BY ELLEN J. HAHN (AGE 71)
The blatant ageism encircling the 2024 Presidential campaign is disgusting and dangerous. Age has taken center stage in our political discourse. A recent opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, “Trump and Biden, Two Old Men Facing Armageddon,” is symbolic of the persistent bias against aging in our society. Unfortunately, age-based discrimination is common in the workplace; 3 in 5 older workers report either seeing or experiencing age-based discrimination, like not being selected for a job interview or training opportunity.
The President of the United States has a job description. The American voter — as with any employer — is expected to select the best candidate based on the job description. According to Article II, section 1. of the U.S. Constitution, the President’s job is to faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States…to the best of their ability to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.
To be eligible for President, the candidate must be at least 35 years of age, but there is no upper limit for a good reason. Just as all people are different, older adults have diverse interests, needs, skills, abilities, and experience. An older adult adapts and grows over a lifetime – adding value to the job and the entire enterprise. And just as with any job, it is the Presidential candidate’s skills, abilities, experience, and integrity that count.
Older adults live longer, work longer, and are a vast, untapped resource in the marketplace. Over the next decade, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) predicts that workers 75 and older will be the only age segment of our workforce to grow. There is no room for ageism as we go about hiring our next President.
Ageism is so pervasive in every aspect of our lives that it has become invisible. But, by 2030 – in just six years – 1 in 5 people living in the U.S. will be age 65 or older. The fact is – we are all aging – Republicans and Democrats alike. Aging is a lifelong process; we all age every minute of our lives. But many people fall into the ageism trap regardless of age, job title, or political party. Ageism is holding us back.
Ageism is defined as stereotyping (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) against individuals or groups based on their age. Ageism is a form of societal bullying – a pattern of repeatedly humiliating older adults or the process of aging. Ageism has become a dangerous habit. In fact, ageism has become a socially acceptable form of prejudice. There are too many false notions about growing older. Aging is neither good nor bad, yet harmful ageist messages are everywhere.
It is no mistake that most people view aging as negative. Ageism is pervasive in the mass media. Ads, greeting cards, and news stories often stereotype older adults as disabled or in decline (physically and cognitively), incompetent, sick, frail, weak, or lonely. Ads for anti-aging skin products, for example, perpetuate the myth that aging is undesirable, ugly, and scary. Research shows that pervasive negative age stereotypes change the way we see ourselves.
Ageism can lower memory performance in older adults and their will to live, leading to a shorter life span. When society is ageist, older adults may experience stigma, feel robbed of their sense of purpose, and feel ashamed, unequal, or see themselves in a negative light. Ageism leads to unfair treatment of older adults.
The science is clear: ageism has serious negative effects. Ageism can lead to a whole host of health problems, including but not limited to Alzheimer’s disease, suicide, and depression. Research shows that people with positive attitudes toward aging live 7.5 years longer than those who think, feel, and act with a negative view of aging.
Our society has given the words “old” and “aging” a bad reputation and it is hurting the public’s health. Words like “the aged,” “senior citizens,” and “elderly” can perpetuate negative emotions and attitudes toward aging and foster ageist bullying. Use “older adults or older people” instead. The reality is that many older adults are leading longer, healthy lives. There is nothing shameful about aging, so avoid use of “a certain age.” It is urgent that we change the conversation about aging.
What can be done to dismantle ageism in our political discourse? First, vote for the candidate based on their skills, abilities, experience, and integrity—not based on their age. Second, treat older adults with fairness and dignity by rejecting ageism in all its forms, especially in policy and politics. Third, build cities and towns for people of all ages and abilities; if a sidewalk works better for someone in a wheelchair it also works for a mom pushing a stroller. Widen curb cuts on all streets to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. These changes extend a welcoming hand to all ages. Every policymaker can celebrate aging and fight ageism. Fighting ageism is not partisan.
This is an important time in our nation’s history especially as the country is rapidly aging: by 2035, older adults will outnumber children. The National Center for Reframing Aging says getting older is a time for work, play, connections, and contribution. It is crucial that we work with the experts to transform the way we view aging, celebrate it, and fight ageism. I call on our political leaders and the media to counter ageist bullying and fight age discrimination by acting on the values of aging.
I challenge our political leaders and the media to think about an older version of themselves before criticizing the age of our political candidates. If you are reading this, I urge you to see yourself as someone who is aging. I challenge all Americans to insist on a more productive, positive, and respectful public narrative on aging.
Ellen J. Hahn, age 71, from Lexington, Kentucky, is a member of the Lexington Senior Commission and Age-Friendly Lexington. She holds the title of Professor Emeritus at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.