Being biased against persons who are ‘old’ makes no sense.  Everyone will eventually be a part of the elderly demographic or they will no longer be with us.  It is a binary outcome.

Like any kind of ‘ism’, I think ageism stems from a lack of experience of mixing with a range of people older than oneself.  Yes, we all have older relatives and parents, but you know, they are your parents…

When my Father turned 90 he moved into one of those ‘gracious living’ retirement homes.  The average age would have been well over 75 at least.  I spent a fair bit of time there and got to know a group of women all in their late 70’s.  I became friends with one of them.  Not just polite acquaintances, but friends.  We exchanged books, stories, jokes, and gossip.  It was not my first experience being friends with someone elderly, but it made me realize I had never really gotten to know someone of that generation beyond family members. 

Ageism is a two way street.  Some of us get stuck believing that the era of our youth was the best era ever.  Some of us remain fixated on the ‘glory days’.  I am not sure where the dividing line between young and old lies but both sides have to be open to accepting the differences. 

Just like any other ‘ism’. 

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Enjoy!

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  I keep it short and to the point.  Topics are as wide ranging as a straight but not narrow path.