Ageism is the discrimination of a person according to their age.

The
term was first coined by Robert Neil Butler in 1969 to describe the
discrimination against senior and elderly people. Butlers definition of
Ageism was the discrimination and prejudice towards old people. His
definition of discrimination included stereotypes that create prejudicial
thoughts and the portrayal of senior people in the media. Although
sometimes used to describe discrimination of adolescents Ageism is
widely used to describe discrimination against elderly people. In 2009,
based on conceptual analysis of Ageism. According to them, they stated
thatThis definition constitutes the foundation for higher reliability and
validity in future research about ageism and its complexity offers a new
way of systemizing theories on ageism. "Ageism is defined as negative
or positive stereotypes, prejudice and/or discrimination against (or to the
advantage of) elderly people on the basis of their chronological age or on
the basis of a perception of them as being 'old' or 'elderly'. Ageism can be
implicit or explicit and can be expressed on a micro-, meso- or macrolevel" (Iversen, Larsen & Solem, 2009).
Types of Ageism
Implicit Ageism is when somebody thinks about elderly people
subconsciously or in their thoughts. Some thoughts might be positive but
most implicit ageism thoughts are positive, but gerontologist Becca Levy
reports that they "tend to be mostly negative."
Ageist Stereotyping is a tool of cognition which involves categorizing
and applying characteristics to a certain group of people. It gets harmful
when a stereotype is so powerful that it overrides an individual which it
doesnt conform to or if a majority of a group does not show the
characteristics that the stereotypes claims to show. For example, if a
person sees a young person with a limp he immediately thinks it is
treatable whereas if the person sees a elderly person with a limp he
immediately thinks that it is not treatable. These stereotypes are based on
the average young person who is sporty and athletic while an old person
is frail and weak. Furthermore, ageist stereotypes is more contrary to
change so if a child believes in a ageist stereotype it is less likely he will
be challenged and it is possible he will believe in the stereotype when he
is old, thinking himself as frail and weak when he is actually not so.
Unfortunately, such stereotypes are very commonplace in modern society.
Most elderly people dont recognize that they are being stereotyped as
they are hard of hearing. This makes it even more easier to say a ageist
stereotype to a old person without the old person recognising it. This leads
into a cycle as if many people said ageist stereotypes to an old person

and the old person didnt hear, a new stereotype would be created that all
old people are hard of hearing, therefore creating a cycle.
An article from the Guardian in 2011 by Daniel Boffey showed that
the U.K was the worst country for ageism revealing the according to the
inhabitants of the U.K, old age starts at 59 while in Greece it started at 66
and and half of the people that completed the European Social Study
(ESS) said they didn't have a friend over 70 while four tenths of people
over 70 who completed the ESS said they didnt have a friend under 25 in
their lives. This shows an intergenerational gap, according to the
psychologist Nicola Robinson. She analysed the results of the 2009 ESS
and the figures show that 66% of the people that completed the survey
thought that ageism was a serious problem, 22% higher than the
European average of 44%. Only France was higher with 68% of people
that completed the ESS revealed that for them, ageism was a serious
problem. Ms Robinson says that a cause for this widespread fear for
ageism is that compared to other european countries, we know a whole
lot more about it. Ms Robinson adds that compared to other countries in
Europe, such as Spain and Portugal, different generations dont mix,
creating a profound segregation which can help to cause Ageism.
Ageism can affect somebodys morale, confidence and quality of
life. It can include the way elderly people are represented in the media,
causing public opinions to change. The charity AGE UK has set a goal to
make sure that anybody loses out according to age. Although it is mainly a
workplace issue, were older people are discriminated because they are
older, it can also happen when out and about. AGE UK has listed some
scenarios were Ageism can happen. These are
Losing a job because of their age.
Being refused interest-free credit, a new credit card, car
insurance or travel insurance because of their age.
Receiving a lower quality of service in a shop or restaurant
because of the organisations attitude to older people.
Not being eligible for benefits such as Disability Living
Allowance due to age limits.
Being refused a referral from a doctor to a consultant
because you are too old.
Being refused membership to a club or trade association
because of your age.
All of the above represents Ageism. Although under the Equality
Act Of 2010, older people are protected against Ageism in a workplace,
unfortunately many elderly people are discriminated and assaulted

outdoors. Luckily, from 2012 an act was passed to ensure that Elderly
people arent treated unfairly.
Under the Equality Act 2010, workers over 55 are entitled to
certain protections and in extreme cases, are allowed to bring their case
of discrimination to an employment tribunal. There is, however a limit
for bringing a case to court and that is 3 months from the first
incident/s. Workers are protected from.
Direct discrimination - When your employer says he/she will
not promote you because youre 'too old'.
Indirect discrimination - If your employer offers a training
course only to recent graduates, this could constitute indirect
discrimination, as it could exclude older employees.
Harassment - If colleagues made jokes about your age which
were offensive, or comments made about the age of someone you
associate with, such as a partner.
Victimisation - For example, if you are passed over for a
promotion that you would otherwise have been given, after making
a witness statement supporting a colleagues complaint of age
discrimination.
These laws have greatly reduced Ageism in the workplace and in a
recent poll, elderly people said that they felt safer in the workplace than
five years ago but however, they still felt vulnerable when in outdoors. In
conclusion, Ageism is something we have to quickly change, as if old
people still feel vulnerable when outdoors, they feel that not enough has
been done to create a safe and equal environment, a goal that everyone
would strive to reach. It is still an aspect of society we have to fix, but with
more laws and acts such as the Equality Act 2010, we could well be soon
there.