Understanding Externally Inflicted Ageism
Ageism is a widespread issue that involves prejudice and discrimination based on age. Externally inflicted ageism is distinct because it comes from societal attitudes, institutional policies, and interpersonal actions directed at an individual from an outside source. It is the opposite of self-directed ageism, which is when a person internalizes negative beliefs about their own age. Externally inflicted ageism manifests in various forms, often rooted in harmful stereotypes that portray older adults as frail, technologically incompetent, or resistant to change. It can affect people of any age, including younger individuals who are perceived as too inexperienced, but it disproportionately impacts older adults.
The Workplace: A Common Ground for External Ageism
One of the most visible and impactful areas for externally inflicted ageism is the workplace. Companies often harbor unspoken biases that affect hiring, promotions, and daily interactions. A classic example is a qualified older employee being passed over for a promotion in favor of a younger, less experienced colleague. This happens because managers may subscribe to false stereotypes that assume older workers are less dynamic, less capable of learning new skills, or nearing retirement and therefore not worth the investment. Other examples include:
- Forced Retirement: Applying pressure on older employees to take early retirement packages, even when mandatory retirement is illegal in most professions.
- Layoffs: Targeting older employees for layoffs during downsizing efforts, often under the guise of cost-cutting.
- Decreased Training: Denying access to training and development opportunities, limiting career growth for older employees.
- Negative Remarks: Making belittling or insensitive comments about an employee's age, such as jokes about being 'over the hill'.
Healthcare: Inequitable Treatment Based on Age
In healthcare, external ageism can have severe consequences for a person's health and well-being. A common example is a doctor dismissing an older patient's legitimate physical pain, like a knee issue, by saying, “What do you expect at your age?”. This type of ageist dismissal can lead to delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment. Further examples include:
- Elderspeak: Healthcare providers using condescending language like "honey" or "sweetie," or speaking in an exaggeratedly slow or loud tone.
- Ignored Patient: Addressing a caregiver instead of the older patient directly, assuming the patient is unable to communicate or make their own decisions.
- Resource Allocation: In extreme circumstances, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, some crisis standards of care prioritized younger patients over older adults for scarce medical resources, a clear form of institutional ageism.
Media and Advertising: Shaping Societal Biases
Media is a powerful external force that influences how we perceive aging. Ageist portrayals reinforce stereotypes and normalize prejudice against older adults.
- Stereotypical Portrayals: Media often depicts older characters as 'grumpy old men' or 'frumpy grandmas' who are out of touch with modern society. Conversely, the 'wise old sage' archetype, while seemingly positive, can be equally problematic by reducing a character's individuality to a single, age-based trait.
- Underrepresentation: Older adults are often underrepresented in media, particularly in lead roles, which can create a sense of invisibility and irrelevance.
- Ageist Advertising: Some advertising campaigns use derogatory images and storylines, such as the 2018 E-Trade campaign that mocked struggling retirees.
Comparing Externally Inflicted and Self-Directed Ageism
| Feature | Externally Inflicted Ageism | Self-Directed Ageism |
|---|---|---|
| Source | External sources: Individuals, policies, institutions, media | Internal beliefs: Internalized negative stereotypes about aging |
| Example | A hiring manager rejecting a candidate based on their age. | An individual refusing to learn new technology, thinking they are “too old”. |
| Manifestation | Discriminatory practices, condescending language, media portrayals. | Self-limiting behavior, negative self-talk, feeling embarrassed about one's age. |
| Impact | Can lead to financial strain, social isolation, and poorer health outcomes. | Can reduce self-esteem, shorten life expectancy, and discourage healthy behaviors. |
How to Combat Externally Inflicted Ageism
Combating external ageism requires a multi-pronged approach that includes awareness, advocacy, and education. You can make a difference in your personal and professional life by taking these steps:
- Challenge Stereotypes: Call out ageist jokes or assumptions when you hear them, regardless of the setting.
- Use Inclusive Language: Advocate for the use of age-inclusive language in your workplace and personal interactions. Use terms like 'older adults' instead of derogatory or infantilizing terms.
- Support Age-Diverse Environments: Actively seek out and support organizations, media, and policies that promote age diversity and positive aging narratives.
- Educate Others: Share information about the harmful effects of ageism, both on the individual and on society.
- Advocate for Policy Changes: Support initiatives that promote age-friendly communities and equitable resources, such as those that challenge discriminatory hiring practices.
The Long-Term Impact of Ageism
The repercussions of externally inflicted ageism are far-reaching. Experiencing age discrimination can contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. A person's financial well-being can be impacted through lost job opportunities or unfair pay. On a societal level, ageism costs billions of dollars each year and harms the economy by sidelining experienced workers. For individuals, a lifetime of encountering such prejudice can lead to internalizing negative stereotypes, which studies show is linked to poorer physical and mental health and reduced longevity. Addressing external ageism is not just an issue of fairness; it is a critical step toward creating a more inclusive and healthier society for everyone.
Conclusion
Externally inflicted ageism manifests through the discriminatory actions, biased policies, and negative stereotypes that individuals and institutions inflict upon people based on their age. A manager withholding a promotion from an older employee, a doctor dismissing a patient's symptoms due to their age, and media perpetuating harmful tropes are all prime examples. By increasing awareness, challenging these biases, and actively advocating for change, we can work toward a society that values individuals of all ages for their contributions, experience, and humanity.
For more information on combating age discrimination in the workplace, visit AARP.
