Ageism at work

suppurateism at manoeuvreINTRODUCTION progressism can be defined as any pose, action, or institutional structure which subordinates a person or group because of sequence or any assignment of roles in baseb solely club purely on the rear end of duration (Traxler, 1980, p. 4). As an ism, jump onism reflects a prejudice in nightspot against unitymagazine(a) adults. successionism, however, is different from different(a) isms (sexism, racism etc.), for origin all(prenominal)y two reasons. First, age classification is non static. An individuals age classification changes as iodin progresses through and through the life cycle. Thus, age classification is characterized by continual change, while the another(prenominal) classification systems traditionally utilise by rules of order such(prenominal) as race and gender remain constant. Second, no whizz is exempt from at nearly point achieving the status of over-the-hill, and at that placefore, unless they die at an ear ly age, experiencing ageism. The by and by is an important distinction as ageism can hence restore the individual on two levels. First, the individual may be ageist with none to others. That is s/he may stereotype other stack on the basis of age. Second, the individual may be ageist with respect to self. Thus, ageist attitudes may hail across the self concept.Much look for has been conducted concerning ageism. However, the empirical evidence is inconclusive. Some explore demonstrates the existence of ageist attitudes (Gerstwhile(a)e Kogan, 1959 Kastenbaum Durkee, 1964a, 1964b Tuckman Lorge, 1953) and other seek does not (Brubaker Powers, 1976 Schonfield, 1985). This discrepancy is most believably the result of methodological differences and, in interpretericular, methodological errors. A brief give-and-take of the study methodological errors or problems found in ageism interrogation may be abetful in clarifying this point.The first major problem is that the maj ority of ageism research suffers from a mono-method bias. In other words, each study used simply one method to operationally define the ageism construct. Methods normally used take on included condemnation completion (Golde Kogan, 1959), semantic differential (Kogan Wallach, 1961 Rosencranz McNevin, 1969), Likert scales (Kilty Feld, 1976), and adjective checklists (Aaronson, 1966). The problem inherent in the use of a mono-method is that any effect found may be an artifact of the method employed rather than the construct under study. Thus, a researcher should employ more than one method to look for organic structure in the results.Another problem, according to Kogan (1979) is the use of within-subjects designs in ageism research. In other words, a subject bequeath be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding both jr. and sure-enough(a) adults. Kogan asserts that by using this methodology, age is pushed to the bring out of a subjects mind. The subject thus becomes aw be that the researcher is looking for age differences. on that pointfore, age differences atomic number 18 found.The use of primarily younger populations to study ageism represents another problem with ageism research. The majority of ageism research uses children, adolescents, or young adults as subjects and examines their perception of former(a) adults. Only a hardly a(prenominal) studies gravel examined the perceptions of the population whom the construct affects most sometime(a) adults. Those studies which have used an older subject population have unfortunately used primarily institutionalized individuals as subjects (Kastenbaum Durkee, 1964a Tuckman Lavell, 1957). Therefore, they do not represent the vast majority of older adults.Another problem with much of ageism research is that it unless examines the negative stereotypes of old age. More recent studies have suggested that while attitudes toward the patriarchal ar increasingly positive, they argon still stereotypi c (Austin, 1985). Therefore, ageism has been expand to include positive stereotypic images. However, these ar rarely studied (Brubaker Powers, 1976). two additional problems are primarily theoretical in nature. First, ageism research rarely examines or attempts to understand the causes of ageism. Thus, while much theoretical work has been conducted concerning the factors contributing to ageism, little empirical research has been conducted in this area. Second, ageism research rarely examines the interaction mingled with ageism and other isms. As more individuals are in a position to experience more than one prejudice, the interaction between these prejudices needs to be examined.The Theoretical Basis of eraismAgeism consists of a negative bias or stereotypic attitude toward maturation and the of age(p). It is maintained in the form of primarily negative stereotypes and myths concerning the older adult. Traxler (1980) outlines four factors that have contributed to this negativ e image of develop. Each will be discussed below.The first factor that is postulated to contribute to ageism is the fear of decease in Western society. Western civilization conceptualizes remnant as outside of the human being life cycle (Butler Lewis, 1977). As such, death is experienced and viewed as an vex to the self. Death is not seen as natural and inevitable part of the life course. This can be contrasted with Eastern philosophy where life and death are all part of a continuous cycle. Death and life are inextricably woven to placeher and the self continues throughout. To be a person, in Western society, however, means that one essential be alive and in control of the events of one1s life. Therefore, death is feared.As death is feared, old age is feared death and old age are viewed as synonymous in American society (Kastenbaum, 1979). Kastenbaum (1973) hypothesizes that ageism attitudes and stereotypes serve to insulate the young and middle-aged from the ambivalency they feel towards the elderly. This ambivalence results from the fact that the older adult is viewed as representing aging and death. Butler (1969) states Ageism reflects a deep seated uneasiness on the part of the young and middle-aged a personal revulsion to and hatred for growing old, disease, disability and a fear of powerlessness, uselessness, and death ((p. 243). This represents the most usually argued basis for ageism.The second factor postulated by Traxler (1980) to contribute to ageism is the accent mark on the offspring culture in American society. For example, the media, ranging from television system to novels, vagabond an emphasis on youth, physical beauty, and sexuality. Older adults are primarily unattended or portrayed negatively (Martel, 1968 Northcott, 1975). The emphasis on youth not only affects how older individuals are perceived but likewise how older individuals perceive themselves. Persons who are dependent on physical appearance and youth for their iden tity are likely to experience loss of self-esteem with age (Block, Davidson, Grumbs, 1981).The emphasis in American culture on productivity represents the tierce factor contributing to ageism in American culture (Traxler, 1980). It should be noted that productivity is narrowly defined in terms of scotch potential. Both ends of the life cycle are viewed as unproductive, children and the aged. The middle-aged are perceived as carrying the burdens imposed by both groups (Butler, 1969). Children, however, are viewed as having future economic potential. In a way, they are seen as an economic investment. Economically, older adults are perceived as a financial liability. This is not to say that older adults are unproductive. However, upon retirement, the older adult is no continuing viewed as economically productive in American society and thus devalued.The fourth factor contributing to ageism in American society and the so-called helping professions is the manner in which aging was o riginally researched. bad controlled gerontological studies have reinforced the negative image of the older adult. When aging was originally studied, researchers went to long-term care institutions where the aged were easy to find. However, only 5 percent of the older population is institutionalized. Thus, the early research on the aged and aging was based upon non-well, institutionalized older individuals. There is still a need for more research to be undertaken using a healthy, community-dwelling older population.The factors cited above represent four contributing factors to ageism. It has been proposed that individual ageist attitudes can be decreased through continual exposure to and work with older adults (Rosencranz McNevin, 1969). However, there appears to be a large societal influence on ageist attitudes. Therefore, until these societal influences are addressed, ageism can not be obliterated. For example, if the fear of death and therefore aging is not in some manner addr essed societally, then younger individuals will continue to attempt to make the older population somehow different from themselves. This differentiation of themselves from older adults, thus serves to protect them from the reality of death. dissimilitude AT WORK PLACEThe number of people claiming to have faced disparity at workbecause of their age has more than tripled in a year, according to official statistics. Figures released by the Tribunal Service show that claims rose from 962 in 2006 to 2,940 in 2007.The figures come just days after(prenominal) Selina Scott reached a settlement with deal phoebe bird, position to be worth 250,000, after claiming she had been the victim of ageism. The 57-year-old presenter sued the broadcaster after claiming she had been lined up to provide maternity cover for Natasha Kaplinsky on Five News but was subsequently overlooked.The figures will reinforce the belief among solicitors that the number of age-related cases will soar over the next few years. Legislation outlawing age discrimination was introduced three years ago, and Melanie Thomas, a solicitor at discrimination law specialists Palmer Wade, verbalize It takes a while for people to understand that they have invigorated rights.Other figures show that there were 1,032 age discrimination claims in tribunals between April and June, compared with 700 claims in the same period last year. In 2007, the mediocre consecrateout for successful age discrimination cases was 8,695, compared with 10,044 for sex discrimination and 17,308 for race claims. Meanwhile, some people have tried to exploit the laws to their own advantage. Margaret Keane, 50, applied for a series of clienteles for recently qualified chartered account statementants and, after failing to get any, tabled compensation claims on the campaign of age discrimination.Gillian Shaw, a solicitor at employment law specialists Ledingham Chalmers LLP, utter There is a financial motivator for claimants to look f or an alternative to a straightforward claim of, say, unfair button because age discrimination, like sex and race discrimination, does not have an velocity limit on the amount of compensation that can be claimed.Scott argued that Channel Five had backed out of a 200,000 presenting deal because they felt she was likewise old, choosing Isla Traquair, 28, instead.A string of former BBC faces including Kate Adie and Anna Ford joined forces to accuse television of discriminating against mature women. Dame Joan Bakewell claimed the medium was dominated by the heinously young.In an interview in todays Observer, Ford claims women suffer the most. Ageism against women, she adds, is a peculiar British tradition. In America, there are women with white vibrissa who are heads of banks, heads of corporations, she said. Where are those women here?The latest political sympathies figures, released earlier this year, showed that the succumb gap between men and women had widened for the first time in years. The new Equality Bill is due to be presented to Parliament this spring, and not a moment similarly soon, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commissions fifth yearly Sex Power report, which recorded a drop for the first time in women attaining top wrinkles. In 12 out of 25 job categories, it found fewer women in top posts than in 2007.Ageism at work in later lifeThere is a commonly assumed view that ageism affects only a small minority of older people in the UK. The popular television character sea captain Meldrew from One Foot in the Grave perfectly captures the stereotype of a grumbling man in later life, stuck in his ways, resistant to change, mixed-up by technology and distanced from the views and activities of young people.Yet, when examining the issue of ageism, it becomes clear that as with all stereotypes this image is flawed.Ageism affects a wide age group, of both genders and all backgrounds.According to a MORI Social Research Institute poll, ageism go yesteryear the list of UK discrimination in the workplace.Over one in fin people (22%) interviewed by MORI felt they had been unfairly discriminated against in the work environment.38 per cent of those who were discriminated against cited age as the most prevalent form of discrimination.Of those who believed they had personally encountered ageism in the workplace, just over half said they were discriminated against because they were too old, however the remaining half claimed to have received unfair interposition for being too young.Estimated cost to the economy of this form of discrimination ranges from 16 billion to 31 billion.These figures are shocking but statistics alone cannot account for the social or personal impact that ageism has on individuals and society at large.The government Age Positive Campaign is insistent that attitudes must change. By 2010 nearly 40 per cent of the working(a) population will be over 45. Supporting this cultural shift, legislation preventing ageism in the workplace will be in place in the UK by 2006. But what the government really wants is change here and now.More and more employers in the public and private sector are convinced by the business case of employing a mixed age workforce. They know that Age Positive can result in operational, market and revenue gains. commingle age workforces are proven to provide employers with a wider available skills base, amend productivity, better morale, increase customer loyalty, greater market share and increased shareholder wealth.METHODOLOGYTodays report by the Employers Forum on Age (EFA), which surveyed 1,000 workers over the age of 16, claims discrimination against older and younger employees remains preponderant in the workplace.It found that 61 per cent of respondents had witnessed ageist behaviour at work, and half did not know about legislation which would make this illegal. The survey similarly shows that young and old people could lose out on pay rises and promotions as a result of their age 31 per cent said they had seen older people paid more for doing exactly the same job as a younger employee. Almost a quarter 23 per cent recalled an older worker being promoted even if the younger campaigner had more experience. EFA director Sam Mercer commented As our research has confirmed, ageism is enzootic in our society and rife in our workplaces. These attitudes need to be challenged and prohibit so that they become as unacceptable as sexism or racism. Although Mr Mercer said the new laws, which will come into force on Sunday, will help provide protection for people who feel that they have been discriminated against on grounds of their age, he added the change in legislation was just the beginning of a long journey towards tackling social prejudices. A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions told politics.co.uk the government was committed to ensuring equality at work. He noted that in the past year 208,000 more people aged over 50 are working, claiming the evidence suggests there are many businesses which are keen to weapons the skills and experience older workers can bring. He added We know the practice of ageism is bad for business and the new legislation will ensure that older workers are protected and ageism is stamped out. The governments Age Positive campaign, which sees businesses supplied with an age toolkit, involves working with a wide range of UK businesses to help them recognise the benefits of older workers such as reduced recruitment costs, higher(prenominal) retention rates, greater flexibility, higher productivity, and a broader range of skills and experience, he said. The government will consider whether to throw the compulsory retirement age, currently at 65 for men, or to overthrow it at a formal review in 2011. The EFA report comes in the wake of a separate survey for the charity Help the Aged, which finds only 42 per cent of the 1,000 people questioned were aware of the new l aws on age discrimination. It in addition showed that older people still feared ageism at work, and called on the government to ensure older employees knew their rightsAge discrimination is still rife, and imperative legislation is unavoidable to stamp it out, a survey has said.EXAMPLESAgeism also happen in sports like there is an example of Pakistani aggroup stroller IntikhabAgeism doesnt bother Pakistan developKARACHI Pakistan cricket team coach Intikhab Alam on Tuesday brushed aside negative criticism from those demanding his removal because of hisage, state the campaign was motivated by jealousy.The 67-year-old guided Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title in England in June but Tests and One-day defeats on the Sri Lankatourlast month prompted former players to brand his old age a hindrance in proper coaching.But Alam brushed aside the flak.If there is healthy criticism I take it in a positive way, but targeting my age is negative thinking and I smell jealousy from this, s aid Alam on the sidelines of Pakistan teams training camp.The five-day camp is the final examination phase of Pakistans preparations for the elite eight-nationChampions Trophyto be played in South Africa from kinsfolk 22-October 5.Alam said the same people who were pointing finger at his age were laudatory him a few months ago.I feel sorry for such people who have a personal vendetta against me, said Alam, who was also ascribe for Pakistans success in the 50-over World Cup in Australia in 1992. They cannot jump our T20 success.Former captain Aamir Sohail last week criticised Alam for being too old to handle coaching at international level.Former PakistanCricketBoard chief Tauqir Zia also joined Sohail in targeting Alams age, saying Pakistan needs a young coach to guide them to more successes.Alam, however, insists he is fit.I even take part in coaching drills and my age has never been a hindrance in my work. Coaching is all about experience and football coaches worldwide are ove r 70 years of age but no one speaks against them, said Alam.CONCLUSIONAccording to an ICM poll for Age partake, nearly one third of people know someone who has been a victim of age discrimination at work.Age discrimination is so widespread that 70% of people believe that ageism still occurs, the same as when a similar survey was conducted in 1998.Another one-in-10 people said that they have experienced discrimination by the NHS, health insurance companies, and been turned go across for financial products because of their age.Too oldAge Concern criticised employers and companies for failing to rigging ageism and the governments voluntary Code of Practice on age smorgasbord in employment, which was published in 1999.Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern England, said The governments voluntary code clearly isnt working.Comprehensive legislation is needed now, not just to cover the workplace but many other sectors of life.In November 2000, the government adopted a Europea n Union directive, which outlaws age discrimination at work.It must now introduce legislation which supports the directives principles by 2006.Political voiceAge Concern has also announced plans to flip older people membership of the charity, to strengthen its campaigning work.Mr Lishman, said It will give older people the opportunity to directly influence policy makers and force the age issue higher up the political agenda.There are between 700,000 and 1m people in the UK who are aged between 50 and 64 and are unemployed or economically inactive.BIBLOGRAPHYBBCINDIATIMES http//www.india-seminar.com/2000/488/488%20srivastava.htm