Just like sexism, racism, and classism, ageism is prejudice to a specific group.
Whenever words such as sexism, classism, and racism are spoken about, most people already know that they are going to be expressed through a negative cognitive discussion that involves personal experience or historical references. But some people aren’t as informed about ageism.
Ageism is discriminating against someone because of his or her age. But it is directed more against the elderly.
Alice Fisher, the President and Founder of the Radical Age Movement, believes that ageism is something detrimental to older people.
“Older people are seen as handicapped even though, most of them are not,” Fisher said.
For adolescents, ageism is called adultism. Ageism is aimed at discriminating against older people, while adultism discriminates against young people.
“Young people have it tougher than most people [who are my age] had it,” Fisher said.
Ageism and other “isms” shine the light on prejudiced situations most people tend to encounter. Yes, some people will suggest that they haven’t been subjected to, witnessed or negatively affected. Sadly, those might be the people who themselves have encountered ageism, they just aren’t aware of it.
Ageism is a problem in America. It has been an issue that most Americans encounter at least once in their lifetime. Some people are not educated on the topic but when they are made aware of something, it is proven that people are more likely to make positive changes. So let’s stop ageism, adultism or any mindset that lessen a person’s ability because of someone else’s closed mindedness.
