Ageism in 2024
What is Ageism?
Age is one of the first things we notice about a person. Young, middle-aged, around 40, 50, 60 or an “older” person. Ageism affects all ages not just those in their latter years.
From the minute we are born we are taught that we are too young to do certain things. Let’s consider some examples. If you are in kindergarten, you are too young to learn certain things, play with particular toys or play with certain aged children. Then we move into our teens, and we wait until we are of age to drive, drink and join certain organizations even though the military will take this group in they are still unable to have a beer until they are 21 in most states. How is it we can allow these folks to go to war on behalf of our freedom, but are not allowed to have a glass of wine? Makes no sense to me!
We gain a few years and some experience but we in our 30s and are still told we don’t have the experience and knowledge for particular jobs or task (even though we may be outselling, out performing every other person on the team aged 35 and up) Yet, we are kept back because what could a 30-year-old possibly know about being a manager or supervisor?
The first time I ever heard the word “Ageism” was through AARP (American Association of Retired Person) which focuses on issues affecting people aged 50 and older. Beside the fact that most of us do not retire until 65 or older because we chose to work and not because we must work this organization starts recruiting Americans early on and act like we are all “over the hill”.