Why Does Ageism Occur?

Why Does Ageism Occur
We are a capitalistic society in America, Which basically means we all have to earn money and provide for ourselves. This makes us very competitive against each other. Especially with companies are wanting the best workers and workers are wanting the best jobs. So companies often look down on older workers because they are not in their prime condition or they believe they are not as capable as someone younger which is not always true. And since seniors sometimes struggle to earn as much money as they once had throughout their life or lose the ability to provide and take care of their self they are often looked down upon by society. Even though a lot of seniors are still able to provide and take care of them selves they tend to get stereotyped into a category they do not belong in. The fact is we all grow old and we should not cast stereotypes and judgments against seniors, it is the same thing as casting the stereotype onto our future self. These people who are treated as second class citizens were once the workforce and the fathers/mothers of an earlier generation and have helped pave the way for younger generations to come and should be treated with respect.

Ageism Article

I would like to share this article i think it shows and explains ageism well. Here is a quote from the article.

For thousands of American workers, it’s the same message they claim to hear on the job. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has received more than 19,000 age discrimination complaints in each of the past two years, and has helped win tens of millions of dollars in settlements.

The article is from 2004 but it is still good please check the full article here.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5868712/ns/health-aging/

Discrimination of Seniors

Discrimination of Seniors occurs on many personal levels for the elderly.
Many seniors would agree that peoples actions and beliefs are very discriminatory toward them. These beliefs are often held against seniors inability to preform physical events/actions, like playing a sport causally with their grandchildren or occasionally working out. They are also discriminated against when it comes to employment. Most people over the age of 50 face problems with being hired or receiving promotions due to their age. Companies also tend to layoff the older or most experienced workers rather than the younger.

The Elderly and Driving

The Elderly and Driving

People often discriminate against older drivers as we all know. I am sure most people know what i am talking about when people say "Grandpa Driver". I think this is another awful stereotype the elderly are put into. Seniors over the age of 65 or 70 are often forced to retake driving test and have more strict rules on when there drivers license get taken away. I think we all have a mental image of someone over the age of 65 that looks very old and in need of help and assistance when that is not always the case we always stereotype people because that is what the media has taught us best to do in America. I think it is a shame and to stereotype against seniors is like stereotyping against your older future self.

interesting video on ageism

This video is a good representation on how older people feel about ageism

i think its important to be aware of older generations opinion on how they want to be treated because we will all hopefully be that old one day

The Stigma Associated with Age

In the USA Hollywood and the media obsess over the young and attractive. In many cultures around the world the old were treated as the most respected and admired in the society. In the United States people tend to look down on the older generation and treat them as if they are incapable of doing normal everyday things. This is mostly in my opinion of how the media has attached a stigma to being old. This stigma leads to stereotyping most elderly people as handicapped or helpless. We treat old people as secound class citizens and do not consider them a major help to society.

Ageism and how it has affected you

Ageism effects the old and young, it even played a big part in the 2008 presidential election with John McCain. Most people have already experienced ageism or are going to eventually experience it. I would like to know/think about how it has already effected you or how you think i could effect you in the future. I think its important for everyone to acknowledge the fact that ageism exist and effects almost everyone in at least one part or their life.