ageism

American  

[ey-jiz-uhm] / ˈeɪ dʒɪz əm /

noun

1. discrimination against persons of a certain age group.

2. a tendency to regard older persons as debilitated, unworthy of attention, or unsuitable for employment.

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ageism British  

/ ˈeɪdʒɪzəm /

noun

1. discrimination against people on the grounds of age; specifically, discrimination against the elderly

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Usage

What is ageism? Ageism is treating people of a certain age group negatively solely because of their age, as in Thinking that all teenagers are irresponsible is ageism. Ageism is any form of discrimination against people because of their age. Most often, ageism is targeted toward older people, such as thinking that elderly people are helpless because of their advanced age. However, any age group can be discriminated against. For example, thinking that someone in their 20s is too young to be a manager is ageism. So is thinking that teenagers are irresponsible. Example: When you don’t get hired for a position you’re qualified for just because you’re older, that sounds like ageism.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ageist
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ageism

First recorded in 1965–70; age + -ism, on the model of sexism, racism, etc.

Explanation

Ageism is discriminating against someone because of how old they are. Forcing a worker to retire because they've just turned 65 is an example of ageism. Ageism, like other forms of discrimination, can take many forms. Some of these are illegal, like denying someone an apartment or a job because of their age. A boss who chooses a younger worker for a project instead of an older, more experienced employee may be guilty of ageism. Other forms of this prejudice are more subtle, like patronizing elderly people by treating them like children, or calling them "sweetheart." Ageism was coined in 1969, modeled on racism.

Example Sentences

This latter scale has been published as a standardized Everyday Ageism Scale that any researcher can use.

From Science Daily • Feb. 29, 2024

Ageism, like sexism and racism, is often not overt, but baked into the structures in which people live and work.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2022

Ageism is a contributing factor, Lori Post, the Buehler professor of geriatric medicine and professor of emergency medicine and medical social sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern, told Northwestern Now.

From Washington Post • Feb. 7, 2022

Earlier this month, Porizkova told StyleLikeU’s Defying Ageism video series that she struggled with depression, anxiety and anger following Ocasek’s death.

From Fox News • Nov. 30, 2021

Ageism occurs when people face stereotypes, prejudice or discrimination because of their age.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2021