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Written by Dr Neil Thompson.

There is now, quite rightly, an emphasis these days on the need to tackle racism, and the problems associated with sexism are receiving considerable attention, in some quarters at least. The harm that discrimination can do is something that we are much more aware of compared with previous times. However, while the ‘big isms’ of racism and sexism are showing signs of progress (albeit with much more yet to be made), there are other forms of discrimination that remain largely in the shadows. One of those is ageism. What is particularly significant about age discrimination is how often it is deemed socially acceptable. If public awareness of ageism were as high as awareness of racism and sexism, there would be outrage about the way older people are often treated – consider the way they are commonly depicted in the media. But such outrage is largely non-existent.

A core part of the problem is the prevalence of stereotypes about older people. They are commonly seen as weak, incompetent and unreliable. They are also often portrayed as a drain on the economy, when in reality they are major contributors to it.

Consider also how people are often coy about revealing their age, as if being old is something to be ashamed of. Similarly, I squirm whenever I hear a media person describe someone as ‘82-years young’.

Another feature of ageism is that it so often arises for compassionate reasons. For example, relatives of older people struggling to cope in the community will commonly assume that they have the right to make decisions for them (for example, about admission to a care home). ‘But can’t you make her go?’ is a question social workers working with older people often hear from concerned relatives, as if the older person has no say in the matter. Imagine the reaction if it were being assumed that a woman or a black person could be denied the right to make their own decisions simply because they are a woman or black.

“Compassionate ageism, as it has come to be known, is still ageism, however kindhearted the intention. It can create tensions that can prove stressful for all concerned. In addition, the ageism can be internalised by older people – that is, they take on board such stereotypes themselves. I have had many conversations with older people who have felt obliged to do what their relatives wanted – in effect, denying themselves the right to make their own decisions.

What we also need to be aware of is that ageism exists alongside other forms of discrimination and interacts with them. This is what has come to be known as ‘intersectionality’ and describes how forms of discrimination do not operate in isolation. So, for example, a black older woman could well be experiencing ageism, racism and sexism at the same time. What we need, then, is a holistic picture where we see the interaction and cumulative effects of different forms of discrimination.

What is ironic, of course, is that older people are our future selves. This means that, except for those unfortunate enough not to reach old age, we will all face ageism at some point in our lives – unless, of course, we take the necessary steps to make ageism a thing of the past. That is not going to be easy, but the sooner we stop leaving age discrimination out of the equality, diversity and inclusion picture the better.

Dr Neil Thompson is an independent writer and educator and a visiting professor at the Open University. He is the co-author, with Gerry Cox, of Age and Dignity: Anti-ageist Theory and Practice published by Edward Elgar. His website, with his acclaimed Manifesto for Making a Difference, is at www.Neil Thompson.info.

Age and Dignity
Anti-Ageist Theory and Practice

By Neil Thompson, Independent writer, educator and adviser and Visiting Professor at the Open University, UK and Gerry R. Cox, Emeritus Professor, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, US

Find more information on this title here.

Read the introduction and other free chapters on Elgaronline.