Redefining Ageism

How do we define ageism? One professor argues we can do better than the standard definition of ageism as “stereotyping, prejudice and/or discrimination based on age.”

What if a stereotype is true, or is true of an individual? What if they are frail, or wrinkled, etc.? Does this mean that they should be excluded/marginalized? If we are going to fight ageism, in my opinion we need to be able to validate those stereotypes in the sense of being able to say that a person is valuable regardless of the extent to which it fits them.

SOURCE: This Chair Rocks • AUTHOR: Toni Calasanti • LAST UPDATED: August 20, 2021