Impact on Individuals and Society

I. Individuals

Ageism can affect younger and older individuals differently. Because of the negative views on getting older, younger persons don’t want to get older. Their preference for youth affects their mental preparation for aging; they often deny that they’re getting older, refusing to adjust themselves to the changes to their lifestyle that come with age. Additionally, when the various changes associated with aging inevitably do come, they are unprepared to deal with these changes.

According to a study entitled Attitudes and Social Cognition published by Becca R. Levy and Martin D. Slade, age stereotyping also manifests itself in internalization. Older individuals' internalized perceptions of their own age produces a profound physiological effect on survival. Levy contests that negative connotations concerning aging become ingrained throughout one's formative years; people tend to focus on cognitive and physical decline and ultimately death. Older individuals are just as, if not more, likely to hold ill will towards their own age group.

The study ultimately revealed through the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis that the individuals that scored higher lived an average of 7.6 years longer, displaying the effect of a negative perception on aging.

Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist, stated in his stages of psychosocial development  that those in their "mature" stage of life (65 years old-death) commonly face the crisis of ego integrity vs. despair. If an individual does not believe they have led a productive life, retrospection often leads to despair and hopelessness compounded by their perceptions of what it means to age.

II. Society

Ageism’s influence in society can be clearly seen in the workplace. Because older people are typically less technologically knowledgeable, positions that require experience or familiarity with technology are commonly held by younger people. This lack of human diversity can cause a lack in diversity of ideas. Without a variety of views present, certain aspects of a product, service, or advertisement may focus on a certain demographic while ignoring the wants or needs of underrepresented groups.

Today, society highly values youth. Entertainment and advertisements idolize the younger generations, and older people are often only found in settings which are stereotypically associated with aging. Much of society, including the older people themselves, have a negative view toward aging and older people. Older people are isolated from pop culture and social activities, delegated to their own sect.