Sensitive Content Warning
Ageism is a form of discrimination and prejudice based on a person's age, often leading to negative stereotypes and discrimination against individuals perceived as too young or too old. Ageism is a complex issue affecting individuals of all ages, but it is particularly prevalent in older individuals. Unfortunately, negative stereotypes and discrimination against older people are often based on unfounded assumptions and beliefs, rather than objective evidence. This can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including social exclusion, underemployment, and mistreatment in healthcare settings. According to a study conducted by the American Phycological Association "in a survey of 84 people ages 60 and older, nearly 80 percent of respondents reported experiencing ageism--such as other people assuming they had memory or physical impairments due to their age." In addition, ageism can also be experienced by younger people, who may be dismissed as inexperienced or undervalued in the workplace. The negative impact of ageism is further compounded by our aging population, meaning there are more older adults than ever. This demographic shift has resulted in an increased demand for healthcare and other services that cater to the needs of older adults, but ageism can hinder efforts to provide effective and inclusive care. Addressing ageism requires a multifaceted approach, including education, awareness-raising, and policy interventions that promote equality and respect for individuals of all ages.
On the left page, I depicted a societal contradiction involving ageism. There seems to be an unspoken desire for perpetual youthfulness in our culture, and yet younger generations are often criticized and stereotyped in negative ways. To convey this idea visually, I created an image of a young girl with clown makeup and a cigarette in hand. The bag she is in is being sold to older generations to make them younger, but the "mask" itself shows the flaws that older generations see in youth. Society often pressures individuals to maintain a youthful appearance and demeanor, yet the same society often criticizes and dismisses the very qualities that come with being young. People are told to stay young, but then they're told that youth is too sensitive, too reliant on drugs, or too lost in their own worlds to be taken seriously.
In my illustration, I wanted to capture not only the prejudice against younger people but also the discrimination that can exist between older people. The right page of my drawing is dedicated to depicting the stereotypes and biases that some individuals hold about the elderly.
Many people still view older individuals as being "past their prime" or as a burden on society. To illustrate this issue, I drew a scene that shows older people being discriminated against for their age. The figure in the drawing is depicted as being "old-fashioned," "slow," and "out of touch" with modern times.
Cherry, Kendra. “Have You Experienced Ageism?” Verywell Mind, May 2, 2022. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-ageism-2794817.
DITTMANN, MELISSA. “Fighting Ageism.” Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association, May 2003. https://www.apa.org/monitor/may03/fighting.
WHO, editors. “Ageing: Ageism.” World Health Organization. World Health Organization, March 18, 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/ageing-ageism.