Ageism Isn’t Just About Seniors: It Affects Younger People Too, All Of Us
When we hear the term “ageism,” we often think of older people—those approaching retirement, being marginalized, overlooked, or discriminated against.
But here’s the real truth: ageism isn’t exclusive to the elderly.
It’s a two-way street, impacting both the young and the old, and its effects reach deeper than we might realize.
Ageism is a ticking time bomb threatening to erode our moral compass. If we don’t act, it will continue to damage our values. We base these values on something as arbitrary as age.
We’ll explore how ageism affects everyone, whether they’re 22 or 62.
More importantly, we will look at how to prevent it from further damaging our society.
What is Ageism?
At its core, ageism is the discrimination or stereotyping of individuals based solely on their age.
While it’s true that older adults are frequently subjected to prejudice—being labelled as out of touch and slow.
They are also seen as resistant to change.
Young people also face their unique brand of age-related bias.
Youth are often dismissed as inexperienced, immature, or unqualified, regardless of their actual abilities or talents.
The problem with ageism is that it’s so deeply ingrained in our culture that it can be difficult to notice. We’ve been conditioned to think a certain way about different age groups. Without realizing it, we perpetuate these damaging stereotypes.
Society’s Double Standard: Age is Just a Number—Or Is It?
There’s a strange contradiction in the way society views age. On one hand, we’re told that age is just a number. It doesn’t define who we are. It doesn’t define what we’re capable of.
Yet, at the same time, age closes many doors.
Take the workplace, for example. It’s not uncommon for older workers to feel as if they’ve hit a career plateau. This feeling often arises simply because they’re nearing retirement age.
Employers might see them as too costly, less adaptable, or a poor long-term investment. Yet, this same society views the young. Those fresh out of university or starting in the workforce are seen as lacking the necessary experience. They are also viewed as unreliable to hold positions of leadership.
So, what happens? We create an environment where no one is “the right age” for the opportunities they’re seeking.
Older adults are pushed out of the workforce too soon, while young professionals are forced to wait their turn. It’s an impossible paradox that benefits no one.
Media’s Role: Ageism on Screen and in Print
How often have you seen a TV show, movie, or commercial? These often portray older adults as forgetful, slow, or technologically inept. Conversely, how often are young people depicted as clueless, reckless, or in need of constant supervision?
The media perhaps is one of the greatest perpetrators of age-related stereotypes.
We see portrayals of both the old and the young. These portrayals feed us a steady stream of misinformation. They tell us what people of certain ages are “supposed” to be like.
This shapes our views on age from a young age, embedding prejudices so deep that we barely notice them.
Consider how older characters in sitcoms are often depicted as out-of-touch grandparents. Their main role is to provide comic relief. This is achieved through their supposed lack of understanding of the modern world.
Or, think about the young interns in movies. They are portrayed as overenthusiastic but wildly naive. This portrayal suggests that enthusiasm and a fresh perspective somehow invalidate a person’s value in the workplace.
This cultural narrative affects our expectations of what it means to age. Worse, it influences how we treat others at different stages of their lives.
If media continues to define how we see age, it’s no wonder that these biases seep into the workplace. They influence social settings. They even affect our self-perceptions.
The Hidden Bias: Ageism You Don’t Even Realize You Have
Here’s the kicker: ageism isn’t always easy to recognize, and that’s what makes it so dangerous. Many of us harbour unconscious biases about age that have been ingrained in us since childhood.
We might subconsciously assume that someone in their 60s doesn’t understand the latest technology. Also, assume that a person in their 20s isn’t ready for a leadership role. This is simply because of their age.
These assumptions, even when unintended, contribute to a culture of discrimination that can have real-world consequences.
Let’s take a moment to ask ourselves: when did we last judge someone’s abilities based on their age?
Maybe they assumed that a young employee wouldn’t take their job seriously. Or maybe it was thinking that an older coworker wouldn’t be able to adapt to new processes. Either way, it’s a problem—and it’s one that we all need to work on fixing.
The Moral Consequences: How Ageism Erodes Our Humanity
Beyond the practical implications of ageism, there are deeper, moral consequences at play.
When we devalue people because of their age, we send a message. This message asserts that external factors determine a person’s worth, not who they are or what they can contribute.
This erodes the very foundation of our moral compass. It undermines the belief that all people, regardless of their age, have inherent value. It teaches us that some lives are worth more than others, depending on how old—or how young—they are.
The danger here is that, by accepting ageism, we are essentially agreeing to dehumanize people. We reduce individuals to stereotypes and strip away their individuality.
And if we’re willing to do this with age, what’s to stop us from doing it with other characteristics? What happens to our society when we see people as categories instead of individuals?
Ageism Hurts Everyone
Ageism is not a victimless crime. It affects everyone—whether you’re young and trying to prove yourself, or older and fighting to remain relevant.
When we allow ageism to persist, we create a flawed culture. This culture values people not for who they are. It values them for how well they fit into preconceived notions of what the “right age” looks like.
For young people, ageism can lead employers to overlook them for opportunities because they see them as too inexperienced.
For older adults, employers may push them out of the workforce. They treat their contributions as if they no longer matter.
But beyond these immediate consequences, ageism has a long-term impact on society as a whole. We devalue people because of their age, missing out on the diversity of thought and experience that different age groups bring to the table.
We create a society that is less innovative, less compassionate, and ultimately less human.
How to Stop Ageism from Destroying Our Moral Compass
So, how do we stop this from happening? How do we prevent ageism from continuing to erode our moral compass and hurt people of all ages?
Raise Awareness: The first step in combating ageism is acknowledging that it exists. We need to be aware of the biases we hold and actively work to dismantle them. This means questioning our assumptions about people based on their age and challenging stereotypes when we encounter them.
Change the Narrative: Media and culture play a huge role in shaping our views on age. They need to take responsibility. We need to push for more accurate, diverse representations of age in the media. This includes showing older adults as competent, dynamic individuals. It also involves showcasing younger people as capable and valuable contributors.
Encourage Intergenerational Dialogue: One of the best ways to combat ageism is to foster understanding between generations. When people of different ages work together and share their experiences, they can break down the barriers. Ageism creates these barriers.
Promote Inclusive Workplaces: In the professional world, employers need to recognize the value of younger and older workers. They must appreciate younger workers’ contributions and value older workers’ experience. This means creating policies that support workers of all ages, offering mentorship programs, and promoting diversity in leadership.
Lead by Example: Finally, we all have a role in stopping ageism. We can do this by treating people with respect, regardless of their age.
We can challenge ageist behaviour when we see it, creating a more inclusive, fair society for everyone.
Gone Viral
I remember seeing a LinkedIn message from Vern Six that had gone viral. It raised this issue again, yet another, but unfortunately common, issue we all face and will face in our lives. Although most of us raise our concerns, we must also penalise companies that believe age is a problem instead of just like a post. There are ways to increase this, like Age UK or Equality Act 2010. If you become literated in this, you will start spotting ageism in job adverts and likes.
What Can Be Done to Fight Against Ageism?
The only effective way to combat ageism is through education.
Companies must prioritize educating their employees about age-related biases, while individuals must be well-informed and fluent on this critical issue. Awareness is crucial for fostering a workplace culture that values diversity across all age groups.
Ageism is deeply ingrained in our society and permeates various aspects of our lives, including films, books, television shows, podcasts, casual conversations, and even jokes.
Addressing these biases head-on can initiate meaningful change within organizations and communities.
Ultimately, the push for change must come from the workforce and the wider population. When companies recognize that addressing ageism is a workforce requirement, they will be more inclined to implement policies and practices that promote inclusivity for all ages.
Education is the first step in breaking down stereotypes and creating a more equitable society for everyone, regardless of age.
Personal Experiences with Ageism in the Workplace
Starting my career early, I frequently encountered phrases like “You’re too young to do this” and, later on, “You’re too experienced for us.”
These statements are all too common and can be incredibly disheartening. Initially, they left me frustrated, but over time, I’ve recognised that this isn’t just unfair—it’s blatant discrimination.
In my experience interviewing numerous qualified candidates, I have seen many talented individuals overlooked simply because of their age.
On several occasions, I was advised not to hire someone solely due to their age, despite them meeting all the job requirements. To me, this is not only discriminatory but also illegal. It’s disheartening to witness so many exceptional people being denied opportunities because of age-related biases.
I believe in building diverse teams—not merely from a moral standpoint, but because if someone can do the job, they deserve a chance to be part of the team.
Age should never be a barrier to employment; what truly matters is a candidate’s ability and potential to contribute.
Ageism is a Culturally Accepted Behaviour.
I was educated to respect our elders, not only because of their age but also because of what they offer to us: stories, memories, advice, and their capacity to see things we can’t. But I was also educated to be aware of elders who are selfish and don’t care about the community or about their impact on future generations. Not everyone is “educated” equally, and that’s normal.
As I approach a certain again, and my professional experience, I fear this will get to me very soon, just like it happened when I began working.
Is it wrong how we treat our elders, teenagers and young kids? The idea of boxing everyone in a category pushes us to believe this approach is correct. When we forget that diversity, respect and imagination is some of the ignition for innovation.
At a certain age, it becomes a burden accepted like math is hard, discouraging most of our kids from embracing this beautiful domain. And the idea that I have done my part now is up to deal with it, is also wrong. What we do today will impact future generations, and what I’m suffering now and also enjoying is due to past generations.
This is not about giving people an opportunity to earn a badge of “honour.” It is about respecting people and embracing the fact that diversity is the best long-term solution.
However, with the “effort” focused on the next creation, AI, we are adding more complexity to our problems that can’t be solved with a simple output of a formula or algorithm. We must not lose what defines us as humans. And Ageism should be taken seriously.
We are Caring Beings.
Conclusion
Ageism, whether directed at the young or the old, is a form of discrimination. It tears at the very fabric of our moral beliefs and forces us to question a person’s value. Judging someone’s worth based on their lived years is irrelevant.
To stop ageism from destroying our moral compass, we need to be vigilant. We need to be aware of the biases we hold. We must commit to creating a society that values people for who they are, not how old they are.
If we can do that, we’ll create a fairer world richer in ideas, experience, and humanity.