Which term best captures prejudice or discrimination against older adults?

Which term best captures prejudice or discrimination against older adults?

• A. Age Discrimination
• B. Gerontophobia
• C. Ageism
• D. Senior Bias

Answer: (C)

Ageism is the term that captures prejudice or discrimination against older adults. It covers both the negative beliefs and stereotypes about aging and the unfair treatment that can follow in areas like work, healthcare, housing, and media. Because it includes attitudes as well as actions, ageism best explains the full range of bias faced by older people. For example, assuming an older worker can’t learn new technologies reflects ageist bias, and policies that limit opportunities based solely on age show ageism in practice. Age Discrimination describes specific acts of unequal treatment, but ageism encompasses the broader prejudice that motivates those actions. Gerontophobia is fear of aging or older people, not prejudice, and Senior Bias isn’t the standard scholarly term for this phenomenon.

Ageism is the term that captures prejudice or discrimination against older adults. It covers both the negative beliefs and stereotypes about aging and the unfair treatment that can follow in areas like work, healthcare, housing, and media. Because it includes attitudes as well as actions, ageism best explains the full range of bias faced by older people. For example, assuming an older worker can’t learn new technologies reflects ageist bias, and policies that limit opportunities based solely on age show ageism in practice. Age Discrimination describes specific acts of unequal treatment, but ageism encompasses the broader prejudice that motivates those actions. Gerontophobia is fear of aging or older people, not prejudice, and Senior Bias isn’t the standard scholarly term for this phenomenon.