How does ageism affect self-esteem?
In my opinion, it crushes an individual’s self-worth. Not only that, but also I believe it brings some severe mental and physical health consequences, such as a less will to live, a lower desire to maintain a healthy lifestyle, slower recovery from sickness, higher stress, and a shorter life expectancy. If you look at it closely, our entire society tells seniors that they are useless, undesirable, and a liability to others.
It teaches younger people that becoming old is terrible, and being one is even worse. Such things cause them to have difficulty with even the most basic daily routines. Many of these negative consequences fade when older adults don’t believe they fit that stereotype. Rejecting stereotypes lessens the odds of developing psychological disorders such as PTSD or anxiety, as well as physical decline. We all can imagine the heartache they get from being a subject to those stereotypes.