Ageism, much like racism and sexism, allows people to think of others as "different". The influence of capitalism and culture has led to significant changes in our conception of the old in recent decades; images of the old in modern America, the authors argue, have shifted from that of the vulnerable elderly to that of the "greedy geezer" or burdensome old folks.
Economically, the old are dependent on the young for their well-being. The Social Security Act of 1935 is cited as a key step in the institutionalization of retirement, which defines "old" in years and promotes dependence by the old on the state (and, by extension, the younger taxpayers). Certain groups of people qualify for different Social Security and welfare benefits (varying by class, race and ethnicity, gender, and sexuality), with some people who do not have assets becoming more dependent than those who do.
The authors note our culture's double standard for male and female bodies: "Women are seen to be old at an earlier age than men. . . . Recent attitude polls confirm that the gray hair and wrinkles a woman experiences mark her as old sooner." Those with more wealth are able to afford cosmetic surgery and spend the time to put on more makeup to make themselves appear younger, thereby reducing the effects of ageism, and the authors question the effects on minority women who aren't as sexualized by American culture as white women.
Little is said about the outright effects of ageism, just that all of the "old" are viewed as "alike" and somehow different from the rest of society. This article covers the question of whom is discriminated from whom, presumably for purposes of establishing identity, but this is never made clear.
Relevance: 2/5 (irrelevant)
Salience: 3/5 (neutral)
References:
- none.
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