Is ageism a big issue in Canada?
Ageism has become one of Canada’s most tolerated forms of social discrimination, and a new survey concludes that so many Canadians look down on seniors. A poll of 1,500 found eight in ten Canadian believes seniors above 75 are seen as less critical and are ignored compared to younger generations. Six in ten seniors above 66 say they have been mistreated because of their age, while 35 percent of Canadians accept they’ve treated someone differently because of their age.
Based on the survey, the three most common forms of age discrimination in Canada are:
• Being neglected or treated like, they are invisible (41 percent)
• Being treated like they have nothing to offer (38 percent)
• Thinking seniors are incompetent (27 percent)
Jane Barratt, the secretary-general of the International Federation on Ageing, says it’s unfortunate that many Canadians have such negative beliefs about ageing and the importance of seniors’ peace of mind, particularly since almost all of us will become seniors ourselves a day. According to her, “By 2050, one in four Canadians will be a senior, and we’ll need to watch our behaviour since ageism is alongside racism and sexism as social prejudices go.”
But remember, ageism is a serious problem not only in Canada but worldwide. The poll found that 89 percent of Canadians associate ageing with adverse consequences such as being alone and losing self-sufficiency. And yet, older Canadians believe “age is just a number.”
In fact, forty percent of those above 66 say they believe the “best is yet to come.”
“As we grow older, we become much more optimistic,” says Barratt.
“Younger Canadians might see older people as difficult and grumpy and not much involved in the community. But that’s an absolute misunderstanding that we need to end.”
Yes, age discrimination exists in Canadian society, and it’s an issue here. People won’t confess it openly because of the regulations, but they do it secretly. For over 37 years, I’ve been a Professor of Art & Design, teaching and researching at top universities worldwide, the United States, Finland, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the Middle East, to name a few. Since our return to our homeland of Canada in October 2016, I’ve had a difficult time finding part-time work in Ontario to support my family! They didn’t explain why I was not given a position in a field with substantial expertise and a strong reputation. Canadian seniors experience prejudice in a variety of ways. They are at risk of financial exploitation, physical abuse, and social isolation. They’re usually financially challenged. It’s also easy to get away with since it’s difficult to prove.
The fact that a phenomenon called ‘ageism’ exists has a lot to say. I guess people believe that those with grey hair are from outer space. Ageing is a normal part of life; most people believe ageing or being old is a bad thing, and some people never think of growing older; it’s like it only happens in movies!
Yes, ageism exists, and it is a big issue. If there weren’t any laws against age discrimination, most people after 50 or so would be unemployed. And it’s not just the workplace; you can see it everywhere. There are anti-aging face creams available. Why? Is ageing a terrible thing? Is it like a virus, and the cream is anti-virus?
Ageism is a big issue, not only in Canada but in most countries. Let’s look at it from two different aspects. First of all, fewer people worldwide know about ageism and its destructive effects on seniors’ lives, just because of the lack of information and valuable sources. Second, ageism is not taken so seriously compared to other discriminations. As a result, it doesn’t look like a severe issue for people and society to demand a solution from the government and related establishments. However, Canada’s government provides a better situation to decrease the ageism and social behaviours related to it. Any behaviour against senior citizens or any discrimination will face legal responses as a consequence. A study shows that about 41 percent of seniors have experienced ignorance and underestimation caused by younger people, health care professionals, and even the government itself. So obviously, there’s still a lot to do about ageism in Canada.
