Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback Edited Legal Collections Data

"Foreword: ageism affects all of us negatively – and the law can help" [2018] ELECD 1191; in Doron, Israel; Georgantzi, Nena (eds), "Ageing, Ageism and the Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) xi

Book Title: Ageing, Ageism and the Law

Editor(s): Doron, Israel; Georgantzi, Nena

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781788972109

Section Title: Foreword: ageism affects all of us negatively – and the law can help

Number of pages: 4

Extract:

Foreword: ageism affects all of us negatively ­ and the law can help Ageing has become an almost universal experience. A century ago, only a small minority of the population was fortunate enough to live up to old and very old age. Since then, life expectancy has increased considerably, in many countries coming close to (or exceeding) the age of 80 years. This is good news: we are able to live a full life span, from childhood and adolescence over young and middle adulthood to old age. Compared to the living situation of older people a century ago, in many countries the material living conditions of older people with respect to income and wealth as well as health and long-term care have improved, although there are still large inequalities between and within countries. Despite the undeniable progress in life expectancy and the standard of living, we are struggling with stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination concerning older people. These stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination are the basis for ageism, the complex and usually negative social construction of old age. Ageism is based on social constructions. It is manifested in the ways we think, feel and act towards age and ageing ­ and these social constructions influence the way people grow old. This concerns not only "them", but all of us, as we move towards old age. Ageism restricts the realm of opportunity for older people: societal norms control the way older people are allowed to behave. Just think about indignant responses when older people ...