Ageism, sometimes called age discrimination, is the unequal treatment of people because of their age. People may face ageism if they are believed to be too young or too old for a certain job, activity, or responsibility. Ageism can isolate people from mainstream society and severely limit their opportunities and social roles.
Some people hold oversimplified or false beliefs—called stereotypes—about people of certain age groups. Common stereotypes about older adults may label them as slow, incompetent, or depressed. Similarly, stereotypes about younger people may suggest that they are immature, inexperienced, or unreliable. People who hold such beliefs may practice age discrimination in employment, education, or other aspects of life.
Robert N. Butler, an American physician, introduced the term ageism in 1968. He compared ageism to other forms of discrimination, such as racism and sexism. Today, many governments seek to protect people against age discrimination. In the United States, for instance, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 seeks to eliminate ageism in the workplace.
See also Gray Panthers ; Old age .
