious language, and systemic policy shifts. Fostering intergenerational connections, challenging stereotypes in media, and implementing age-inclusive practices in workplaces and healthcare creates an equitable environment where all ages are valued.

Key Points

• Self-Awareness: Actively reflect on and challenge your personal biases and assumptions about people based on their age.

• Inclusive Language: Choose respectful, accurate, and specific terminology when discussing age, avoiding harmful stereotypes.

• Intergenerational Connection: Seek out opportunities to connect and collaborate with people from different age groups to break down biases.

• Workplace Advocacy: Push for age-inclusive hiring, training, and team policies that value the contributions of all employees.

• Critical Media Consumption: Be mindful of how age is portrayed in media and support content that shows positive and realistic images of aging.

• Policy Engagement: Advocate for systemic changes that promote age equality in employment, healthcare, and community infrastructure.

Understanding the Roots of Ageism

Ageism is a prejudice and discrimination based on a person's age. It manifests in various forms, impacting individuals in overt and subtle ways throughout their lives. Institutional ageism involves systemic policies and practices that disadvantage people because of their age, such as mandatory retirement policies or the exclusion of older adults from clinical trials. Interpersonal ageism occurs in interactions between individuals, like making condescending remarks to an older person or dismissing a younger person's ideas based on their age. Lastly, self-directed ageism involves internalizing negative societal stereotypes, leading to a poorer self-image and self-doubt.

Negative stereotypes fuel ageism. Common misconceptions include the idea that older people are frail, technologically inept, or unproductive in the workplace, while younger people are often stereotyped as inexperienced, lazy, or entitled. These baseless assumptions create significant divides and can have real consequences for a person’s well-being and opportunities.

Strategies for Prevention at the Individual Level

Change begins with personal awareness. By reflecting on our own biases, we can consciously work to dismantle ageist attitudes in our daily lives.

Cultivate Self-Awareness

• Examine your internal monologue: Pay attention to your thoughts and assumptions about people based on their age. Do you assume an older person won't understand a new technology? Or that a younger person lacks leadership skills? Challenge these initial judgements.
• Journal your age beliefs: For one week, as recommended by researchers at Yale, record every portrayal of aging you see in media, on social media, or in conversations. Note whether the portrayal was positive or negative and consider an alternative, more balanced perspective. This exercise can be a powerful way to identify implicit biases.
• Listen to diverse voices: Actively seek out perspectives from people of different generations. Read books, listen to podcasts, or watch content created by people outside your age group to gain a broader understanding of their experiences and capabilities.

Challenge Your Own Assumptions

1. Question media portrayals: When you see a negative stereotype, consciously counter it. If you see an advert showing older adults as frail or helpless, remind yourself of the active, vibrant older people you know.
2. Use specific language: Instead of using blanket terms like "the elderly" or "seniors," use more precise and neutral phrases like "older adults," "people over 65," or simply "people." Be mindful of euphemisms like "of a certain age," which can imply shame around aging.
3. Correct ageist jokes: Don't let age-based humor go unchallenged. Gently push back against comments that reinforce negative stereotypes, whether about older or younger individuals. Raising awareness in others starts with open, respectful conversation.

Creating Change in the Workplace

Workplaces are a significant arena for ageism. Promoting inclusive practices benefits everyone by fostering a more collaborative and innovative environment.

Promote Intergenerational Collaboration

• Implement reciprocal mentoring: Pair younger employees with older, more experienced colleagues. This two-way exchange allows both parties to share unique skills. A veteran employee can pass on institutional knowledge, while a younger team member might offer expertise in new technologies or social media. This practice builds mutual respect and breaks down age-based divides.
• Diversify project teams: Ensure teams are composed of members from different age groups. Different life stages and experiences can lead to more creative problem-solving and better outcomes. Encourage all voices to be heard and valued.

Comparison of Ageist vs. Age-Inclusive Practices in the Workplace

Aspect	Ageist Practice	Age-Inclusive Practice
Hiring	Job ads with phrases like “recent grad” or “digital native.”	Focus on skills, experience, and competencies, not age markers.
Training	Offer training only to younger employees perceived as having longer careers ahead.	Provide equal access to training and development for all employees, recognizing lifelong learning.
Team Dynamics	Disregarding input from older staff or assuming younger staff are inexperienced.	Actively solicit input from all team members, valuing diverse perspectives and experiences.

Fostering Intergenerational Connections in Communities

Age segregation is a major contributor to ageism. Bringing generations together in casual, meaningful ways can help bridge gaps and build empathy.

Bridging the Age Gap

• Support intergenerational programs: Get involved with community initiatives that bring different age groups together. Examples include community gardening projects, shared daycare/senior center facilities, or school-based mentoring programs. These interactions provide face-to-face contact that challenges stereotypes.
• Volunteer for diverse causes: Volunteer for an organization or cause that serves a range of age groups. Whether it’s a local food bank or a community arts program, working together toward a common goal can dissolve age barriers naturally.

Advocating for Systemic and Policy Changes

Individual and workplace efforts are crucial, but sustained change requires systemic advocacy. Policy and media both play powerful roles in shaping societal views.

Media Representation

• Critically evaluate media: Pay attention to how different age groups are portrayed in movies, television, and advertising. Support media that showcases diverse, realistic, and positive images of aging. Demand more inclusive casting and storytelling that moves beyond negative stereotypes and reinforces the value of all ages.
• Check out age-positive resources: To learn more about promoting positive aging in media, visit the National Institute on Aging's blog on writing about aging respectfully. They provide excellent guidance on language choices and avoiding harmful tropes: Don’t call me “old”: Avoiding ageism when writing about aging.

Public Policy Advocacy

• Advocate for legislative change: Support laws and policies that protect against age discrimination in employment, healthcare, and housing. Many countries have some form of age discrimination law, but enforcement and expansion are often needed.
• Promote age-friendly communities: Advocate for policies that support age-friendly infrastructure, such as accessible public transportation, safe walking paths, and community spaces that cater to all generations. Creating accessible environments for older adults benefits everyone.

Conclusion: A Collective Effort for a Better Future

Preventing ageism is not a single action but a continuous, collective effort. By taking steps to address our own biases, advocating for age-inclusive workplaces and communities, and demanding more positive media representation, we can foster a society that celebrates every stage of life. The benefits of an age-inclusive world extend far beyond a single demographic; it builds stronger, more empathetic, and more innovative communities for everyone. Your role in challenging ageism, no matter how small, contributes to a larger, necessary cultural shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ageism and how does it differ from age discrimination?

Ageism is the stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination against someone based on their age. While ageism refers to the underlying attitudes and beliefs, age discrimination is the act of putting those attitudes into practice, such as unfair treatment in employment or healthcare.

How does ageism affect people of all ages?

Ageism can affect anyone, not just older adults. For example, young workers may face prejudice about their experience or commitment. For older adults, ageism is linked to poorer physical and mental health, increased social isolation, and financial insecurity.

Can subtle, everyday comments be considered ageist?

Yes. Seemingly harmless comments like 'having a senior moment' or being told 'you're too old/young for that' can reinforce negative stereotypes. These microaggressions, though subtle, can contribute to a culture that normalizes ageist thinking.

How can I start addressing my own internal ageist beliefs?

Begin by observing your reactions and thought patterns. When you find yourself making an age-based judgment, stop and challenge that assumption. Consider where that stereotype came from and consciously reframe your perspective based on the individual's merits, not their age.

What are some practical steps for fostering intergenerational relationships?

You can join community groups that mix age groups, such as volunteer organizations or book clubs. At work, propose a reciprocal mentoring program. At home, create opportunities for family members of different generations to spend quality time together.

What kind of workplace policies help prevent ageism?

Effective policies include removing age-specific language from job postings, ensuring equal access to training and development for employees of all ages, and implementing blind resume reviews to prevent age bias during the hiring process.

How does the media influence perceptions of age?

Media often perpetuates ageist stereotypes by portraying older adults as frail or comical, and younger adults as naive or tech-obsessed. Positive media representation, which shows the diversity and capabilities of all age groups, is crucial for changing these societal perceptions.