(IMAESCII516) Article Review 2: 'The strange case of prejudice against the older you' (2011)

Article Reviewed:

Nelson, T. D. (2011). Ageism: The strange case of prejudice against the older you. In R. L. Wiener, & S. L. Willborn (Eds.), Disability and aging discrimination (pp. 37-47). Springer.

With the American society placing importance on youth development instead of the elders even in the spaces of learning, the chapter opened the discussion with a claim that the advent of new technologies have displaced the preferential status accorded to elders as the ‘sole repository of information’. 'Fear of ageing and death' among the Americans have largely influenced their preference towards the youth and in choosing ‘youthfulness’ as a lifestyle. 

The Terror Management Theory also offered an explanation why Americans affirm the notion that elderly and death are closely associated to the ‘negative’ emotional, mental, and physical manifestations experienced by the elderly persons. Using this perspective to connect the theory to the stereotypes given to adult and elderly in their daily lives, the paper also described some of the challenges adults face in their respective workplaces and how these stereotypes have been institutionalized in many forms (at schools, media and print, etc.). 

I found that the comment about older persons themselves have become conduits to propagate ageism to be very interesting. However, I think that this was not really emphasised in the paper and could have been given more focus and elaboration. Such narratives are extremely sensitive in nature and must be paid attention by policymakers and help them identify how these workers could be properly given enough support and training to handle their professions in assisting the elders well. 

Lastly, the efforts to reform schools and curriculum to become more inclusive have become more important in order to enable participation of elderly learners in the learning activities. I observed that the paper could have offered more concrete examples of solutions and frameworks that policymakers and educational administrators could ideate and implement. 

Zumba workout sessions bring together both elderly and middle-aged persons to develop physical development and breaking stereotypes that only able-bodied individuals are able to do it. Can we also do the same for education? (Photo by McRhon)