We have all heard of racial discrimination or racism in the news or in articles or in school or through our parents, friends, family, etc.We have been told that ‘racism is bad’ or ‘never bully someone of colour’, but have we ever even heard of what ageism is?
Ageism is an issue never heard of or ignored which is not given the attention it deserves. The term ageism refers to the two concepts: a socially constructed way of thinking about older persons based on a negative attitude about aging and a tendency to structure society based on an assumption that everyone is young,therefore failing to respond to the real needs of older people. There are 3 types of ageism, institutional, which occurs in institutions, interpersonal, which occurs in social interactions, and finally internalized, which is when a person internalizes ageist beliefs and applies them to themselves.
Some of the ways in which we can stop ageism is, firstly, recognise it. Understand that ageism is a serious matter. No one should be told what to and what not to do. We should spread awareness about ageism in whichever way we can. Secondly, speak up. Whenever we see someone getting discriminated against for their age and being told that they can't do something because of their age, we should speak up for them. This doesn’t mean that we are speaking up because they cant, it simply means that we are trying to stop a problem going on for ages and be a better person. Furthermore,ask yourself ‘ would
like it’. Before becoming a part of ageism or before ignoring it we should always ask ourselves if we would like it, because obviously we wouldn’t, so before treating someone else that way we should think of ourselves if not for them. Lastly we should be inclusive.
Everyone deserves a second chance but more importantly everyone also deserves a first chance, if we don’t give that to seniors then how do we expect people to give us that chance when we are older. At the end of the day we too will grow old, and if we want a life where we have all the chances in the world, then the first step to that is by giving the seniors now the chances,opportunities and the respect they deserve.
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