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Ageism: meaning, definitions and examples

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ageism

 

[ ˈeɪdʒɪzəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social discrimination

Ageism refers to the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against individuals based on their age. It can affect people of all ages but is most often associated with older adults. This form of discrimination can manifest in various areas including employment, healthcare, and social interactions. Ageism can lead to negative stereotypes and societal views about aging, contributing to feelings of worthlessness in elderly individuals and diminishing their quality of life.

Synonyms

age discrimination, age-bias, age-related prejudice, senior discrimination.

Examples of usage

  • The workplace culture is rife with ageism, pushing older employees towards retirement.
  • Ageism in healthcare can result in older patients receiving inadequate treatment.
  • She faced ageism when her ideas were dismissed during meetings because of her age.

Translations

Translations of the word "ageism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ageísmo

🇮🇳 उम्रवाद

🇩🇪 Altersdiskriminierung

🇮🇩 diskriminasi usia

🇺🇦 вікобоязнь

🇵🇱 wiekizm

🇯🇵 年齢差別

🇫🇷 âgisme

🇪🇸 edadismo

🇹🇷 yaş ayrımcılığı

🇰🇷 연령 차별

🇸🇦 تمييز ضد كبار السن

🇨🇿 diskriminace na základě věku

🇸🇰 diskriminácia na základe veku

🇨🇳 年龄歧视

🇸🇮 starostna diskriminacija

🇮🇸 aldursfordómar

🇰🇿 жасқа байланысты кемсітушілік

🇬🇪 ასაკობრივი დისკრიმინაცია

🇦🇿 yaş ayrı-seçkiliyi

🇲🇽 discriminación por edad

Etymology

The term 'ageism' was first coined by psychiatrist Robert N. Butler in 1969. Butler used the term to describe systematic discrimination against the elderly in society. He aimed to highlight the biases and stereotypes that people held against older adults, which often led to their marginalization. The roots of ageism can be traced back to various societal norms and cultural attitudes that regard aging as undesirable. Over the decades, ageism has been recognized as a significant social issue, influencing policies, workplace dynamics, and interpersonal relationships. The growing awareness and advocacy against ageism have sparked dialogues about the value and contributions of older adults, promoting a more inclusive society. Today, ageism is seen as a barrier to equality and remains a critical topic in discussions concerning human rights, social justice, and the aging population.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,524 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.