INTRODUCTION
In this essay, I will define, outline, and discuss ageism. I will further give examples of two situations for which I believe age discrimination would be acceptable and two more situations for which I believe age discrimination would not be acceptable, with explanations of my reasoning for each scenario. I will then discuss whether or not older people are entitled to protection from employment discrimination as a class and how might a law protecting older people from discrimination function.
AGE DISCRIMINATION
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ageism as, “prejudice or discrimination against a particular age-group and especially the elderly.” During the 1950s and 1960s in the United States, age discrimination had reached …show more content…
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was passed to protect homebuyers and renters alike, from discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status and disability, however age was not covered and remained a legal option for discrimination. So in 1995, the Housing for Older Persons Act was passed, which allowed for age restricted communities to reserve 80% of its units for the occupancy of persons 55 years of age and older. Age restricted or senior communities are alluring to those 55 and older not only because of the discrimination protection, but for the array of age appropriate benefits they offer. Many senior communities boast of offerings such as a sense of community where most everything you would need or simply desire is usually within walking distance from your front door. In these communities, there are amenities such as clubhouses, fitness centers, social gathering accommodations, and swimming pools. There has also been a trend in community organizers being employed by senior centers that plan weekly and monthly classes and activities both on-site and off-site for its residents. The sense of community, freedom of being independent, and security of dwelling amongst people with greater similarities is what makes senior communities successful and age discrimination …show more content…
I’m not sure exactly when or how the senior discounts began, but I do remember going shopping with my grandmother when I was a little girl and the cashiers of a few selective stores, who were similar in age would ask her if she wanted her senior discount, to which she replied, “Of course.” The vast majority of retailers today offer some sort of senior discount; whether for travel on hotels, car rentals and flights, or for food at restaurants and grocery stores alike. The list of senior discount offerings, seems unending. In fact, there are websites that exist exclusively to provide listings of patrons who offer senior discounts and correspondingly, there are additional sites like aarp.com that offer a plethora of senior or retiree benefits ranging from insurance to travel and automotive, and have even secured nationally recognized discounts and savings for their members. Furthermore, many states have employed what is called a Department of Aging where it caters to its senior communities by offering such support as health resources, long-term care recommendations, and other beneficial information. The state of Ohio goes a step further and automatically sends each of its residents who are 60 years and older a discount card that is recognized at over 20,000 business state-wide. (aging.ohio.gov). A large part of the senior and retirement population are living
In this essay, I will define, outline, and discuss ageism. I will further give examples of two situations for which I believe age discrimination would be acceptable and two more situations for which I believe age discrimination would not be acceptable, with explanations of my reasoning for each scenario. I will then discuss whether or not older people are entitled to protection from employment discrimination as a class and how might a law protecting older people from discrimination function.
AGE DISCRIMINATION
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ageism as, “prejudice or discrimination against a particular age-group and especially the elderly.” During the 1950s and 1960s in the United States, age discrimination had reached …show more content…
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was passed to protect homebuyers and renters alike, from discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status and disability, however age was not covered and remained a legal option for discrimination. So in 1995, the Housing for Older Persons Act was passed, which allowed for age restricted communities to reserve 80% of its units for the occupancy of persons 55 years of age and older. Age restricted or senior communities are alluring to those 55 and older not only because of the discrimination protection, but for the array of age appropriate benefits they offer. Many senior communities boast of offerings such as a sense of community where most everything you would need or simply desire is usually within walking distance from your front door. In these communities, there are amenities such as clubhouses, fitness centers, social gathering accommodations, and swimming pools. There has also been a trend in community organizers being employed by senior centers that plan weekly and monthly classes and activities both on-site and off-site for its residents. The sense of community, freedom of being independent, and security of dwelling amongst people with greater similarities is what makes senior communities successful and age discrimination …show more content…
I’m not sure exactly when or how the senior discounts began, but I do remember going shopping with my grandmother when I was a little girl and the cashiers of a few selective stores, who were similar in age would ask her if she wanted her senior discount, to which she replied, “Of course.” The vast majority of retailers today offer some sort of senior discount; whether for travel on hotels, car rentals and flights, or for food at restaurants and grocery stores alike. The list of senior discount offerings, seems unending. In fact, there are websites that exist exclusively to provide listings of patrons who offer senior discounts and correspondingly, there are additional sites like aarp.com that offer a plethora of senior or retiree benefits ranging from insurance to travel and automotive, and have even secured nationally recognized discounts and savings for their members. Furthermore, many states have employed what is called a Department of Aging where it caters to its senior communities by offering such support as health resources, long-term care recommendations, and other beneficial information. The state of Ohio goes a step further and automatically sends each of its residents who are 60 years and older a discount card that is recognized at over 20,000 business state-wide. (aging.ohio.gov). A large part of the senior and retirement population are living