Ageism

noun (uncountable)

/ˈeɪdʒɪzəm/

Stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age -- particularly directed towards older persons. Manifests in healthcare denial, employment discrimination, social exclusion, and patronising attitudes.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

As India's elderly population is projected to exceed twenty per cent by 2050, policymakers must confront ageism in labour markets and healthcare delivery, lest demographic ageing harden into systemic exclusion of senior citizens from productive and dignified life.

Synonyms

age discriminationage biasage prejudiceage stereotypinggerontophobia

Antonyms

age inclusivenessintergenerational solidarityage equity

🌱 Word Family

ageist (n/adj), ageism (n), age (n/v), ageing (v pres.p/adj), aged (adj)

🔡 Root

Coined 1969 (Robert N. Butler): English age + -ism = system of prejudice; modelled on 'racism'

📜 Etymology

Coined in 1969 by American gerontologist Robert N. Butler, modelled on "racism" and "sexism"; from English age + -ism (denoting a system of beliefs or prejudice).

🧠 Memory Hook

AGE + -ISM: just as racISM targets race and sexISM targets sex, ageISM targets AGE — the youngest member of the '-ism' family of prejudices, born in 1969.

⚖️ Social Justice 📖 Seen in: Child Rights, Elderly Welfare & Disabi...

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