Ageism

Paper Summary:

This paper contends that ageism is a mental construct--a way of thinking about age that affects almost everybody because ageist beliefs and prejudices are so widespread in American society. It looks at how negative stereotypes and beliefs about older people form the basis of ageism, and how there are several theories about why these ageist attitudes develop.

From the Paper:

"The importance of avoiding signs of age is underlined by the fact that youthfulness is a major incentive to sell products; thus, all of us are surrounded every day on all sides with media messages about the need to stay young. To make matters worse for the older person, Elwood (1972) points out that hiding old age is difficult (and at some point, impossible). Canes, hearing aids, and walkers as well as sagging, wrinkled skin, make old people very visible, and many younger people view these signs of advanced age with repugnance. It is probably fair to say, however, that no matter how old they look, people do not lose their feelings or become less sensitive to rejection, insults, and hurtful attitudes toward age. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Elwood, T. W. (1972). Old age and the quality of life. Health Services Reports, 87 (10, 919-931.
• McGuire, S. L. (1993). Promoting positive attitudes toward aging: Literature for young children. Childhood Education, 69 (4), 204-211.
• Roszak, T. (2002). Why grey matters. New Scientist, 175 (2358), 44-48.
• Stloukal, L. (2001). Rural population aging in poorer countries: Possible implications for rural development. Report of the Sustainable Development Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:. Retrieved 3 December 2007 from http://www.fao.org/sd/2001/pe0501a_en.htm
• Traxler, A. J. (1980). Let's get gerontologized: Developing a sensitivity to aging, the multi-purpose senior center concept: A training manual for practitioner's working with the aging. Springfield, IL: Illinois Department of Aging.

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• Research Paper # 91767 : "Health Professionals and Ageism"

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