Recently, a son brought his elderly father from Rannebennur of Haveri district to Bangalore and took him to a shopping mall. However, the mall security, either out of ignorance or over-enthusiasm, denied them entry due to the father’s attire. As an elderly farmer, he was wearing a ‘panche’ instead of shorts or pants. While we often tolerate the unconventional attire and attitudes of today’s youth, this incident highlights society’s inappropriate and disdainful attitude towards an elderly farmer. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.
Ageism victimises seniors, as seen in the case of Pakkirappa mentioned above. From a very young age, we become aware of our culture’s age stereotypes, internalising them and using them to guide our feelings and behaviour toward older individuals. We also rely on these cultural stereotypes to perceive and understand ourselves, leading to self-directed ageism. Ageism intersects with and exacerbates other forms of disadvantage, including those related to sex, culture, race, and disability.
Ageism is a form of discrimination that involves prejudice against individuals based on their age. Gerontologist Robert N. Butler first coined the term to describe discrimination against older adults. According to the AARP, an advocacy group for people over age 50, ageism is widespread across societies. As social gerontologists, we frequently encounter ‘Ageism in Action,’ which can significantly impact health and wellness of elders. With the population of older adults continuing to grow, finding ways to reduce ageism is becoming increasingly important.
Note: Further reading suggested to have a better understanding of the story.
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