Introduction
This paper provides an overview of Ageism and defines it as a derogatory and negative stereotyping of old people who are regarded as a burden in society. The paper also discusses some myths related to Ageism and studies how the old has been treated since biblical times.
What is Ageism
Beth (Beth, 2003) has reported that with improved healthcare systems and technology, the life expectancy of senior citizens has considerably increased and this has given rise to a new kind of stereotyping called Ageism, for the old similar to racism and the discrimination and derogatory attitude shown toward African Americans and other race of deprived people. This attitude is not only shown by the general public but also by nurses and the medical fraternity who regard old people as a burden and who enjoy social welfare benefits, at the expense of younger people who pay taxes. Ageism is a very malevolent form of attitude since older people do not have anywhere else to go and rely on healthcare professionals to meet their basic needs. Todd (2005) has suggested that in the US, elders are institutionalized, marginalized, and stripped of dignity, responsibility, and power, and were regarded as a burden by their children and the state.
Lindsay (Lindsay, 1999) has suggested that ageism and the stereotyping and aloof attitude is present among nurses and senior nursing professionals. The author suggests that these attitudes are inculcated right from their nursing college days and they continue even when the nurses attain seniority. Very little has been done by professional bodies and the nursing institutions to remove this bias and negative attitude and the author has suggested that measures should be taken and counseling provided to remove such harmful attitudes.
Myths of Ageism
According to Todd (2005), elders were regarded with great respect in biblical times and even in medieval times where the life expectancy was less and if anyone lived beyond 50, the person was regarded as chosen by God for a divine purpose and given great respect. Since in olden times, there were no printing presses or writing materials, elders served as the storehouse of knowledge and were frequently consulted for events of the past and they were valued for their wisdom. Family and village history had to be memorized and repeated verbatim back then and the knowledge was passed on to their disciples and so on. The elders could relax, not work, eat drink and keep merry and assist in the education of the village children. With the advent of the printing press, this changed and history could be printed on paper and preserved so there was no need for the old people. Todd suggests that with the advent of the industrial revolution, families needed to be mobile, live and work in tough conditions, and do manual repetitive jobs. There was no need for historic knowledge as machines did the work. Older members of the family were regarded as a burden now since extra efforts had to be taken to accommodate them.
Davison (Davison) has researched Ageism in colonial Australia and written that the colonial settlers and immigrants who first came to Australia were the young who had left their parents back in another country. The number of people who could be called old was less than one person per thousand. When these young couples had children, these children grew up without seeing a really old person and they had no filial feelings of reverence for the old. As the years passed on, the first settlers grew old and their children and later their grandchildren grew up and came to despise these old people who actually did nothing but consumed scarce resources. With the increase in medication, the life expectancy in Australia rose, and also the percentage of old people. Since there was no tradition of caring for the old, the concept of Ageism grew and now affects almost all people.
Conclusion
Ageism is the negative stereotyping of old people who are regarded as useless and a burden to society since they do not contribute anything but consume resources. In olden times, elders were treated with respect and regarded as wise but with the advent of the printing press and the industrial revolution; elders have been faced with scorn.
References
- Beth Mary (2003), ‘Preventing Ageism in Nursing Students: An Action Theory Approach’, Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, Volume 20, Issue 4, pp. 8-14
- Davison Graeme, ‘Our Youth is Spent and our Backs are Bent: The Origins of Australian Ageism‘
- Gething Lindsay (1999), ‘Ageism and Health Care: the Challenge for the Future’, Australian Journal on Ageing, Volume 18, Issue 1. p. 2
- Martens Andy, Goldenberg Jamie L., Greenberg Jeff (2005), ‘A Terror Management Perspective on Ageism’, Journal of Social Issues, Volume 61, Issue 2, pp: 223-239
- Nelson Todd D. (2005), ‘Ageism: Prejudice Against Our Feared Future Self’, Journal of Social Issues, Volume 61, Issue 2, pp: 207-221