Roots of Ageism

Exploring the Roots of Intergenerational Ageism[i]

         I recently came across a research article (cited below) that can be very useful to ICAL: Intergenerational Centre for Action Learning.

[Go to ical.ca].  In this coming year our non-profit company, bc-communitybuilding [go http://www.bc-communitybuilding.com/] will begin a project using artistic activities to strengthen intergenerational relations and hopefully take another step in combating ageism. 

         The material in this blog entry is gathered from the article cited below. It is becoming increasingly clear that we must now increase our anti-ageism campaign.  The population is aging and we are continuing to struggle with an economic downturn (recession? depression?)

         The authors, after an extensive journal search tell us that  “Whatever the reason, age-based prejudice remains drastically under investigated, despite the salience of age in interpersonal judgments.”   Those who hold stereotypes, including ageism, go on to create “…pernicious short- and long-term consequences.”  These consequences can be subtle and complex.

         For instance the consequences are found in medicine where schools underemphasize geriatrics leading to medical mistreatment. In employment where “…evidence indicates that older applicants are rated less positively than younger ones, even when they are similarly qualified.”  And this is just some of the areas.

         Ageism can be very subtle and not hostile for instance “… well-meaning people unwittingly speak to older people using benevolent yet patronizing baby talk and demeaning, exaggeratedly slow and loud over accommodation.”

         As a consequence of ageism many seniors “…internalize negative stereotypes becoming more forgetful, sickly, and depressed, simply because they anticipate adopting such characteristics in their later life.”

         The authors go on to explore some theories used to explain ageism. I suggest that you go to the original article and explore them. If you have access you can find it on Psych Info or the author’s email address cited below.

         Here are just some of the additional topics discussed:

·  Benevolent Prejudices

·  Empirical Bases for Intergenerational Pessimism

·  Elder Optimism

·  Age Specific interests

·  Ensuring Successful Intergenerational contact

·  Cross-Cultural Explorations

·  Ageism against the young

          

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[i] North, Michael S. &  Fiske, Susan, T., Intergenerational Ageism and it’s potential intergenerational roots. Psychological Bulletin, 19391455,             20120901, Vol, 138, Issue 5.  Correspondence for article should be directed to: Michael S. North. Princeton University, Dept of Psych, Green Hall, Princeton Email: mnorth@princeton.edu

            

The Love of my LIfe

Sitting on the Edge of Time

Looking through the window of my computer
Listening to the outside world
With over seventy years of life gone past

To an uncertain future; slowing eyes, ears and memory
I smile, look over the edge of time, then jump.

No, someone says he’s too old
No one laughs
And then, released from damns in each of us
New ideas flood our conversation

At times each flounders
Fearing he or she is beyond their depth.
But always someone throws a lifeline.
No one drowns

At last we’re tired 
And sit on cushions staring
Eyes meet again from flowing minds
We leave our thought adrift

What is democracy
But the right
To swim together
In conversation

Let The Journey Begin

Hooray!!!

         I have been invited to display three of my acrylic paintings at the Anonymous Art Show  

         I have three paintings that are small; eight inches by eight inches.  If sold they will cost  $100.oo with half of the money going to North Vancouver Community Arts Council, which will help support their many valuable community programs, projects and events. But the rest of the money will be for me.  If you would like more information about them go to http://nvartscouncil.ca 

         Over the past several years I have learned a lot about painting art from my wife Elizabeth who has just graduated from Kwantlen with Bachelor of Fine Arts. 

         There are several hundred persons who have been invited, each with up to three paintings.  So, it’s just exciting and even it I don’t sell anything, it’s a new beginning.  Remember the old saying “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  And of course if I do sell something I will come to my blog and tell the story around the world, 

Age Related Stereotypes

Reasons for Age Discrimination in the Workplace[i]

A Scenario

                 

         Beth, an employer, wants to hire someone for a strenuous job that requires a great deal of training, which will take place over the course of several years.  The applicant who appears to be the most qualified is 58 years old; however Beth is concerned that the applicant will not be able to handle the physical demands of the position in the long run.  Further, she is concerned that the applicant will only continue working for several more years. Does Beth hire the applicant anyway? What choice would you give Beth?

         One reason that employers want to hire some workers is age-related stereotypes.  Employers may think that older workers are stuck in their ways, unable to adapt to new changes in the workplace, learn new technology, or keep up in general with new trends.  Companies often deem older workers as less flexible. Hiring managers may use euphemisms like “young blood” to say they want younger workers who they expect to have more energy and work harder, even though they lack experience.  Companies may think that older workers are just coasting as they wait for retirement and lack the same enthusiasm as younger hires.

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[i]  Reasons for Age Discrimination ehow.com http://www.ehiw.com/list_63744202_reasons-age-discrimination.html#HgDXXIs

The Secret of Longevity?

Calorie Restricted Diet: The Secret of Longevity? [i]

         Cutting back on calories is now a growing research subject. In 1983 researchers found that lab mice dieted “… with all needed nutrients but with fewer than 30 to 60 percent fewer calories led to longer life and better health.”  Further;  “The National Institutes of Health report that “…under nutrition has increased life spans of nearly every species studied—protozoa, fruit flies, mice, rats and other laboratory animals.”  Further  “Many studies now exist to support the effects of calorie restriction for longer life and healthier old age.”

         Calorie restriction is important in several different areas including:  age related declines in DNA repair and keeping lowered body fat and blood sugar levels.

         You’ve read this so far. What do you think? The author, at the end, says, “Calorie restriction may not gain wide adoption among humans. But studies of calorie restriction reveal some of the mechanisms that lead to aging and disease in later life.”

         Reading this material made me think of the song “Who Wants To Live Forever

              

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[i]  By M.L. Walford; in Mark Novak, (2006) ISSUES IN AGING  In Chapter 5 Personal Health and Well-Being, Page 126  ISBN 0-205-4398-7

Aging Sterotypes

The Formation of Age Stereotypes[i]

A scenario:

Ageism in a Snow Bank: Walking along a snow-clogged street, a 60-year-old woman saw a car up ahead spinning its wheels. The woman assisted by adding her weight to the back of the vehicle and successfully pushed the car out. With the car now free, the young man was eager to thank the helper. As he rolled down the window, his jaw dropped at the sight of the older woman who had come to his rescue.

         The topics of physical activity, aging and social stereotyping are especially relevant to modern times because without an awareness of the connections between them, we continue to neglect the potential for all people to enjoy full lives.. Everyone wants to live a long and healthy life, but no one wants to “grow old.” And no one wants to work at staying young. That is the first thought about aging –⎯ no one wants to be old. Why? Because aging has long been blamed as the cause of a “disablement process” (Verbrugge & Jette, 1994). There is a perception that older people will invariably experience disabilities and various diseases as a direct result of aging.

         Other stereotypes include that most older people aren’t employed, don’t do much, have nothing interesting to talk about, and don’t have much fun. The older they get, the grumpier people seem. Older adults are seen by some as caught up in their own health concerns and full of complaints about how terrible the world is becoming. Their bodies seem to be falling apart, and many don’t like the contemporary world. Older adults don’t particularly like the noise and antics of younger people, and so choose to live in segregated communities where they can have a peaceful retirement away from the fast pace of community life.

         Well, these things may be true of some older adults, but for many, it is a stereotype. Such thoughts are expressions of ageism ⎯ the differential treatment of people according to age. The self-segregation of older and younger members of society keeps their unique lives secret, and promotes generational estrangement and ignorance. Ageism thrives when older people and younger people don’t live, work or play together. What if a 44 year old man wanted to play on a youth hockey team? Would this be objectionable? What if the middle-aged man was Wayne Gretzky? Who would want a grandfather on their community soccer team? Well, you would be

February 2005         www.alcoa.ca        

         Overcoming Ageism in Active Living sorry not to have Brazilian star Pele as a player on your community team – he just happens to be 61. How about Geoff Henwood? He started gymnastics classes just a few years ago, and he is not 6 years old. He is not 8 years old. He is 86!

         The above individuals are examples of how men can aspire to maintain performance in fitness and sport even into advanced age. There are some exceptional older women too, but ageism judges women more harshly (Vertinsky, 1995). In active living settings, older women generally experience a double whammy of ageism combined with sexism. Indeed, today’s older woman may have acquired some sport skills, but even if she was very fit, until recently, there was no soccer team for her. Her place in society is already prescribed, and she knows people will think “she is off her rocker” if she plays soccer. Generally we think that an elderly woman should be a nice grandmother, sit in her chair, read or watch TV, and play with the grandchildren whenever they happen to come over. Anyway, no older women ever want to play soccer... or do they?

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[i]  Cousins, S. O. (2005)  Overcomming ageism in Active Living, Report for Active Living Coalition for Older Adults  www.alco.ca

Combatting Ageism

AGE DISCRIMINATION AT WORK[i]

         British Columbia’s Human Rights Code protects people 19 and over from being treated differently and poorly because of their age. We all have a duty to respect each other’s human rights. The B.C. Human Rights Code (The Code) is an important law that protects people from discrimination, including harassment. The Code allows a person or group to file a complaint with the BC Human  Rights Tribunal if they believe they have  been discriminated against or harassed, and protects them from retaliation if they make a  complaint.

         An employer cannot make age an issue or advertise for a certain age when hiring. An ad must not say, “only mature people need apply” or “young people wanted.” An employer

cannot refuse an older applicant because “...the job requires a lot of energy and enthusiasm and the company is looking for someone with career potential. “When hiring, an employer can ask someone if they are legal working age, but cannot ask anything that could reveal age. After hiring, an employer might legitimately need to know the employee’s age for a purpose like enrolment in a pension or benefits plan.

         As of Jan. 1, 2008, mandatory retirement, with some exceptions, is no longer allowed in British Columbia. The choice about when to retire is up to the employee. Early retirement benefits can be offered to all employees as an

incentive to retire, but an employee cannot be forced to retire. 

Situations where age distinctions are allowed in employment:

Jobs with Age Limits

         There may be some jobs with age limits because of the duties or needs of work or because of safety issues or dangers. These true demands of a job are called bona fideoccupational requirements. The employer must be able to show that the reasons for the age limits are acceptable under the Code.

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[i] http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/