Ageism In Society

Ageing population, in which people are liver longer, is growing worldwide, therefore; it is important to identify current attitudes towards older adults in society. Ageism which is a stereotype and discrimination against people because of their age, this may occur frequently for elderly people (WWK p27). Many factors may lead to the development of stereotypes such as media. Media like newspapers and magazines have the function of informing and reflecting people’s attitudes and beliefs about older people. Chronological age, which reflects the number of years a person has lived, is not the only method to define an old person but it also includes the biological, psychological and socio-cultural processes (WWK p.1). Moreover, physical factors such as facial looks, hair colour and body image have been used as features for defining ageing. Mental alertness and mobility have also been considered important criteria in defining an older person. …show more content…
In newspaper older people are sometimes seen in a positive way. For example, the professor in the first class showed us an article that reported an older woman who is volunteering in a hospital and celebrating her birthday. So, this older woman can be described positively as an active member of the community, sociable, and warm. However, negative perceptions are predominating in the newspaper. For example, elderly people are characterized by having poor health, diminishing mental ability, unattractive, sexless, lonely, weak, passive and eliminated from society. Hence, this has an effect on the way older people are treated in the society and how they see