Ageism: age discrimination and its causes

One of the characteristics of discrimination situations is that many times the person who suffers it does not have the necessary means to denounce this injustice.

And there are certain conditions in which you are not even in a position to organize yourself in a number of people. sufficiently broad and well managed that the voice of the victims is heard loud and clear, as well as their claims. Ageism, or age discrimination, is one of the clearest examples of this. Let's see what it is and in what ways it is reflected in the day to day.

• Related article: "The 16 types of discrimination (and their causes)"

What is ageism?

In itself, ageism is a fairly simple concept, and its definition could be simply this: discrimination against the elderly, that is, who belong to the fourth and third age. And it is that as it happens with the racism or with sexism, in ageism there are large population groups that are alienated from the taking of more important decisions, with what seems that other generations have "colonized" their environments of life.

Furthermore, ageism is a problem that occurs in practically all cultures. While aging people in Western countries are not left to die without consuming resources community, it is true that older people continue to be subjected to clearly discriminatory measures and attitudes.

Examples of ageism in our day to day

Below you can see some expressions of ageism that are so common that many of them pass as normal.

1. The lack of representation in television and cinema

Beyond politics, virtually any content that is broadcast on television or screened in cinemas has a clear underrepresentation of older people. Either they appear very little, or they do not have an important role in what is being told. The reason is that in media so image-based, old age does not sell because it is considered unsightly.

Thus, older people lack references and they do not have figures that make their own problems and their situation visible.

2. Architectural barriers

Another aspect that clearly discriminates against older people is the presence of architectural barriers, such as steep stairs or the absence of public transport in spaces that are difficult to walk through.

3. Discrimination in the work area

One of the clearest signs of ageism is the discrimination suffered by many older people who want to work and who have the ability to do it well. The simple fact of passing a certain age is a resounding refusal to be hired, or which means that it is difficult to get out of unemployment. Furthermore, this even people who have not yet reached 60 years of age suffer it.

On the other hand, as older people often live more isolated than people of other age groups due to their lack of training in new technologies and due to problems related to architectural barriers, its political organization is complicated.

4. The stigmatization of sexuality in older people

This point is quite similar to the first, since it is based on an ageist consideration of what is aesthetic and what is unsightly. Nudity and intimacy of the elderly is considered unsightly, and therefore his expression is socially admonished, either with clear rejection or with mockery. Old age is conceived as a vital stage in which you have to worry about things other than sex; Of course, those who support it are always young or middle-aged people, who can enjoy the privilege of openly living their sexuality.

• Related article: "Sexuality in Aging: older people have sex too"

5. Condescension

Old age is seen as the equivalent of ignorance and an almost absolute lack of ability to think. That is why in practice it is very frequent treat those who have entered old age as if they were children a few years and were learning how the world works. This, of course, is another example of ageism that can pass for a simple, well-intentioned disposition to help others.

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6. Control of their living conditions

Many older people are seen as incapable of making decisions for themselves and therefore dependent on others to carry out counseling tasks. That is to say, age itself is used as an excuse to restrict their freedom.

The types of ageism

Age discrimination is reflected both at the personal level and at the institutional level.

Personal ageism

It consists of beliefs, attitudes and prejudices that in practice harm older people. For instance, the belief that older people should not be able to vote.

Institutional ageism

It is a type of discrimination that is materially present in objective aspects of how society works. For example, in the policy of institutionalization in centers for the elderly, which can sometimes go against the will of older people, or in laws that put the Unemployed older people in a situation of clear vulnerability.