Ageism
Systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because of their age.
Institutionalized ageism
our societal structure is based on the fact that everyone is young, failing to tend to the needs of older people
Internalized ageism
once labelled old and begin to be treated differently by society, an older persons self concept will be affected.
filial piety
Prominent in traditional Chinese culture
emphasizes importance of caring for parents but extends to obeying them and honouring ones ancestors
positive ageism
overemphasis on positive images of aging
(can stigmatize older persons who cannot meet this ideal)
Recap: Population is aging because of 3 demographic changes:
declining fertility rates
increasing life expectancy
immigration
there are more ____ _____ and better ____ _________ in aging friendly neighbourhoods
green space
street connectivity
Contextual vs. Compositional effects
composition:
⢠Making more of these built environment features because the neighbourhood is composed of more seniors
context:
⢠Older people move to the area with these features because it is healthier for them (context)
âpeople make the places OR places make people
High demand from older individuals for built environment, therefore they will be built (compositional)
Features already built (contextual) attracts older individuals
Population age distribution is changing. This is not a crisis if:
we understand the trends
the society responds with evidence-based feasible policies
Policy - definition
A set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by
a group of people,
a business organization,
a government,
or a political party
Policy only works if:
targeted
feasible
evidence-based
Policy in context on population aging
Situation:
more older adults and possibly dependency issues
goal:
increasing the productivity of older adults
healthy aging, social services, aging in place
for good policy we need:
evidence of trajectories of aging and related issues
reasonable policies
By making older people productive (healthy aging, changes in labour regulations) this ratio doesnât mean dependency anymore
soâŚ
Address real issues
goal is clear
Interaction between social factors throughout life
modernization theory
The social status declines as people age
due to lack of contribution?
An inevitable result of aging or policies?
Example of mandatory retirement at 65
Older people themselves believe age is a limitation
intergenerational issues
Increasing life expectancy results in intergeneration competitions
Can the job market be modified? \n
Change in family values/relations
Shall care for older adults remain a responsibility of families?
Age relation
older people themselves believe age is a limitation
age organizes the society
gives power and identity
limits access to resources
intersects with other social factors
Intersectionality
social factors as creators of âsocial locationâ
age as a social factor
eg.
being an older women of colour
= combines harms of marginalization
impacts on health
concomitant strengths, resilience, and power arising from combinations of social locations
mobilize to improve health/ social status
Ageism
negative value of ageing process
seeing older people as âothersâ
frequent verbal comments, jokes
stereotypes include:
weak, incompetent, no contribution
Social consequences of ageism
An unhealthy aging population
Assumed burden becomes real burden
Internalization: accepting that when you are old you are only receiver of services
Canât contribute anymore
Why does ageism persist?
Normal response to fear of death?
Old age as a reminder for inevitable death
Learned socialization
⢠During childhood
⢠Media
⢠Marketing
Social discourse
Culture(s) that value health, youth, independence
culture vs cohort
âCaring forâ does not necessarily mean âcaring aboutâ
Neglect of issues in other cultures
Living together not necessarily equals better care, higher affectation
Growing up in different times means different life skills
Misunderstanding
Segregation of age groups
Stereotypes
Conflicts
Key: age integration, age literacy
Is it possible to eliminate ageism?
Fundamental changes in social structure, attitude, etc.
Some progress
We can learn from improvement in other âŚ.isms
A Public effort
Example of positive ageism?
What does ageism do to the society?
Reinforces intergenerational conflicts
Segregates the society
Deprives the society of potential contribution of potentially efficient older individuals who have internalized ageism
Impacts social, mental, and physical health of older individuals
Delays achieving the goal of health aging
Birth rate vs Fertility rate
Birth Rate:
The total number of births in a year per 1,000 individuals.
Fertility Rate:
The total number of births in a year per 1,000 women of reproductive age in a population
Summary
Potential detrimental impact of aging population can be modified by proper policies
Strong social-related factors generate and reinforce ageism
Combating ageism is a social effort, responsibility of all age groups