What is ageism? A deeper definition
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines ageism as involving three interconnected elements: stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act). Ageist attitudes can be explicit and intentional, or implicit and unconscious, and are often learned early in life through societal and media messaging. While it is most commonly discussed in the context of discrimination against older adults, ageism affects people across the entire lifespan.
The pervasive nature of ageism
Unlike many other forms of prejudice, ageism is unique because it is eventually self-directed; the ageist beliefs we hold about others can later impact how we view ourselves as we get older. Research suggests that children as young as four years old begin to internalize age stereotypes from their culture. These ingrained beliefs can influence health, behavior, and longevity.
Examples of ageism in daily life
Ageism is not limited to overt discriminatory acts but can be seen in everyday microaggressions and biases. For older adults, this might include patronizing language, like being called "dear" or “sweetie” by healthcare professionals, or being dismissed from important conversations. For younger people, it can involve having their experience or ideas trivialized because of their youth.
Types of ageism
Ageism manifests in three primary categories:
- Institutional ageism: Discriminatory policies and practices within an organization or institution that unfairly disadvantage people based on age. This can be seen in mandatory retirement ages or hiring practices that favor one age group over another.
- Interpersonal ageism: Negative attitudes and behaviors that occur in interactions between individuals. This includes making derogatory jokes about someone’s age or a younger employee disrespecting an older colleague.
- Self-directed ageism: When an individual internalizes negative stereotypes about aging and applies them to themselves. An example is an older person dismissing a memory lapse as a “senior moment,” thereby reinforcing a harmful stereotype.
The damaging effects of ageism on health
Ageism has serious and well-documented implications for both mental and physical health.
- Mental Health: Ageist beliefs and experiences of discrimination are linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and lowered self-esteem. Feelings of isolation and loneliness can also increase, particularly among older adults pushed out of the workforce. A 2021 WHO estimate attributed 6.3 million cases of depression worldwide to the effects of ageism.
- Physical Health: Negative beliefs about aging can directly impact physical health outcomes. Studies have found that people with more negative self-perceptions of aging have a higher prevalence of expensive health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Conversely, individuals with positive attitudes toward aging have been shown to live an average of 7.5 years longer. Ageism in healthcare settings can also lead to poorer quality of care, as doctors may prematurely attribute symptoms to “normal aging”.
Ageism in the workplace
Workplace ageism is a pervasive issue that affects both younger and older employees and has significant financial and emotional consequences.
- For Older Workers: A 2024 Resume Now report found that 90% of US workers aged 40 or older have experienced ageism in the workplace. This often manifests as reduced training opportunities, being passed over for promotions, and lower earning potential. Stereotypes include being seen as less competent with technology or resistant to change.
- For Younger Workers: So-called “reverse ageism” can also harm younger employees, who may have their leadership abilities or ideas questioned due to their perceived inexperience. Common stereotypes include being seen as lazy, unreliable, or arrogant.
Comparison of ageism against older vs. younger workers
| Aspect | Ageism Against Older Workers | Ageism Against Younger Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Common Manifestations | Passed over for promotions, training, or new projects; forced early retirement; harassment; exclusion from social activities. | Ideas and expertise dismissed; micromanagement; denied leadership roles; unequal pay. |
| Common Stereotypes | Stubborn, resistant to technology, slow, expensive, uncreative, low energy. | Inexperienced, lazy, unreliable, entitled, unmotivated, less serious. |
| Associated Financial Costs | Lower earning potential; delayed retirement; financial instability after forced retirement. | Unequal pay for equal work compared to more senior colleagues. |
| Emotional Impact | Loneliness, isolation, depression, reduced confidence. | Lowered morale, feeling undervalued, reduced engagement. |
How to combat ageism
Combatting ageism requires action at individual, community, and systemic levels. The World Health Organization recommends three evidence-backed strategies: policy and law, educational activities, and intergenerational interventions.
- Educate yourself and others: Learn about ageism, recognize your own biases, and challenge stereotypes in conversations. Media literacy is key to critically evaluating how different age groups are portrayed.
- Use age-inclusive language: Be mindful of the words you use. Avoid demeaning or infantilizing language like “sweetie” or “geezer”. Instead, use respectful, person-first language.
- Support intergenerational contact: Promote activities that bring different generations together to dispel misconceptions and reduce prejudice. This can be as simple as mentoring or collaborating with colleagues of different ages in the workplace.
- Advocate for policy change: Support organizations and initiatives that combat ageism and promote age-inclusive practices. This includes advocating for robust DEI policies that include age and workplace protections.
- Challenge internalized biases: Actively push back against internalized ageist beliefs about what you are capable of based on your age. A positive mindset about aging is linked to better health outcomes.
Conclusion: Moving toward an age-inclusive society
Ageism is a widespread and damaging form of prejudice that affects individuals across all life stages, not just older adults. Its negative effects on mental, physical, and financial well-being are profound and far-reaching. By recognizing its presence in our daily lives and actively working to change our own biases and the systems that perpetuate it, we can move toward a more age-inclusive society that values the contributions of every person, regardless of their age. A cultural transformation is urgently required to recognize the true strength and capacity of individuals throughout their lives.
External Resource: For more information on combatting ageism, refer to the World Health Organization's Global Report on Ageism.
