Western society has taken major strides towards addressing the issue of sexism over the past century, even if it has been an ongoing struggle ever since women's emancipation.
However, ageism is another form of prejudiced discrimination that must be rooted out like a noxious weed. But it simply does not seem to get anywhere near the same level of attention, despite also being a detrimental societal ill that needs to be remedied.
Stereotypes that paint with a single brush stroke entire age demographics continue to permeate throughout society largely unchallenged. These tropes include but are not limited to careless and clueless teenagers, bloated boomers, selfish and over-privileged millennials, all the way up to technologically incompetent seniors who are terrified of computers.
This must change.
Sure, there are reckless teens. No doubt plenty of pampered millennials as well. There are also boomers who despite owning numerous vacation properties still find things to complain about, not to mention seniors who really are petrified by technology and the thought of using a smartphone or tablet.
However, there are two sides to every coin.
There are also young adults who strive to pursue and excel in their education or budding career paths, millennials who work hard to make ends meet without expecting handouts, as well as boomers who fully appreciate having had the opportunity to come of age during a time when costs of living were, inflation accounted for, nowhere near as crippling as today and wages comparatively were higher.
And of course there are also seniors who have not only embraced a technological future with open arms but who even endeavour to master it, delving in without hesitation to learn how to browse the Internet, for example.
But sadly, ageism can propagate negative attitudes throughout society that lead not only to unfair and unfounded judgments of character and ability, but also to generational gaps that can result in one age group begrudging another, potentially leading to the mistreatment of individuals.
Unfortunately, seniors tend to be more vulnerable than other age groups ó especially those who are struggling with dementia ó and they do not always have the mental, physical or societal support they need to defend themselves.
"We must begin to educate our community to ensure we are ëage friendly' in all aspects, including the very important part of knowing how to be socially inclusive to those that are affected by dementia, and their caregivers," said Shoshannah Brechtel, elder abuse prevention coordinator with Greenwood Neighbourhood Place, during a recent interview.
"We would like to see through the initiatives happening at GNP and the partnerships in the community the cultivation and growth of a greater respect and appreciation for our seniors in this community with tangible results."
Brechtel presents an irrefutable case. We truly should try to make a conscious effort to form our opinions of others on a case-by-case basis based on their actions, their character as well as their treatment of others, especially those who are less fortunate. The bottom line is a person's age should not even come into consideration when forming an opinion about that individual.
See a coming edition of the Round Up for coverage on an educational event lined up by Greenwood Neighbourhood Place for World Elder Abuse Prevention Day on June 15.
