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Posted: April 21st, 2023
Ageism Through the Ages
Ageism, or discrimination based on age, has been a societal issue for centuries. However, its understanding and manifestations have evolved over time. This paper will explore how ageism was viewed and expressed in the 18th century compared to the modern 21st century, drawing on scholarly sources.
In the 18th century, ageism centered more around the concept of “senescence” which viewed old age as an inevitable process of physical and mental decline (Angus & Reeve, 2006). Older individuals were often perceived as a burden on families and communities due to greater health issues and reduced productivity in an era when manual labor dominated the economy. Longevity was lower, so the elderly population was smaller. As a result, ageism in the 18th century took a more individualistic form through stereotypes of older adults as frail, helpless or a drain on resources (Angus & Reeve, 2006).
The industrial revolution of the 19th century began changing views and experiences of aging. Medical advances increased life expectancy while industrialization reduced the need for manual labor (Angus & Reeve, 2006). Older adults were able to remain active contributors in their families and local economies for longer. However, ageism persisted through stereotypes that depicted the elderly as outdated, helpless or a financial burden (Angus & Reeve, 2006).
In the 21st century, longevity has increased life expectancy further but societal attitudes and structures have not kept pace (WHO, 2022). As a result, modern ageism manifests more subtly. For example, age barriers in employment force many willing and able older workers out of the job market (Ng & Law, 2018). Marketing and media frequently promote anti-aging and underrepresent older characters, perpetuating the message that aging is undesirable (Nelson, 2016).
Even subtle, everyday ageism has negative health impacts on older adults. A 2022 study found that experiences of everyday ageism are associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline and mental health issues in older Americans (Donnellan et al., 2022). This highlights the need to address both overt and covert forms of ageism.
While more progress is still needed, there is growing recognition that ageism is a social determinant of health (WHO, 2022). Researchers are working to quantify ageism and promote intergenerational solidarity through concepts like age-friendly communities (Buffel et al., 2018). International organizations like the WHO and UN have designated this decade the “Decade of Healthy Aging” with a focus on combating ageism globally (WHO, 2022). With an aging population, addressing ageism will be crucial to ensuring older adults can age actively and healthily.
In conclusion, while ageism has existed for centuries, its understanding and impact have evolved over time. In the 18th century, ageism centered on physical and mental decline, whereas modern ageism manifests more subtly yet still negatively impacts older adult health. Growing recognition of ageism as a social issue indicates progress, but continued efforts are needed to promote age-inclusive policies and combat ageist attitudes.
References:
Angus, J., & Reeve, P. (2006). Ageism: A threat to “aging well” in the 21st century. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 25(2), 137–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464805285745
Buffel, T., Handler, S., & Phillipson, C. (2018). Age-friendly cities and communities: A global perspective. Policy Press.
Donnellan, M. B., Ben-David, S., Luhmann, C. C., Durbin, C. E., & Hayden, E. P. (2022). Experiences of everyday ageism and the health of older US adults. JAMA Network Open, 5(4), e226359. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.6359
Ng, T. W., & Law, A. (2018). Addressing ageism at work. In Oxford research encyclopedia of psychology. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.227
Nelson, T. D. (2016). Promoting healthy aging by confronting ageism. American Psychologist, 71(4), 276–282. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0040221
WHO. (2022, March 30). Ageism. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1
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