Aging: It’s Interpersonal! Reflections From Two Life Course Migrants
And
Progress on Understanding Ageism, Sheri R. Levy and Jamie L. Macdonald
Review: The powerpoint identifies transitions that elderly people go through in their lives. In addition to
dealing with physical, emotional, psychological and financial changes those who are elderly are often subjected
to ageism. The first article discusses age stereotyping as a form of ageism from the perspective of the aged
authors and the second deals with the concept of ageism more theoretically. .
Reflect: Think about interactions you have had over your lifetime with people considered to be elderly [those
over 65 perhaps]. Can you identify stereotypes within your own thinking? No writing involved here just keep
those ideas in mind for your response below.
Respond: “Ageism includes the wide range of stereotypes and a constellation of attitudes that prevent people
from accurately assessing and responding to social problems and conditions of older adults. Like racism and
sexism, it is a form of prejudice or prejudgment, and a form of oppression. It limits the lives of older people who
are the object of this oppression; it also shapes perceptions of young and old. Both young and old can hold
ageist attitudes. Ageism can contribute to apathy towards the ill treatment of older people and tolerance of
activities which would be unacceptable for other age groups.” [ http://www.lco-cdo.org/en/older-adults-lcofunded-papers-charmaine-spencer-sectionII].
Using concepts from the powerpoint and both readings, write a 3 page essay identifying several stereotypical
attitudes toward the elderly population in Canada and arguing how this might positively or negatively affect
social interaction.