Ageism in America
The term "ageism" was coined in 1969 by Robert Butler, the first director of the National Institute on Aging. He used the word to describe the process of systematic stereotyping of people because they are old. Ageism is a term that is similar to other isms' in society, such as racism and sexism. "Ageism allows other generations to see older people as different from themselves; thus they subtly cease to identify with their elders as human beings" (Butler, 1975). All people, including the young as well as the old, can be discriminated against based on age. Today ageism is more broadly defined as any prejudice or discrimination against or in favor of an age group (Palmore, 1990).
The Census Bureau estimates that the percentage of the population over 65 will jump from 11.4 percent in 2000 to 20.7 percent in 2050. During those 50 years the population between 45 and 65 will increase nearly 50 percent, but the population between 65 and 85 will increase......
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Approximate Word Count: 1730
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