In Australian society ageism is a very prevalent form of inequality that entails the discrimination of a person based on their age, predominantly but not exclusively to elderly people.
Ageism in Australia today can come in many various forms such as political, economic, interpersonal and cultural ageism. Ageism in the workplace has been a long prevailing problem. But more recently Younger people in the work place are now looking down upon older people such as the baby boomers as they are more technologically inept and are less likely to quickly adapt to changes.
Families regard elderly people as burdens and can be relieved to not have the task of taking care of them.
Many people that experience ageism feel excluded and a lack of respect.
In the past older adults and elderly people used to have a lot of respect and power due to them been seen as having extensive knowledge and wisdom on matters and subjects that could not be obtained otherwise. But due to fast changes in technology and society ageism against old people arose.
Ageism is an inequality that can be overcome through government institutions’ support, community support and raising awareness of the problem. The Age Discrimination Act 2004 is an example of a government implementing legislation to help aid the depletion of the discrimination of older people.
If ageism is not resolved and overcome then discrimination will continue causing a lack of equality and chances for people and a lack of respect affecting how our society is shaped in the future.
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