What are the causes of ageism in society?: Understanding the roots of a complex and pervasive bias

According to the World Health Organization, one in two people holds moderately or highly ageist attitudes. Unpacking this pervasive issue requires looking beyond surface-level biases to understand what are the causes of ageism in society at a deeper psychological and systemic level.

Quick Summary

Ageism is rooted in a combination of deeply ingrained psychological fears, including mortality anxiety, societal shifts toward age-segregation, and cultural norms perpetuated by the media. Economic competition and evolving social structures also contribute significantly to negative perceptions and discrimination against different age groups.

Key Points

• Fear of Mortality: A subconscious fear of death, reinforced by the aging process, is a core psychological driver of ageist attitudes, pushing individuals to distance themselves from older adults.

• Social Identity Bias: The human desire for a positive in-group identity often leads younger and middle-aged adults to elevate their own age group by devaluing older generations.

• Modernization and Segregation: Historical shifts like the Industrial Revolution and the move towards nuclear families have reduced intergenerational contact, fostering misunderstandings and age-based prejudice.

• Negative Media Portrayals: Media and advertising often perpetuate ageist stereotypes by depicting older adults in limited, negative, or one-dimensional roles, reinforcing societal biases.

• Economic Competition: In the workplace, economic factors such as statistical discrimination, resource competition, and lower mobility for older workers contribute to hiring bias and unfair treatment.

• Internalized Ageism: Negative ageist beliefs can be absorbed and held by older individuals themselves, negatively impacting their mental and physical health and self-perception.

• Lack of Positive Contact: A dearth of meaningful, positive interactions between younger and older people in age-segregated societies allows harmful stereotypes to persist unchecked.

The Psychological Roots of Ageism

Individual attitudes are a primary driver of ageism, often stemming from subconscious fears and a desire for positive self-identity. These psychological factors shape how individuals perceive and react to both their own aging and that of others.

Fear of Mortality (Terror Management Theory)

One of the most profound psychological causes of ageism is the fear of death. The presence of older adults can serve as a potent reminder of one's own finite existence, a concept known as terror management theory. To cope with this inherent anxiety, individuals may distance themselves from older people and reinforce negative stereotypes about aging, effectively creating a psychological buffer against their own future. This allows them to project undesirable traits onto an out-group, making the concept of aging and death feel less personal and threatening.

Social Identity Theory and In-group Bias

Humans have a strong need to belong to groups and maintain a positive group identity. This tendency can lead to in-group favoritism and out-group derogation, including along age lines. Social Identity Theory suggests that younger and middle-aged adults bolster their self-esteem by elevating their own age group while devaluing the older group. This can be particularly strong among middle-aged adults who are closer to becoming part of the devalued older group. The resulting social hierarchy and negative stereotypes reinforce ageist attitudes and prejudice.

Societal and Cultural Factors

Broader societal and cultural changes have profoundly shaped attitudes towards aging and contributed to ageism. Unlike some prejudices, ageism is unique in that individuals from all age groups can experience and perpetuate it.

Modernization and the Shift from Intergenerational Living

Historically, older adults were often respected for their experience and knowledge, especially in pre-industrial societies where oral traditions held significant weight. The rise of modernization fundamentally changed this dynamic.

• The Printing Press: Widespread literacy and mass media reduced reliance on elders as primary sources of knowledge.
• The Industrial Revolution: The focus shifted toward nimble, adaptable workers, devaluing accumulated experience. Families also became more nuclear, reducing multigenerational living arrangements.
• Age-Segregated Society: Modern society is largely segregated by age, with institutions like schools and senior centers creating separate spaces for different age groups. This limits opportunities for positive intergenerational contact, which research shows is key to reducing ageism.

The Media's Role in Reinforcing Stereotypes

Media and entertainment play a significant role in shaping and perpetuating ageist stereotypes. The portrayal of older adults is often limited, negative, or both.

1. Exaggerated Visual Cues: Visual media frequently exaggerates negative signs of aging, such as wrinkles and mobility aids, reinforcing associations with unattractiveness and frailty.
2. Stereotypical Roles: Older actors and actresses are often cast in limited, one-dimensional roles, such as the forgetful grandparent or wise old sage, rather than as complex, multi-faceted individuals.
3. Negative Framing: News media often frames aging populations in terms of burdens on healthcare systems and pension funds, contributing to a narrative of decline rather than resilience.

Economic Drivers and Workplace Ageism

Economic factors are a potent source of ageism, particularly in the workplace. This can manifest as conscious prejudice or unconscious bias based on assumptions rather than facts.

• Statistical Discrimination: Employers may make hiring or promotion decisions based on supposedly objective, but often biased, statistical assumptions about an age group's average productivity or health. This can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where older workers, anticipating discrimination, invest less in professional development.
• Intergenerational Resource Tensions: Perceived competition over resources like jobs, promotions, and government benefits can fuel resentment between age groups. During economic downturns, these tensions can increase, leading to higher levels of reported age discrimination.
• Monopsonic Discrimination: Older workers who have been with a company for a long time may possess specific skills and social capital that are not easily transferable. This creates a reliance on their current employer, who may then have the power to offer lower wages or conditions, knowing the worker's mobility is low.

A Comparative Look: Historical vs. Modern Ageism

To understand the evolution of ageism, it's helpful to compare how perceptions have changed over time. The shift from an agrarian society to a post-industrial, knowledge-based economy significantly altered the social currency of age.

Aspect	Pre-Industrial Society	Modern Industrial Society
Source of Value	Wisdom and experience gathered over a lifetime were highly prized.	Speed, adaptability, and mastery of rapidly changing technologies are prioritized.
Family Structure	Extended families often lived together, fostering frequent, high-quality intergenerational contact.	Nuclear families are more common, leading to greater age segregation in daily life.
Social Status	Elders often held positions of authority and were respected as sources of knowledge and lore.	Authority and social influence often peak during middle age, with retirement signaling a decline in status.
Media Representation	N/A	Mass media and advertising reinforce negative stereotypes, often sidelining or misrepresenting older adults.

The Impact of Internalized Ageism

Ageism is not just an external force; it can be internalized by older adults themselves. Exposed to negative messages about aging from a young age, individuals may unknowingly adopt these beliefs. Internalized ageism has significant negative consequences on both mental and physical health. This can manifest as limiting beliefs about one's own capabilities as they age, decreased self-efficacy, and poorer health outcomes. A positive view of aging, by contrast, is associated with a longer, healthier life.

For more information on the global impact of ageism, consult the World Health Organization's report, which details the profound and far-reaching effects of this bias. World Health Organization: Combatting Ageism

The Path Forward: Addressing the Root Causes

Understanding the various causes of ageism is the first step toward combating it. Solutions must address the issue on multiple fronts, from individual mindsets to systemic and institutional practices. This includes promoting positive intergenerational contact, challenging media portrayals, and implementing fairer workplace practices that value the skills and contributions of all age groups. By confronting our underlying fears and reshaping societal norms, we can work toward a more inclusive and equitable society for people of all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the fear of death contribute to ageism?

According to terror management theory, older people remind us of our own mortality, which can cause anxiety. To cope, some individuals distance themselves from or devalue older adults, projecting their discomfort and fear onto them.

Does the media really influence ageism?

Yes. Media representations often rely on negative or limited stereotypes of older adults, such as depicting them as frail, technologically inept, or grumpy. These portrayals shape public perceptions and reinforce ageist biases.

What is internalized ageism and how does it affect people?

Internalized ageism is when older individuals adopt negative societal beliefs about aging and apply them to themselves. Research shows this can negatively impact their mental and physical health, self-efficacy, and overall well-being.

How do economic factors cause ageism?

Economic causes include statistical discrimination, where employers use assumptions about an age group's productivity, and intergenerational resource tensions, where different age groups are perceived to be competing for jobs and resources.

Can ageism be reduced through intergenerational contact?

Yes, research indicates that positive, high-quality intergenerational contact significantly improves attitudes towards older adults and reduces negative stereotypes. However, modern society is often age-segregated, limiting these opportunities.

Is ageism worse in certain cultures?

While ageism is a global issue, its specific manifestations and severity can vary. One study noted that reported ageism was higher in modern East Asia than in the West, possibly due to increased intergenerational resource tensions.

What are some historical causes of ageism?

Historically, shifts like the advent of the printing press and the Industrial Revolution devalued the traditional role of older adults as holders of wisdom. The move toward smaller, nuclear families also reduced exposure to and respect for elders.