There is a growing narrative familiar to most of us: a globally ageing population is placing unprecedented strain on government resources, social safety nets and the younger generation. With little end in sight to these demographic trends, is set to become an even bigger issue than it already is.
Now the UN has weighed in with a plea for peace, dedicating its on 1 October to defusing negative attitudes to older people. It says older citizens are routinely labelled as a drain on society and stereotyped as decrepit and marginalised, with their healthcare questioned and devalued.
But are these perceptions of doom accurate? And do they miss half the story? Will the already bleak economic prospects of the young continue to clash with the needs of the largest older generation in history and intensify negative attitudes?
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Unfortunately, the indications are that this growing problem is serious, multifaceted, and worldwide. It will not simply go away. Ill feeling can spark ageism, .
Despite this older population being the , it is not gold-plated early retirees but the poorer and frailer who tend to bear the brunt of ageism.
A multi-faceted problem
This issue manifests itself in many ways, not least in the workplace. In a US study, female jobseekers aged 62 were found to be .
in favour of younger coworkers and older people are , which can be harmful to health. Although they are notoriously difficult to prove, in the US.
Meanwhile, those in their 80s and 90s have their medical treatment , and support services for them
There are of course two sides to this story. Younger people actually face higher unemployment rates in many nations: . And yes, this can wipe years off their lives too. Around the world, the in basic necessities, . Younger adults may never reap the benefits of the very pension systems that they currently fund.
Although intergenerational clashes have always existed, current trends have exacerbated them. My own research has shown that the young in particular , even (and sometimes especially) in . The fact that older workers are remaining in the labour force at record levels and for decades does not bode well in this regard.
Bridging the divide
What can fix these complex dilemmas? One route is to embrace the economic opportunities of a growing older population. For example, young entrepreneurs can capitalise on older adults’ long-term healthcare and technology needs. Policies aimed at accommodating both sides, such as partial retirement, can help everyone.
Generational awareness-building also offers promise. Research shows that . Meanwhile, younger adults who digitally age a photo of their own faces .
More broadly, we need to counter the popular belief that generations are in direct competition. Studies and Europe demonstrate that labour outcomes such as wages and income are positively correlated between generations: as the economy grows, everyone wins, and as it tanks, we all lose.
Ageism is the only form of discrimination that affects pretty much everyone at some point. Ignoring its spread puts us all at risk.
