Ageism: the longevity thief (with Auslan) | Nancy Pachana | TEDxUQ | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Agism, the act of discriminating based on age, is rampant in society, limiting opportunities and robbing individuals of valuable years of life.

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Agism is prevalent globally, with one in two people holding moderately to severely agist attitudes.
• 🛟 Agism affects individuals across the lifespan, but its impact is most significant in the second half of life.
• 🙈 Greater longevity should be seen as a dividend, offering positive outcomes for individuals and society.
• 🖐️ The higher education sector can play a crucial role in combatting agism and creating inclusive environments.
• 🤕 Research, classroom dynamics, and stakeholder engagement can be enhanced by involving individuals of all ages.
• 🎓 Age-friendly universities prioritize accessibility and inclusion for older individuals in all facets of university life.
• ⚾ Lookism, making assumptions based on appearance, exacerbates agism and should be actively avoided.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the definition of agism?

Agism refers to the assumption, judgment, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination that occur solely based on someone's chronological age.

Q: Why are the effects of agism most stark in the second half of life?

In the first half of life, individuals may not perceive agist attitudes as applicable to them. However, as stereotypes persist, lost opportunities accumulate, impacting individuals in the second half of life more significantly.

Q: How do internalized agist attitudes affect individuals?

Research shows that internalized agist attitudes can rob people of 7 and a half years of life. These attitudes limit individuals' capabilities and opportunities, leading to a diminished quality of life.

Q: How can universities become age-friendly?

Age-friendly universities aspire to principles that ensure equal access for all, regardless of age. This involves rethinking traditional age-based activities and incorporating opportunities for growth and development throughout the lifespan.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Agism is pervasive in the workplace, schools, and homes, hindering individuals from fully participating in life.

• Internalized agist attitudes can rob people of 7 and a half years of life, affecting individuals in the second half of life the most.

• Changing behaviors and combatting agism is necessary to create a world that values and includes people of all ages.