Evaluation of The Discrimination Based on a Person’s Age in The American Society

Gender. Race. Age. What do these all have in common? These are the three prime examples of discrimination in today's society. Although ageism is found cross-culturally, it is particularly prevalent in America. While most believe ageism is specifically targeted at the elderly, it can just as easily be found in adolescents. A common example of ageism would be that teenagers are immature and irresponsible, and that the elderly are frail and have the mental capability of a child. Ageism is a societal issue that impacts how individuals are perceived and treated, often leading to unfair treatment based solely on age (Nelson, 2016).

Assessment of Age-Based Discrimination in American Society

On the ageism test, my results indicated that I have an automatic preference for young people over older people. However, I believe that the test was inadequate for truly testing if I had a bias between younger and older generations. I hurried through my test, and by mistake pressed the wrong button a couple of times, which made me have an "automatic preference for young people over older people". If you are going to do a study on ageism and bias, then it would be far more accurate if it was a field study. I am very close to my parents, and even closer to my grandparents, so the results were extremely shocking! Many times I prefer going out with my parents and their friends, rather than going out with my friends the same age as me. During the summer, I was an intern at my mother's office (Occupational Therapist), and I often helped the elderly perform tasks to recover from an injury. By doing so, I developed a great love for helping others, and someday I hope to pursue a job as a Pharmacist. This experience taught me the value of intergenerational relationships and the wisdom that can be shared across age groups (Levy, 2009).

Age Perception in Different Cultures

In my home country, South Africa, aging is perceived as gaining more knowledge, not losing it. To me, age is not a big deal. However, this is partially because my boyfriend is younger than me by 2 years, and my dad is older than my mother by 12 years. If you are in love, what is there to question? I think that in America, people often overanalyze age as something extremely important and therefore a bias is formed. For example, it is okay for an older man to date a younger woman of 20 years, however, in the case of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, it is often viewed as cradle robbing because of our society's views. This demonstrates how societal norms can influence personal relationships and perceptions of age differences (Twenge, 2017).

The Pursuit of Youth

Plastic surgery. Hair dye. Cosmetics. These products are all used as a means of reducing your appearance in age. Do they work? Sure. However, one can only perform so many surgeries, and apply so much makeup to reduce the aging process. Due to theories on aging, (Primary Aging and Genetic Preprogramming) our aging process is due to genetic programming, and our body's DNA genetic code that contains a built-in time for the reproduction of human cells. In a nutshell, this means that no matter how much cosmetic surgery you may receive or how much wrinkle cream you may apply, there is no way to run away from aging. It's funny how young people want to be older, while older people want to be younger, will we ever reach a happy medium? This paradox highlights the societal obsession with youth and the fear of aging, which can have profound implications on self-esteem and societal roles (Gullette, 2004).

Conclusion

Ageism remains a pervasive issue in society, affecting both the young and the old. By understanding and addressing these biases, we can foster a more inclusive society that values individuals for their contributions, regardless of age. It is important to recognize the strengths and wisdom that come with age, while also appreciating the energy and innovation of youth. Only then can we bridge the generational divide and create a culture that values diversity in age.

References

• Gullette, M. M. (2004). Aged by Culture. University of Chicago Press.
• Levy, B. R. (2009). Stereotype Embodiment: A Psychosocial Approach to Aging. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(6), 332-336.
• Nelson, T. D. (2016). Ageism: The Strange Case of Prejudice Against the Older You. In The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of the Internet at Work (pp. 37-52).
• Twenge, J. M. (2017). IGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. Atria Books.