What is Ageism?
As Canadian grandparents, we may not know the definition, but we know the feeling. The twang when someone assumes you can’t hear well on the Zoom call or you are passed over at work because you are suppose to be retiring soon or conversely you are hired because having an older worker around shows diversity in the workplace. We’ve all been through it.
- What is the definition of ageism
- Examples of ageism
- The grandparent/ grandchild relationship
- What Canadian Grandparents can do about it
What is the definition of ageism
The World Health Organization defines ageism as ” the stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age; ageism can take many forms, including prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory practices, or institutional policies and practices that perpetuate stereotypical beliefs.”
Although the term was coined over 40 years ago to describe discrimination against seniors, today its use is more broad and touches all generations. In Canada, ageism is considered “the most tolerated form of discrimination.” This, as noted in Ageism: Independence and Choice As We Age
by Revera and the Sheridan Centre for Elder Research.
Examples of ageism
· Six-in-ten (63%) seniors 66 years of age and older say they have been treated unfairly or differently because of their age
• Half (51%) of Canadians say ageism is the most tolerated social prejudice when compared to gender- or race-based discrimination
• Eight-in-ten (79%) Canadians agree that seniors 75 and older are seen as less important and are more often ignored than younger generations in society
• Seven-in-ten (71%) agree that Canadian society values younger generations more than older generations
• One-in-five (21%) Canadians say older Canadians are a burden on society
The grandparent/ grandchild relationship
A study shows the opportunity lies with grandparents and their relationship between their grandchildren.
ScienceDaily featured a study of over 1100 children (ages 7 through 16) conducted by Belgium’s University of Liege researchers highlighted a link between the close relationship between grandparents and grandchildren and ageism attitudes toward older persons. They posed questions about how grandchildren felt about their grandparents, their grandparents’ health and the amount of time they spent with their grandparents.
The results were published in the Child Development journal highlighting that the more time children spent with their grandparents, the less likely they were to show ageism attitudes toward older persons.
There were four specific factors found to contribute to the development of their views:
- Gender (girls were more positive than boys);
- Age (ageism mattered the least to 10-12 year olds);
- Grandparents’ health (active vs frail); and, not surprisingly,
- Quality of contact with grandparents.
Quality of contact was the most important factor influencing their views on ageism. The study showed when contact was good or very good, they felt happy and had a more favourable opinion toward older persons. The children were asked to describe how they felt about seeing their grandparents. Those who felt unhappy showed having a poor quality of contact. When it came to ageist views, they found that quality of contact mattered much more than frequency.
The study’s co-author, Stephane Adam, professor of psychology was quoted in a news release, “For many children, grandparents are their first and most frequent contact with older adults. Our findings point to the potential of grandparents to be part of intergenerational programs designed to prevent ageism.”
What Canadian Grandparents can do about it
- Ageism in our own conversations
- Ok boomers
- Spend time with our grandchildren
- See people as themselves, not their age
- Keep up with technology in the workplace
- Speak up when we hear or see ageism
- Lead by example
Ageism in our own conversations
Whether we are talking to our grandchildren at home or grandchildren aged co-worker, we are guilty of adding to the ageism conversation.
Using these phases only perpetuates ageism by signaling to others that it is okay.
“When you get to my age.” – They should be lucky to get to our age – we are vibrant with wisdom and experience to offer.
“I’m getting old.” – You may feel it some days but it only gives a perception of yourself as negative and lethargic .
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” – Since when did boomers back away from a challenge. Step up and take the opportunity to learn something new.
“You still have time.” – It may appear complimentary but it suggests their age allows them time. Firstly, no one knows how much time they have in their lives. Disease and accidents are non-discriminatory. Secondly, notice how many people are still active at age 90 and even 100.
“I can’t wait to retire.” – No wonder we are asked about retirement. If you mean you can’t wait to leave the organization you are with, say that. Or better yet, change your attitude toward the job you have.
“This technology is too complicated.” – Really? If you are considering it too complicated, you just haven’t taken the time to learn it or practice its use. If you are having trouble ask someone who knows. You will be surprised that the person who knows is not a millennial.
OK boomers
Just our parents and grandparents judged us, we have been known to comment that millennials (some of whom are our grandchildren) are lazy, entitled or unmotivated because they cannot find jobs, or they are not saving for the future.
The “OK Boomer” controversy in November 2019 was popularized as a reaction to a video on TikTok of an unidentified older man, in which he declared that “millennials and Generation Z have the Peter Pan syndrome, they don’t ever want to grow up.”
An iinterview with CTV’s Todd van der Heyden with two millennials, Shannon Burns, CHUM FM host and Duhin Nanda, YTV host, really highlights that this is no more than a younger generation lashing back at an older generation for their barrage of putdowns. It emphasizes that it will pass as there are more important issues in the world. It is time to recognize that ageism has become multigenerational with each cohort both experiencing ageism and expressing it.
Take the World Health Organization’s Ageist Attitude quiz.
Spend time with our grandchildren
Grandchildren learn from what they experience. Show them that life is great at your age – your time with them is valuable and learning together is time well spent. Talk to them about ageism and explore how you both experience it. Make a commitment between the two of you to start fighting ageism by doing one thing – see people as they are not as as their age.
See people as themselves, not their age
Everyone has something great to offer. It has nothing to do with their race, religion, height, weight or their age. When someone is good with technology it is because they are good at it. Referring to them as a “digital native” only denotes they are good at technology because they are of a younger age and grew up with technology. In reality they could be good with technology because that is how their mind works. It has nothing to do with age.
Keep up with technology in the workplace
Our grandchildren are in the workplace now and their digitals skills are in demand. They are taking advantage of opportunity to get ahead just as we did. Allow them to make their contribution with their appreciated skills. A popular description of millenials and Gen Z is “digital natives”. Don’t use the term. It suggests their age and there are many older workers who know just as much about technology.
In the meantime, embrace opportunities to learn about technologies in the workplace and learn from the millennials and Gen Zs. How they use technology to get work done is worth listening to. If it contributes to quality of work and helps us finish our work faster, why not?
Understanding technology in the workplace has its benefits at home too. Transfer those skills to keep in touch with your grandchildren. Do you use Zoom at work, use Zoom to talk to your grandchildren.
Speak up when you hear or see ageism
While employers know they can fight ageism in the workplace through policy and training, there is still a tendency to focus on younger generations. “They are the future” is often heard. Unless that younger generation is the organization’s target audience for product or service, that comment represents a teachable moment. It is worth pointing out that it is discriminatory against older workers. After all if the organization caters to mostly the over 65 crowd, the older generation “are the future”.
When someone says “a senior’s moment” correct them. Tell them that they are not having a senior’s moment and age has nothing to do with it. Simply point out they have simply forgotten a point that will come back to them in a moment. Return to the subject at hand and move the conversation along.
Lead by example
As grandparents, we have a unique opportunity to change how a generation of grandchildren think of older adults. We can lead by example and learn with and from them just by respecting them as we want them to respect us.
“Ageism is getting old. Let’s do something about it.”
Hazel McCallion, Chief Elder Officer, Revera