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IS AGISM/AGEISM A PROBLEM IN CONTEMPORARY AUSTRALIA?

In Pre-Colonial Times the aged were revered by social groups. These were seen as the Elders, the Wise Ones and the Sages. This high status was afforded to them based on their accumulation of wisdom that was associated with their experience and was passed down to the younger generations through story-telling and teaching.

In the Colonial Era old age continued to have connotations of honour and esteem.

The change began occurring during the Industrial Era when aging was seen to have connotations of poverty, isolation and illness.

In today's Technological Era older people in the workforce with more experience are sacrificed to make way for companies to bring in 'new blood' and new ideas.

People today are living longer and are retaining their health due to advances in health care and living standards.

Of all the 'isms', for example, sexism, racism, and agism, it is only the last 'ism' that every person in society will face if they live long enough. Is age prejudice one of the most socially condoned and institutionalised forms of prejudice in Australia today?

We have all heard reports of aged people living on the streets, being physically abused by strangers and their families.

I look forward to hearing your views and participating in some lively discussion.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jan Courtney on July 13, 2012 at 12:22pm

I think this is the appropriate site for the little story below :

Aren't We Fortunate To Be Seniors!

A friend of mine was sitting on a lawn, sunning and reading, when he was startled by a fairly late model car crashing through a hedge and coming to rest on his lawn.

He helped the elderly driver out and sat her on a lawn chair.

“My goodness” he exclaimed, “you are quite old to be driving!”

“Yes” she replied, ” I am old enough that I don't need a license.”

“The last time I went to my doctor, he examined me and asked if I had a driving license.” I told him "yes" and handed it to him. He took scissors out of a drawer, cut the license into pieces and threw them in the wastebasket.”

“You won't be needing this anymore,” he said.

So I thanked him and left.

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 13, 2012 at 12:32pm

Thanks for my chuckle for the day.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 14, 2012 at 8:45pm

I have been watching the advertisments on television for some time now and I can count on one hand the number of older people who feature in these advertisements.

This situation gives the Australian population a negative message about being older. It is all about being young and energetic.

When we do see the older generation in an advertisement it is usually something for 'Should have gone to Spec Savers' once again a negative sentiment.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Bob Stewart on July 14, 2012 at 9:04pm

I wouldn't worry too much about it because we oldies know its the energetic bit that will make the younger ones old. But I did appear in a TV ad once when I was 80 for the Cancer Foundation about melanoma and sun exposure because with an ear missing completely, I was the perfect example for the Slip,Slop Slap campaign. Now you can add the other hand Caroline! (Sorry, it just hit the keys)

Dr Caroline Wright said:

I have been watching the advertisments on television for some time now and I can count on one hand the number of older people who feature in these advertisements.

This situation gives the Australian population a negative message about being older. It is all about being young and energetic.

When we do see the older generation in an advertisement it is usually something for 'Should have gone to Spec Savers' once again a negative sentiment.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 14, 2012 at 11:24pm

Very funny Bob. Once again you are in fine form today. But what about tomorrow???

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Bob Stewart on July 15, 2012 at 5:42am

It's 5 am Caroline of yesterday's tomorrow. Is it that one you are inquiring about? After abluting and big cup of black tea, and a slice of meat loaf cut for my Labrador "jenny" who is the alarm clock all I can say is ,Thank you,for thinking of me yesterday.

Regards 2u2

Bob

Dr Caroline Wright said:

Very funny Bob. Once again you are in fine form today. But what about tomorrow???

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 15, 2012 at 9:18am

Yep that's the one I am talking about but did not need to know about the 'abluting' bit!! The early morning cup of tea I can relate to. Be in touch later.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Bob Stewart on July 15, 2012 at 10:08am

I accept your apology

Dr Caroline Wright said:

Yep that's the one I am talking about but did not need to know about the 'abluting' bit!! The early morning cup of tea I can relate to. Be in touch later.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Jan Courtney on July 15, 2012 at 10:23am

Morning Bob, early morning ablution is essential is it not, in order to feel refreshed, clean and ready for whatever excitement lies ahead. Personally, I prefer a good strong coffee as a heart starter, rather than tea. You beat me up by half an hour this morning so -

May the best ye've ever seen
Be the warst ye'll ever see.
May the moose ne'er lea' yer aumrie
Wi' a tear-drap in his e'e.
May ye aye keep hail an' hertie
Till ye're auld eneuch tae dee.
May ye aye be jist as happy
As we wiss ye noo tae be

Cheers

Jan

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Permalink Reply by Bob Stewart on July 15, 2012 at 11:06am

Aye, ye zeenoo do ye? The Irishman woud tak to be a Scot but woudne noo th' difrnce. But we noo Jan. We noo.

Jan Courtney said:

Morning Bob, early morning ablution is essential is it not, in order to feel refreshed, clean and ready for whatever excitement lies ahead. Personally, I prefer a good strong coffee as a heart starter, rather than tea. You beat me up by half an hour this morning so -

May the best ye've ever seen
Be the warst ye'll ever see.
May the moose ne'er lea' yer aumrie
Wi' a tear-drap in his e'e.
May ye aye keep hail an' hertie
Till ye're auld eneuch tae dee.
May ye aye be jist as happy
As we wiss ye noo tae be

.

Cheers

Jan

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on July 15, 2012 at 12:46pm

No apology intended!! You are a clever bugger!!

Kind regards

Caroline

Bob Stewart said:

I accept your apology

Dr Caroline Wright said:

Yep that's the one I am talking about but did not need to know about the 'abluting' bit!! The early morning cup of tea I can relate to. Be in touch later.

Kind regards

Caroline

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Permalink Reply by Dr Caroline Wright on August 3, 2012 at 11:57am

Sad to hear about the violent attack on an elderly person in Brisbane. Older people are seen to be easy prey to the young because they are seen as defenseless and easier to steal from. Shame of that youth and any who follow in his footsteps.