Understanding Explicit Ageism
Explicit ageism is openly expressed and deliberately held. It involves conscious, intentional attitudes and beliefs that lead to discriminatory actions based on age. These are biases that a person is aware of and may even defend. While more widely condemned, explicit ageism remains a persistent problem in many facets of society.
Examples of Explicit Ageism
Examples of intentional age-based discrimination are unfortunately common, especially in professional environments and in public policy debates:
- Workplace Discrimination: A company might refuse to hire people over a certain age or pass over an experienced older employee for a promotion in favor of a younger, less experienced candidate.
- Forced Retirement: Policies that pressure older employees into retirement or have mandatory retirement ages are a form of explicit ageism.
- Healthcare Rationing: During resource scarcity, such as in the COVID-19 pandemic, some crisis standards of care explicitly prioritized younger patients over older adults, effectively devaluing their lives based on age.
- Hostile Remarks: Overt and aggressive beliefs about an age group, such as stereotyping all older adults as frail or helpless, or making ageist jokes, are examples of explicit ageism.
Exploring Implicit Ageism
Implicit ageism refers to the unconscious, unintentional biases that influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without our conscious awareness. These biases are ingrained by a lifetime of cultural messages and media portrayals that often depict older adults negatively or as a homogeneous group. Because they are not consciously held, they are more subtle and insidious, yet their consequences can be just as harmful.
Examples of Implicit Ageism
Implicit ageism often manifests in subtle, everyday interactions:
- "Elderspeak": Using patronizing, simplified language, a singsong tone, or terms like "sweetie" or "honey" when speaking to older adults. This behavior, though sometimes intended to be helpful, is infantilizing and disrespectful.
- Medical Misassumptions: A doctor may unknowingly attribute an older patient's symptoms (e.g., fatigue, dizziness) to normal aging instead of exploring a treatable condition. Alternatively, they might direct questions to a younger family member instead of the older patient, assuming cognitive impairment.
- Social Exclusion: Excluding older adults from social activities or important conversations, assuming they won't be interested or can't keep up.
- Dismissive Behavior: Unintentionally dismissing an older person's opinions or ideas in a meeting based on an unconscious belief that they are less knowledgeable or adaptable.
The Insidious Impact of Unconscious Bias
The true danger of implicit ageism lies in its unconscious nature. It can operate even in individuals who consciously hold positive attitudes toward older people. Research by Dr. Becca Levy and others has shown that the negative stereotypes people absorb from their culture can become internalized as they age, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy of declining health and function.
This internalized ageism can negatively impact an older adult's mental and physical health, contributing to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and poor health outcomes. For instance, someone who internalizes the stereotype that older people are fragile may be less likely to exercise, leading to actual physical decline. This makes addressing implicit bias critical for promoting successful, healthy aging.
A Tale of Two Biases: The Key Differences
To clarify the distinction, here is a comparison of explicit and implicit ageism:
| Aspect | Explicit Ageism | Implicit Ageism |
|---|---|---|
| Consciousness | Aware and deliberate | Unconscious and automatic |
| Intent | Intentional prejudice or discrimination | Unintentional, hidden bias |
| Expression | Overt, can be verbal or behavioral | Subtle, often non-verbal or behavioral |
| Measurement | Self-report questionnaires | Indirect measures like the Implicit Association Test (IAT) |
| Recognition | Easier to identify and challenge directly | Difficult to recognize in oneself without introspection |
| Example | Refusing to hire an older candidate | Automatically using "elderspeak" with an older person |
Strategies for Combating Ageism
Fighting ageism requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses both conscious prejudices and unconscious biases. Here are some actionable steps:
- Increase Awareness and Education: Educate yourself and others about ageism, its impact, and its various forms. Understand the stereotypes that permeate culture.
- Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly challenge your own assumptions and biases about people of different ages. Be mindful of your language and interactions.
- Promote Intergenerational Connections: Encourage opportunities for positive interaction and collaboration between different age groups in communities, workplaces, and families.
- Use Inclusive Language: Avoid demeaning terms or phrases like "senior moment," "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," or condescending tones of voice.
- Advocate for Policy Changes: Support initiatives and policies that promote age-inclusive practices in healthcare, the workplace, and beyond.
The Path Forward: Creating a Better Future for All Ages
Both explicit and implicit ageism are harmful barriers to healthy aging and social equity. While explicit ageism is overt and easier to condemn, implicit ageism is often more prevalent and harder to address due to its unconscious nature. Combating both forms is essential. By educating ourselves, raising awareness, and fostering meaningful intergenerational connections, we can work towards a society where individuals are valued for their experience, wisdom, and unique contributions, not judged by their age.
For more resources and to learn how to help tackle this global challenge, visit the World Health Organization.
