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Why Ageism Hurts Everyone

MusingsThose of us over 60 -- and even those of us over 50 -- have a sneaky suspicion that those under 50 are somewhat prejudiced against us. No, this isn't paranoia, it is reality. And it is especially real in the workplace.

Ashton Applewhite, someone who writes about ageism and author of the book, This Chair Rocks, could not have said it better in her recent New York Times article, "You're How Old? We'll Be in Touch."

She asks why can't Americans over 50 find work? Her answer: "The problem is ageism -- discrimination on the basis of age. A dumb and destructive obsession with youth is so extreme that experience has become a liability. ... Age discrimination in employment is illegal, but two-thirds of older job seekers report encountering it."

Later, she makes a wise observation regarding attitudes in the workplace about both young and old workers:

"Age prejudice -- assuming that someone is too old or too young to handle a task or take on a responsibility -- cramps prospects for everyone, old or young. ... Unless we tackle age bias, [Millennials] too are likely to become less employable through no fault of their own, and sooner than they might think."

Finally, Applewhite lobbies for real activism on the issue:

"What is achieving age diversity going to take? Nothing less than a mass movement, like the women's movement... Confronting ageism means making friends of all ages. It means pointing out bias when you encounter it (when everyone at a meeting is the same age, for example).

"Confronting ageism means joining forces. It means seeing older people not as alien and 'other,' but as us -- future us, that is."

These are surely some of the wisest words I've read about age discrimination, which seems to be deeply embedded in our culture. Boomers and those beyond the Boomer generation are, statistically, a significant portion of this country's population, and it is the Boomer generation that holds the nation's greatest wealth. Our sheer numbers alone should give us the power to stand up against ageism. We all should do just that when we suspect someone we know is being discriminated against because of age.

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