Have you ever been the victim of ageism? If so, what was it like?
• Discrimination in marketing
Ninety percent of marketing targets people under 50, what’s shocking about this number is that one-third of Americans are above 50. It is even more ironic that seniors usually have more income under their control than younger people, and the number of people 50 and older is predicted to increase!
• “Old people go there!”
We all have heard this comment in many ways and most often from people the venue is intended to serve. Young adults and sometimes even seniors may find “old people” undesirable.
• Patronizing!
Kind ageism refers to designating protection/benefits to people because older age is supposed to identify a need. Three out of every five people assume more aged people are lonely and many believe their families have abandoned them. While keeping a connection to family members is crucial to preventing loneliness, only one out of eight seniors reported feeling lonely.
• Negative assumptions
Disability is also assumed to be shared among people above 65. However, disability is more common in older people than younger adults; it’s not as widespread as one might think based on ageing stereotypes. In 2012, about two-thirds of people above 65 reported having had no disability.
• Addressing the healthcare system
Research reveals the divide between expert information and the public understanding of ageing. Loss of control and decline is assumed to be a natural part of the ageing process among the general public. In contrast, experts maintain that features of our societies and homes are the key to preserving our health and independence as we age. Addressing the healthcare system without including social determinants of health disregards valuable pieces of the puzzle that define how we experience ageing.
I have been a victim of ageism at Birmingham & Sheffield universities. Both told me I was too old to study and would not finish the course, although I am working in the subject I wish to study and have been for 24+ years.
I remember that an employment consultant told me that at 50, it wasn’t worth returning to University because I was going to retire soon. Had she seen my future, I wonder because I am still working? And that hasn’t been easy since I turned 50, either.
My old workplace – a newsroom – suggested ten vacation days yearly but permitted me to schedule only six at a time. So in February 2019, my spouse and I planned for our 6-day May holiday. We spent on the flight, the rental car, and the cottage in the English countryside.
Then, in April, I was fired. After virtually ten years on the job without any explanation. I was 68 years old. So we said what the hell and tacked several days in Wales and London onto the end of our vacation. It was the loveliest holiday we’ve had in more than ten years. When we back, I got sick and nearly died.
So I made my mind to start writing about my wasted youth, guessing it might be the last thing I ever could write. The concept had been fermenting in my brain for more than four decades, and I kept postponing it. After converting the script into an eBook, it emerged almost instantly on Amazon’s Performing Arts Best Sellers list. I’m thrilled I got sacked, and I’m incredibly grateful for that misspent youth.
I am a teacher who was a victim of ageism two years ago. I had a slight backache. When I wanted to go to class to stand up, I put my hand on the table for support. Unfortunately, my hand hit a cop, and it fell and broke. I heard some age-related comments and insults. It broke my heart, and I could not stop myself from crying. It ruined my day.
I’m just 60 years old, but I’ve been fighting ageism for a long time. After a very successful career in information technology, I’ve always loved recruiting folks I believed were better than me – in the spirit of doing what’s best for the business, not for me. I’ve employed oldsters more times than I want to remember, mainly because they were skilled, experienced, and the best option. What I observe today is far from that; far too many organizations avoid hiring older workers for many reasons, including insurance costs, concerns about hiring someone better than them, or disdain of older people. Ageism is a terrible reality that nearly everyone will face at some time in their lives.
When I was 55, I was “downsized” from a top management position in IT with a big corporation in Jacksonville. Before they got sold to a large financial services company, I complained that it felt like they were getting rid of me (and others who were older). After that, my severance increased dramatically. They bribed me to remain quiet about age discrimination. However, my résumé is solid, but unfortunately, I hide my age-related info on it. Almost every time I had a phone interview or two, I asked to meet with the recruiting manager in person.