Ageism

What Is Ageism?

Ageism as a type of discrimination is a condition in which people of different ages, especially in the workplace or social relations, are designated to a second-class position. It is done through either stereotyping, stigmatizing, or assuming about people based on their age. Age can be people perceived as too young or too old. In the world of work, ageism can show up in several forms, such as older employees being overlooked for promotions or job opportunities because of their assumed lack of ability or importance. In contrast, younger employees have their experience questioned or their skills disregarded.

Ageism may also have a social component, where individuals could be denied access to certain areas and made a target of exclusion or being a social outcast based on their age category. Subtle discrimination could lead to declining individual self-confidence, fewer opportunities, and even complications a life. Ageism has to be tackled with ways of raising consciousness, promoting intergenerational cooperation, and adopting policies that enhance the fair and equal treatment of people of different ages.

Example Of Ageism

One case of ageism may be observed when getting a position in a technology startup. Just to remark, it may seem fair to give work opportunities to an older candidate whose experience and expertise match the requirements of a given position. Still, these older candidates always lose work opportunities to the younger applicants. Such discrimination relies on the opinion that it is easier for younger candidates to work with new technologies and become accustomed to working in a company that is fast-paced and possesses long hours.

Consequently, the older candidate will have to go through the ranks of age-based employment barriers even if he is qualified and has an advantage in his potential contribution to the company. Would any employer prefer to have older candidates over other applicants because of the discrimination promoted by ageism? There is a chance that the candidate will miss the employment opportunity, which will further affect him and the rest of society. Ageism in the hiring process calls for employers to acknowledge and refute age-based stereotypes, place the value on age rather than age groups, and institute hiring policies that advance candidates’ qualifications over their age.