Ageism

Ageism is bias against, discrimination towards, or bullying of individuals and groups on the basis of their age. Quotes As we move toward creating a society within which we can each flourish, ageism is another distortion of relationship which interferes without vision. By ignoring the past, we are encouraged to repeat its mistakes. The “generation gap” is an important social tool for any repressive society. If the younger members of a community view the older members as contemptible or suspect or excess, they will never be able to join hands and examine the living memories of the community, nor ask the all important question, “Why?” This gives rise to a historical amnesia that keeps us working to invent the wheel every time we have to go to the store for bread. We find ourselves having to repeat and relearn the same old lessons over and over that our mothers did because we do not pass on what we have learned, or because we are unable to listen. Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches 1984 Crossing Press 978-0-89594-142-8 116 Any age can be viewed as "the wrong age" for a woman, allowing her capacity to be questioned and her fitness for leadership challenged. But we can stop stigmatizing a woman's age--benefitting not just women, but the whole organization. Amy Diehl, Leanne M. Dzubinski, and Amber L. Stephenson, "Women in Leadership Face Ageism at every age." Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2023, p 1-7. See also Generation Prejudice External links Category:Discrimination Category:Age