Age Discrimination and Mental Health
Equity, social justice, and activism have all recently been hot topics. Through social movements, strikes, and media awareness, problems such as racism and sexism are not being tolerated. However, there is an almost identical crisis that people turn a blind eye to. This is ageism. Ageist attitudes are causing decreased mental and physical health in older individuals, which is highlighted through social constructivism and internalization.
Ageism is best described by stereotyping, prejudice, or discrimination against any group of people based on their age. Stereotyping is the act of placing labels on certain age cohorts. While many stereotypes are true to some extent, they misrepresent a large number of people who are not defined by those designations. Some of the more common examples include how the elderly cannot use technology, have trouble with physical activity, and are often cranky or stubborn. Furthermore, adolescents are described as radical, disrespectful, and inexperienced. Prejudice refers to our internal feelings about certain age groups. Whether or not we intentionally hold these feelings does not matter. Everyone possesses their own form of ageist attitudes which they develop throughout their lives. In addition, we follow these ideals subconsciously when forming new relationships and communities. These attitudes can often warrant actions, resulting in forms of discrimination. For instance, older citizens are often hired less often, and have a higher rate of getting laid off. This is because many believe elderly are incapable or inefficient.
The negative effects ageism has on overall health can be clearly shown through the ideals of social constructivism and internalized ageism. Aging is most routinely viewed chronologically or in terms of cognitive and physical ability. On the other hand, the idea of social constructivism defines age in terms of shifting social roles and differing life situations. This means we learn to be old in response to our interactions with others (Hooyman 8.5.1). However society points to old age with many negative connotations, which brings negative psychological effects. Elders may feel useless, incapable of performing certain tasks, or unqualified for jobs. In this state of mind, they are much less likely to try new things and operate to their full potential. Overall, ageism can be very degrading, resulting in declines in mental health. On the contrary, physical health is also at risk due to internalized ageism. This is the process in which people start to believe in stereotypes and implement them in their decision making. This is illustrated by healthcare journalist Liz Seegert. She asked the older population if disabilities such as arthritis are simply a product of “old age.” Those who believed age was the reason had higher rates of heart disease and hearing loss, compared to those who said age was not a factor. This portrays the detrimental repercussions of internalizing ageist propaganda. The elderly are becoming complacent with bad health due to their belief that it is inevitable with their “old age.” Altogether, both physical and mental health are suffering from social norms our society has created surrounding aging.
Almost all of us have been involved in advancing ageist propaganda. Whether we are aware of it or not, everyone has contributed to the problem. One common example often overlooked is how conversation dynamics vary depending on the age of the person you are talking to. Many college students would not fully engage in a meaningful conversation as often with a middle-aged adult compared to other college student. While this may not seem like a big deal, the self-confidence of the older individual can take a large toll. This may add a great deal of stress to their lives, which can contribute to health complications down the road. Another simple example can be seen in college classes. When teenage college students walk into their classes, they immediately gravitate toward other people their age in search of a study group for the class. However, it is no surprise that not all college students are the same age. There is a small cohort of older students who still attend all of the same classes pursuing the same degree. Therefore with all factors besides age the same, they are treated far differently by their classmates. Students purposely avoid sitting and interacting with them. Even though they are likely very smart, can help immensely in study groups, and can be a great connection, they are often not given a chance. It is likely very nerve-racking for this cohort of students to be back in college after many years out of school. My ageist attitudes work only to lessen their confidence and increase their social anxiety. In conclusion, everyone possesses some form of ageist attributes, but recognizing the inequality our actions are endorsing is the first step in solving the societal problem.
References
Hooyman, N. R., & Kiyak, H. A. (2018). Social gerontology: A multidisciplinary perspective. Pearson.
Seegert, L. (2016, June 7). How ageism can negatively affect the health of older adults. Association of Health Care Journalists. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://healthjournalism.org/blog/2016/06/how-ageism-can-negatively-affect-the-health-of-older-adults/
