Table of Contents
Ableism and Ageism
Ageism is known to be the prejudice or discrimination against a person’s age while ableism is discrimination in the favor of people of whom do not have nor, show signs of disabilities. Many common misconceptions are carried, in the minds of people who do not have to carry the titles of disabled, or who have to suffer the disadvantages of ageism (Barber, & Tan, 2018). Ageism is a form of discrimination, which has been known, to take the form of institutionalized discrimination, and personal prejudice, which can in re-turn hinder the likes of anyone who lives with disabilities. Ableism can also be known to be an extremely complex topic simply because it favors people without disabilities making them seem normal in society (Blackwell, Fisher, Buss, & Sturum, 2017). Because people who do not have disabilities do not have certain organized or detailed objectives that they have to follow and live by, they tend to neglect and acknowledge the needs of those of whom are disabled.
Ableism allows sets of beliefs to be practiced on the devaluation and discrimination against people with the physical, psychological, psych iatrical or intellectual disabilities; which often lies on the assumptions that just because they are disabled, then they are broken and in need of fixation in some way, shape or form. Ableism is also known to relate in every culture to the mindset limitations and beliefs about what defines ableism and what it really is. Ablest sometimes have good intentions yet lack knowing how to properly treat those with disabilities. Ageism is the stereotyping of and also the discrimination against individuals or groups of a particular age range. Ageism can be casual meaning that stereotyping carries on for long periods of time, or it can take on a more systematic approach which means that every so often an individual acts on the characteristics to be considered an ageists.
In a systematic approach, ageism can possibly be caused by a factor that is dependent on a situation (Bratt, Abrams, Vauclair, Marques, & Swift, 2018). An example would be walking in a company and forcing people under the age of 54 into retirement while having a preference to only hire people under the age of 40 but over the age of 22. Bratt, Abrams, and Swift, research how although Ageism has no age limit, the experiences of discrimination against elderly are of higher weigh than the discrimination against younger people (Bratt, et al., 2018). Another example of ageism is laws that provoke people ages 70 and over from being able to serve jury duty, or again, older patients no being given the same treatment as their younger counterparts (Bratt, Abrams, et al., 2018). People are seemingly treated different in accordance to age every day in society. Because ageism is not purposely recognized, many may not be quick to notice the signs of it.
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Ageism affects society, and because most of the treatment may seem positive, it has been tolerated a lot more than racism, sexism, and many of the other isms of discrimination (Bratt, Abrams, Vauclair, Marques, & Swift, 2018). Furthermore, it is important to point out that it is possible for ageism to affect younger people; however, it is mainly thought about in relation to the elderly, and can be negative or positive because it is a form of prejudice and discrimination (Bratt, Abrams, Vauclair, Marques, & Swift, 2018). The myths and misconceptions of ageism and ableism negatively affect disabled and elderly people’s esteem, health, and livelihood. This is important for society to be educated in understanding the stigmas given by society to discriminate and their interactions of cognitive dissonance, which are sometimes unintentional and other time used to discriminate and eliminate people of whom are unique.
Ableism and Discrimination
Ableism is a form of discrimination or prejudice against individuals of whom may have a physical, mental, or developmental disability which is known to also be characterized by the belief that individuals with disabilities need to be “fixed” or are not able to fully adapt to society unlike those who live without the stigma of being physically mentally or emotionally disabled. Because of the misconception that comes with being seen as disabled; disabled are commonly seen as having a short coming or imperfection in the eyes of society rather than having a unique difference it has been ignored and less focused on when in fact it should be of great concern throughout society. A research study was done by, S. Megan, P. Paul, and Melody M. to examine the latent leverage of ageism and ableism on the willingness to cater to a family member with a disability or health concern. The study was examined amongst college students of whom were directed to complete an online survey.
The survey measured the association of ageism and ableism. The results of the measured compounds culminated to be positive. If the student received high affective attitudes towards ageists, then tests claimed that they were entirely, and contrarily correlated with the enthusiasm to give both emotional and nursing care. Discrimination against ablest allows those of whom have abled bodies to be viewed a normal and superior to those of whom carry any type of abnormality. Ableism occurs in many countries and has reflection on individuals, societal, and institutionalized attitudes and normalities. Analysis for ableism have been established because of perspectives of what has established what is called normal ability which also gives silhouette to assumption criterion and to physical, mental, and societal environments.
Ableism and Privilege
Ableism is common and everywhere in society. To comprehend exactly what ableism is, we would simply have to first identify the many privileges that are festered amongst people with “able-bodies” (Barber, & Tan, 2018). One privilege that someone with an able- bodied might not have to deal with is pity. Many people with disabilities are often pitied, and treated as if they are enablers (Barber, & Tan, 2018). This however, is a common misconception mainly because, there are many who live with disabilities and still manage to live on their own , cater to themselves, participate in activities that some able-bodied people are not trained to do , work, and do many other norms of society. Because of society’s mental thoughts towards disabilities, they have created a stigma that paints a picture that people with disabilities are both unattractive, and undesirable (Barber, & Tan, 2018). These pictures are painted through the main stream social media, ads, and television. An ablest however, does not always have to endure stigma that comes with having disabilities.
When it comes to working in an environment, people of whom have disabilities are known to either not be able to keep a job or are forced into being laid off simply because they are seen as a hindrance to the type of work they do or simply because their disability keeps them from succeeding in their line of work (Blackwell, Fisher, Buss, & Sturum, 2017). Ableism allows you not have to be absent form work for many days due to symptoms due to disabilities or medical appointments (Barber, & Tan, 2018). They also do not have to live with the stigma of general work place discrimination and not being seen as an efficient worker. Another privilege of being an ablest is, people of whom you are around do not constantly do not think that you need help because of lack to sufficiently being able to master challenges on your own (Barber, & Tan, 2018). This is a problem simply because those with disabilities, are often seen as helpless when in fact they are not; while being classified an ablest, you are also able to perform tasks of daily living, easily.
Assumptions about Disabled
As human beings, it is in our nature to make assumptions about others without fully understanding the person. Society devalues many people with disabilities and has the tendency to assume that they do not want or have the same things as those of a person with an abled body (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, 2017). Because there are in fact different ways in which one would be classified as disabled; not all disabilities are of the same stature, leading not all disabilities to be visually seen automatically. Another assumption about being disabled is that disabilities come in a physical form which could be determined by a person’s gestures and movement or having been affected by how a disabled person may look (Barber, & Tan, 2018). Disabilities can be physical and neurological. Some disabilities do however affect the physical appearance of someone like achondroplasia which is a form of dwarfism that is a stature in height due to genetic or medical conditions (Blackwell, Fisher, Buss, & Sturum, 2017).
Others however, are considered neurological like cluster headaches which are painful headaches that occur continuously in patients or even cancer which can be classified as a disability and at first stages cannot always be seen but eventually takes effect on the outer body. Ableism is shown through non-disabled people’s good intentions (Blackwell, Fisher, Buss, & Sturum, 2017). Ableism rests in the idea of “medical model of disability through the eyes of many medical professionals and care takers. The idea that just because something is unique or never seen before, then it is broke and must be fixed. This is the idea thrown into the heads of society (Blackwell, Fisher, Buss, & Sturum, 2017). Many non-disabled fail to realize that just because something is uniquely different does not mean that something is wrong with it or that it is bad. Society bring about many television stations catered towards medical improvements and shows that surgically fix thing that people do not find normal or attractive about themselves (Barber, & Tan, 2018).
Ageism and Discrimination
As stated, Ageism is classified as discrimination against groups of individuals based on their age. Elderly for example have had increasingly greater experiences with being target victims of ageism, appose to younger people (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, 2017). They are excluded socially in society. As a result of being excluded socially, the health and well-being of elderly tend to have a social cohesion and are impacted negatively. Ageism is said to negatively affect the cognitive, mental and physical health of the elderly (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, 2017). The media and social networks also play a large part in reinforcing the idea that ageism is mainly a large problem for people of age (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, 2017).
When speaking specifically on employment, ageism targets two age groups; younger and older adults. Discrimination plays a large role in ageism in society. Society has stereotypically and negatively perceived older people to be slower and have shorter memory, sickly, and sometimes not able to live in society without a dependent. Falls perception often create bias which can lead to discriminatory thoughts or conscious. When speaking of ageism and healthcare, elderly are quick to either be overestimated or underestimated when it comes to treatment and healthcare concerns. When it comes to treatment for health, many doctors will release the elderly patient with claims of not being able to do much because of their failing health and age (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, 2017). Age discrimination is adverse treatment simply because to judge or treat someone based on their class or category instead of their own personal merit is adverse.
Ageism and benefits
Being victim to positive ageism, is common in society. Ageism against the elderly is widespread and most popular in the United States (Baldridge, & Swift, 2015). Examples of ageism in the United States consists of people not being able to serve on a jury after a certain age or the elderly not being told the same information about their health conditions unlike the younger generation (Baldridge, & Swift, 2015). Ageism can be positive because it has tendency to celebrate, rather than to denigrate the elderly. It can also be detrimental also. Benefits of ageism include older people gaining the respect from society (Baldridge, & Swift, 2015).
The problem with positive ageism however is that sometimes society has expectations for elderly that they can sometimes not live up to. People of whom fester positive beliefs and attitudes towards the elderly, tend to have better mental health (Baldridge, & Swift, 2015). It is believed that stereotypes about the elderly are embodied in the mind at a young age before it is even of importance to people Young children become familiar with the stereotype that come with age. Whether positive or negative, ageism has risks that does more reinforcement of inequality than it does addressing the issue (Baldridge, & Swift, 2015). Although ageism can be positive and benefit it can still turn into discriminative factor.
Ageism and common misconceptions
Some of the most common misconceptions and stereotypes that contribute to ageism is first succession. Many younger people often assume that the elderly have already lived life, and should allow the younger generation to also live life (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, A., Mccausland, & Chen, T. 2017). Second some of the younger generation feel that a limited amount of resources should be spent on themselves rather than on the elderly. Third the younger generation often hold stereotypes about older individuals (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, A., Mccausland, & Chen, T. 2017).
Younger people feel that older adults should not be able to dress young r have the types of fun engaged activities that younger people have or even dress the way younger people dress. Another misconception about ageism is that as we get older our brain power disappears (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, A., Mccausland, & Chen, T. 2017). It is true that the elderly sometimes struggle with neurological conditions like, dementia, sun downers, stroke, myopathy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and many others. However, there are many other, abilities that can help increase the changes of the brain being able, to reason and work beneficially.
Physical exercise and social interaction help the brain to continue working sharply and actively. Another misconception that many believe is that the elderly are unhappy because of age (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, A., Mccausland, & Chen, T. 2017). Older age has been associated with and linked to small minded people with loneliness, depression, and misery. Becoming elderly absolutely does not mean that you lose any freedom in life. It is actually proven that the closer to retirement, the happier a person is (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, A., Mccausland, & Chen, T. 2017). When reaching an older age, you might possibly have more time to enjoy family and friends or take on hobbies and interests rather than having the obligations and responsibilities that you once had before.
Conclusion
Ageism can lead to low self-esteem, and low amounts of self-confidence or motivation to be successful in future endeavors. Elderly ageism can be the leading cause of loneliness, isolation, elderly death, health problems, and lowered self-esteem. Of course there are also many positive stereotypes on both older and younger people. Younger people are often seen as extremely energetic and able to quickly perform tasks and easily adapt to situations while also being open to participating in new ideas. Elderly when working, are often seen as, a more focused on what they are doing, and can possibly be favored in their social environment (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, T. 2017). One of the positive aspects of ageism is that society has the belief that, the older in age someone is than the wiser they appear to be. This is known to be a stereotype that society has gained with the idea that with longevity and life experiences is a great amount of knowledge and wisdom (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, 2017).
Because of this thought process people tend to show a line of respect for the elderly. Ageism and Ableism have many comparisons and similarities. Just like ableism; ageism consists of society’s emphasis on being young and beautiful meaning not being elderly and looking to be disabled. Another comparison is that they are either discriminative thought or act against someone. The difference is that one is of more affect towards or against the elderly and the other has no age limit. Raising public awareness about issues of both ageism and ableism can help with discrimination (Jones, Sabat, King, Ahmad, Mccausland, & Chen, 2017).
Reference
- Baldridge, D. C., & Swift, M. L. (2015). Age and Assessments of Disability Accommodation Request Normative Appropriateness. Human Resource Management, 55(3), 385-400.
- Barber, S. J., & Tan, S. C. (2018). Ageism Affects the Future Time Perspective of Older Adults. GeroPsych, 31(3), 115-126.
- Blackwell, W., Fisher, M., Buss, J., & Sturum, E. (2017). Addressing Ableism in the Common Core State Standards. National Teacher Education Journal, 10(1), 37-43. file:///J:/UHD Fall 2018/Addressing Ableism in the Common Core State Article1.pdf.
- Bratt, C., Abrams, D., Vauclair, C. M., Marques, S., & Swift, H. J. (2018). Perceived Age Discrimination Across Age in Europe: From an Ageing Society to a Society for All Ages. Developmental Psychology, 54(1), 167-180. file:///J:/UHD Fall 2018/Percieved Age Discrimination Article 1 PP.pdf.
- Hutcheon, E. J., & Wolbring, G. (2012). Voices of “Disabled” Post Secondary Students: Examining Higher Education “Disability” Policy Using an Ableism Lens. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 5(1), 39-49. file:///J:/UHD Fall 2018/Voices of Disabled Post Secondary Students Examining Higher Article 3 PP.pdf.
- Jones, K. P., Sabat, I. E., King, E. B., Ahmad, A., Mccausland, T. C., & Chen, T. (2017). Isms and schisms: A meta-analysis of the prejudice-discrimination relationship across racism, sexism, and ageism. Journal of Organizational Behavior.
