ageism

Friendly

Word: Ageism

Definition:
Ageism is a noun that refers to discrimination or prejudice against people based on their age, particularly against middle-aged and elderly individuals. It involves treating someone unfairly because of their age rather than their abilities or qualities.

Usage Instructions:

• As a noun: You can use "ageism" to describe situations, behaviors, or attitudes that show bias against older or middle-aged people.
• Example: "The company has been accused of ageism because they only hire young workers."

Example Sentences:

1. "Some movies are criticized for their ageism, as they often portray older characters in negative ways."
2. "To combat ageism, many organizations are promoting the value of older employees in the workplace."

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter discussions about ageism in contexts like the workplace, healthcare, or media. Scholars may analyze how ageism affects society as a whole.
• Example: "Researchers are studying the impact of ageism on mental health in older adults."

Word Variants:

• Ageist (adjective): Describing someone who holds prejudices against older people.
  • Example: "His ageist remarks made many of his colleagues uncomfortable."
• Ageist (noun): A person who discriminates against others based on their age.
  • Example: "She realized she was being an ageist when she dismissed her coworker's ideas simply because he was older."

Different Meanings:

While "ageism" primarily refers to discrimination based on age, it can also encompass negative stereotypes or assumptions about people of different ages, such as believing older people are not capable of learning new skills.

Synonyms:

• Age discrimination
• Age prejudice
• Age-related bias

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that are directly related to ageism, but you might hear phrases that touch on age-related themes, such as: - "Over the hill" (meaning someone is old or past their prime) - "Young at heart" (referring to someone who is older but still behaves in a youthful manner)

Summary:

Ageism is an important concept to understand, especially in discussions about equality and respect for all ages.

Academic

Noun

1. discrimination against middle-aged and elderly people

Synonyms

• agism