The Seeds of Ageism - Assignment Example

The Seeds of Ageism Introduction Prejudice is a discrimination that involves numerous forms that may range from blatant bias and maltreatment to the subtle form encompassing patronising or disregarding people. Prejudice occur due to unawareness and lack of understanding in terms of societal, psychological and poignant relationship of people from diverse groups. An understanding and likelihood is observed to work with familiar group with whom more contacts are established. However, as person becomes old, numerous biological changes occur which may hinder the developmental aspects. This germinates the seeds of ageism. Ageism is an amalgamation of stereotypes beliefs, discrimination behaviours, prejudice evaluations. Ageism is attributed to the changing demographic trends in various part of the world.. Life expectancy is enhanced as a result people live for a longer duration and may lead a healthy life (Marques Presentation FLARE31Aug). According to the United Nations ageing index, the number of individuals above the age of 60 years is equal to the number of individuals between the age of 0- 14 years this highlight the fact that elderly people are equal in number to the young population. Further, Europe witnessed an ageing index of 136.2 in 2007 while it is anticipated to enhance to 229.7 in 2050 (Ageism in Europe). These data indicate that there is going to be drastic alteration in population structure in future which is going to have lasting implication on the society in terms of labour markets, growth both economic and developmental, behaviour of consumer as well as health systems. These implications are not ordinary to overlook as they are going to change the structure of the society. Health systems are going to affect to a greater extent as they have to witness new paradigms. Ignorance of any kind leads of prejudice or ageism. History of Ageism Ageism has a negative implication and it depicts the attitude an individual display towards elderly people. According to Nelson (2002), Older adults in United States tend to be marginalized, institutionalized and stripped of accountability, supremacy and eventually their distinction. Considering the history, people used to respect their elders and provided them great regard and respect, they were considered to be guide and teachers who are experienced to help them to reach the solution in case if any problem arise. It was considered to be divine if one lives for more than 50 years of age (Branco and Williamson, 1982). The present era is considered to be more evolved but witnesses a drastic alteration in people's approach towards the elders. Such changes are attributed to the civilization and industrial revolution. Industrial revolution has made a major shift in the family values as families shift for better job prospects as a result the family structure changed and people became less adaptive. With industrialization a boom in terms of enhanced competition to prove self worth and to be ahead in the competition made individuals self cantered. With the advent of new technologies, health facilities improved to a greater extent as a result the life expectancy of the individuals increased for which the society was not prepared. Longevity promoted greater working by people even at the older age. This was responsible for the negative attitude towards the elderly population. Gradually, this attitude crept in the society to a greater extent and now persists in the societies as ageism. Demonstration of Ageism In Everyday Life Patronizing Language- two different negative communication were recognized encompassing 1) overaccommodation- where younger individuals are over respectful and behave in a decent manner with the adults (Giles et al, 1994). This is due to the stereotype temperament persisting in the minds of people that older individuals have hearing predicament as well as they have diminished intelligence (Kite & Wagner, 2002) displaying the fact that the individual with whom the conversation is going on is aged. The second aspect is baby talk. According to Caporael & Culbertson, (1986), Baby talk is "simplified speech register.....[with] high pitch and exaggerated intonation". Impact of Pseudopositive Attitudes on Older People According to Butler et al, (1991), infantilization generates a divination that generates a message that older people must accept the fact that now they are not independent and contributing and therefore they are liable to adopt passive role. Ageism In The Helping Professions Social workers hold little prejudice towards elderly group rather they help old individuals in their day-to-day tasks (Pasupathi & Lockenhoff, 2002). According to Reyes-Ortiz (1997), most of the physicians also possess negative approach towards the older patients as physicians view them as "depressing, senile, untreatable or rigid". In some cases, physicians may feel frustrated and consider their treatment to be futile (Wilkinson & Ferro, 2002). Physicians treat the diseases of the older individuals as age associated and therefore they pay little attention to their predicaments. Similar attitude is also observed by the psychologists. According to Garfinkel, (1975), older individuals either talk too less or they talk too much which becomes difficult to treat them. Moreover, poor prognosis is also observed in older individuals and therefore ageism is observed in approach of therapists. Elder Abuse The negative approach of the elders is also responsible for the ageism. This attitude forces the younger population to abuse the elders or neglect them or avoid them and gradually this attitude is persistently expanding its domain. Elderly people are liable to abuse like neglect, outright violence, fraud or exploitation. This remained under studied as such abuse are not exposed in comparison to sexism, racism or exploitation of women or domestic violence. According to the survey of Jones et al, (1997), 25% of the participants had training on elder abuse, 63% has training on spouse abuse while the maximum of 87% had training on the child abuse. Research reveals that there is a constant fear in the minds of elders that if they report about the ageism then they are liable to be retaliated by the abuser which is dangerous (Quinn & Tomita, 1986). Research data studied across the world reveals that ageism is an international issue and is not confined to any particular geographical location. Theoretical Perspectives Functional Perspective emphasize that ageism serves an ego-protective function (Snyder & Meine, 1994). Terror could be managed considering the religious approach to buffer anxiety and fear. Conclusion As the age progresses experience about the life and situations also augments. Some individuals keep abreast with the changing trend and update their knowledge and attitude so as to adjust in the discussions prevailing in the social sphere. This enables them to know the trend and know-how of the present situation, the way they think but still no one can challenge age. Still at some juncture because of their looks or less active predisposition they are liable to witness ageism which shatters a person from within. If the outlook of the individuals could be changed then some reformation in psychological dealings could be formulated. References Ageism in Europe. (n.d.) Retrieved from www.ageuk.org.uk/.../ageism_across_europe_report_interactive.pdf?... Branco, K. J., & Williamson, J. B. (1982). Stereotyping and the life cycle: Views of aging and the aged. In A. G. Miller (Ed.), In the eye of the beholder: Contemporary issues in stereotyping (pp. 364–410). New York: Praeger. Butler, R., Lewis, M., & Sunderland, T. (1991). Aging and mental health: Positive psychosocial and biomedical approaches. New York: Macmillan. Caporael, L., & Culbertson, G. (1986). Verbal response modes of baby talk and other speech at institutions for the aged. Language and Communication, 6, 99–112. Garfinkel, R. (1975). The reluctant therapist: 1975. The Gerontologist, 15, 136–137. Giles, H., Fox, S., Harwood, J., & Williams, A. (1994). Talking age and aging talk: Communicating through the life span. In M. Hummert, J. Wiemann, & J. Nussbaum (Eds.), Interpersonal communication in older adulthood: Interdisciplinary theory and research (pp. 130–161). New York: Sage. Jones, J. S., Veenstra, T. R., Seamon, J. P., & Krohmer, J. (1997). Elder mistreatment: National survey of emergency physicians. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 30, 473– 479. Kite, M. E., & Wagner, L. S. (2002). Attitudes toward older adults. In T. Nelson (Ed.), Ageism: Stereotyping and prejudice against older persons (pp. 129–161). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Marques Presentation FLARE31Aug. (n.d.) Retrieved from era-age.group.shef.ac.uk/.../SS3%2011%20Marques%20-%20Attitud... Pasupathi, M., & Lockenhoff, C. (2002). Ageist behavior. In T. D. Nelson (Ed.), Ageism: Stereotyping and prejudice against older persons (pp. 201–246). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Quinn, M. J., & Tomita, S. K. (1986). Elder abuse and neglect: Causes, diagnosis, and intervention strategies. New York: Springer. Reyes-Ortiz, C. (1997). Physicians must confront ageism. Academic Medicine, 72(10), 831. Snyder, M., & Meine, P. (1994). Stereotyping of the elderly: A functional approach. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33, 63–82. Wilkinson, J. A., & Ferraro, K. F. (2002). Thirty years of ageism research. In T. D. Nelson (Ed.), Ageism: Stereotyping and prejudice against older adults (pp. 339–358). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Read More