Creating a new narrative for PAIL Discussion 16 th September 2015 Ageism The attitudes which dominate any society usually reflect the interests of the most powerful and influential social groups ID: 204319
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Slide1
A New Look at Old Ageism
Creating a new narrative for PAIL Discussion 16th September 2015Slide2
AgeismThe attitudes which dominate any society usually reflect the interests of the most powerful and influential social groups
Ageism treats old people not as individuals but as a homogenous group which can be discriminated against Pugh (Salford University)Slide3
AgeismCreates and fosters prejudices about the nature of experience of old age
Ageism restricts the social role and status of older peopleIt structures their experience of themselves“AGEISM IS BROADER THAN AGE DISCRIMINATION” S.Pugh
(Salford University)Slide4
(Butler 1987)
“Ageism is defined as a process of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against older people because they are old just as racism and sexism accomplish this for skin colour and gender.”Slide5
Ageist stereotypes evidenced by: (1)
People over 60 are oldMost older people are in poor healthOlder people are socially isolatedOlder minds are not as bright as young minds
Older people are unproductive
Older people are unattractive and sexless
All older people are pretty much the same
K.
Dychtwald
(1990)Slide6
Ageist stereotypes are evidenced by: (2)
Live alonePoorDepend on young carersAre unhappyAre withdrawn
Live in the past
Are awaiting deathSlide7
Our culture is deeply
gerontophobic. We have a fear of ageing and prejudice against the old (now Baby Boomers) that clouds our perceptions about what it means to grow old in the UK.
Robert WoodSlide8
Neuberger’s Don’ts
Don’t make assumptions about my chronological ageDon’t waste my skills and experiencesDon’t take my pride awayDon’t trap me at home
Don’t make me brain dead, let me grow
Don’t force me into an institution
Don’t treat those who look after me like rubbish
Don’t treat me like I am not worth repairing
Don’t treat my death as meaningless
Don’t assume I’m not enjoying life
J. Neuberger ‘Not Dead Yet’ (2008)Slide9
New Ageism
The Decline SystemEconomic drain on societyTime bombsDemographic tsunami
Robbing generations X and Y
The innocent absorption of cultural signals
Youthful age anxiety
Middle ageismSlide10
M. Gullette
(2013)
THE EROSION OF SENIORITY AND RESPECT FOR AGEING: THAT STOPS AND REVERSES THE MANIPULATION OF THE CULT OF YOUTH AND THE PRESENT NARRATIVE OF FATALISM ABOUT OLD AGE AND OBSCURES THOSE FORCES THAT UNDERMINE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF AGE AND THE FULLEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE OF LIFE ITSELF. Slide11
The Impact
Compassionate Ageism Age Apartheid
Betty Friedan (1993)Slide12
Compassionate Ageing
Older people a problem = we are somebody elseDependency, sickness, deficit = plightImages of old age = negativity (decline and deterioration)We must do something about this decline and deficit (services, responses, initiatives, programmes)
Age has to be avoided = we have to become objects of those services, recipients, Big Lottery Funding, pitySlide13
Age Apartheid
A separation rather than integration into our communities, neighbourhoods, day centres, loneliness, Helplines, residential care, lunch clubs etc.The present service architecture of Adult Social Care?Slide14
New Ageism
The ageing population narrativeFalse notions of dependencySocial isolation and povertyNon affordability of pensionsNon affordability of health and social careDementia TsunamiThe loneliness industry
The Decline SystemSlide15
The PAIL Challenge
Promoting Positive Ageing in LondonKey Messages?Key Themes?Key Challenges?WHAT IS OUR AGENDA FOR 2014-2017?