AGEIST STEREOTYPES AND THE INTERGENERATIONAL REENGAGEMENT OF OLDER ADULTS

In many traditional societies across the world, aging is viewed positively and older adults are fully integrated into their community, holding positions of influence and respect. In contrast, gerontophobia and gerontological illiteracy in most developed societies reinforces ageism--prejudice and discrimination against older adults--that estranges generations. In this three year study we examine the perceptions and representations of aging and old age of 1,034 undergraduate students completing introductory courses at six universities across the United States. The study examined views and representations of aging and old age. Students were asked to provide an age at which they considered an individual to be old, to list words they associated with “old person” and “grandma/grandpa,” and to draw a sketch representing “aging.” Findings indicate that (1) students consider a person to be old in the United States at 65 years of age, (2) have a far more positive view of older adults they know personally (i.e. their grandparents) than older adults as a category; and (3) images of aging, as represented in hand drawn sketches, are predominantly negative; they focus on a relatively short period at the end of life and are pervaded by concern for time, physical decline, medical care, institutionalization, and death. The findings reinforce the need for renewed efforts in developed societies to combat age stereotyping and ageism through gerontological education in order to facilitate the intergenerational reengagement of older adults as lifelong contributors to community life and culture.