As a gerontologist, I have been interested in intergenerational connections, to the degree that I earned an intergenerational certification from the University of Pittsburgh. Negative impressions about older adults and negative impressions about younger people can be measured and mitigated in small settings, “intergenerational exchanges,” where measures before and after reveal degrees of ageism from both ends of the aging spectrum. However, we must back into ageism to understand it.
Where do these negative stereotypes come from? Everywhere! Embracing the notion that old people should retire at 65 or that they are "less than" or "greedy geezers" are other examples of ageism. Ageism is most prevalent in the media. Movies, television shows, greeting cards, commercials, news programs, and social media platforms. Old people are portrayed as deaf and it's funny. Old people are portrayed as decrepit and it's funny. Old people are portrayed as ugly and it's funny. Millennial adults are portrayed as selfish and immature, suspended in adolescence. Teens are often portrayed as lazy and unkempt.
Reducing ageism begins with ME,
with YOU. Be aware of how ageism permeates society and how we can all be
advocates for reducing harmful stereotypes. Pay attention to it and don’t
participate in promoting it. More later! AgeDoc
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