Two approaches to defining ageism are discussed. The significance of chronological age, both for bureaucratic procedures and for research, is considered. This demonstrates how birthdays are associated not just with changing status regarding employment and retirement, but also cultural transformations. The relevance of research based on age categories is critically discussed. It is argued that, while such research provides essential evidence of ageism, it inevitably tends to homogenize, particularly when open-ended "oldest" categories are used. The article concludes with a discussion of four alternative frameworks.
Defining AgeismThere are two, not wholly compatible, approaches to defining ageism (Bytheway, in press). There is a broad definition, based on beliefs about the impact of biological ageing on people of all ages, which relates to fear and prejudice throughout the life course. The narrow definition is more familiar and straightforward: Ageism is discrimination against older people on grounds of age. Just as women are disadvantaged and oppressed as a result of sexism, just as Black people and other minority ethnic groups are oppressed by racism, so older people suffer from discrimination as a result of ageism.There are two classic formulations of the narrow definition:Ageism can be seen as a process of systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because they are old, just as racism and sexism accomplish this for skin colour and gender. Old people are categorized as senile, rigid in thought and manner, old-fashioned
Ageism' has entered the popular vocabulary. whilst it is easy to catalogue examples of ageism, its definition remains problematic, frequently relying upon parallels with racism and sexism. This paper endeavours to draw out the distinctive character of ageism as it relates to biological ageing and to the measurement of age, as well as to the question of whether 'elderly people' are a minority group. We argue that a radical critique which only conceives of ageism as a conflict between 'society' and 'elderly people' is inadequate. In conclusion, we offer a basis for the definition of ageism and four principles for non-ageist action.
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