Recognising ageist attitudes in yourself or others can be challenging because they are often ingrained in cultural norms and stereotypical beliefs, however, according to data from the World Health Organisation Global Report on Ageism, 1 in every 2 adults is ageist.
Our Voice of Experience research shows that 21.3% of Australians aged over 50 have been discriminated against by their current employer, so, on the wild assumption that we may be consciously, or more likely unconsciously, discriminating against someone based solely on their age, how might that prejudice manifest?
Most ageism draws from stereotyping based on age, for example, believing that all older adults are frail, forgetful, or technologically challenged. This can also manifest as dismissing, ignoring or undervaluing someone's opinion or advice based solely on their age.
In our research, 66.6% of respondents indicated that the discrimination they experienced came from ‘soft’ factors, for example comments or messages from colleagues. This could be the use of derogatory language, using terms like ‘old fogey,’ ‘boomer,’ or ‘past their prime’ or making age-related jokes that rely on age stereotypes, such as “you’re too old to understand” or ‘having a senior moment.’
Soft discrimination, also known as subtle or covert discrimination, refers to indirect, often less obvious forms of discrimination. Unlike overt discrimination, which is explicit and clear, soft discrimination is more nuanced and can be embedded in everyday interactions, policies, and cultural norms. Although it may seem less harmful on the surface, it can have significant negative impacts.
In addition to the harm soft discrimination can inflict on the individual, it can reinforce systemic inequalities by subtly limiting opportunities for people aged over 50. And more importantly, when soft discrimination goes unchallenged in the workplace, it can create an environment where more blatant forms of discrimination are tolerated or even normalised.
Workplace colleagues may not understand that jokes about age related stereotypes are harmful, often through a lack of awareness about their impact and often because they’re seen to be funny.
But the same can be said of sexist jokes, that used to be commonplace in the workplace, which are, rightly, no longer tolerated.
Addressing sexist jokes was one of the early focal points in the movement for gender equity in the workplace because those jokes are a manifestation of underlying sexist attitudes and serve as a gateway to broader discriminatory behaviour. Sexist jokes often rely on and reinforce harmful stereotypes about gender roles, abilities, and behaviours. By making these stereotypes appear humorous or harmless, they perpetuate the idea that it’s acceptable to view women in limited, often demeaning ways.
Sexist jokes are no longer defendable in the workplace, but ageist jokes are, reinforcing ageism’s position as the last socially acceptable form of prejudice in Australian workplaces.
So, on that basis, where do we start and how should we address ageism. Firstly, through self-reflection. Consider individual thoughts and behaviours regarding age, challenge stereotypes you may notice in the workplace and raise awareness of the issue with your colleagues.
Learn more about ageing and the realities of people at different life stages and avoid using age-related stereotypes in your language, even humorously.
And don’t forget that ageism is often described as a prejudice against our future selves because, unlike other forms of discrimination, ageing is a universal experience that everyone hopes they will live long enough to experience. When people make ageist comments or hold ageist beliefs, they are discriminating against a stage of life they will hopefully experience.
Ageism is not just a prejudice against older adults; it’s a prejudice against everyone’s future self. It shapes how we perceive, treat, and plan for our own ageing process, potentially limiting our opportunities and well-being in later careers.
Challenging ageism benefits not only older adults but also helps ensure a more supportive and inclusive society for all of us as we age.