Experiences with Ageism at Any Age

Title of Activity:  Experiences with Ageism at Any Age

Designed by: Sheri R. Levy, Stony Brook University, sheri.levy@stonybrook.edu

Audience: Open

Suggested Courses: High School, Undergraduate, Graduate Courses; Any Psychology Course 

*NOTE: This activity can be adapted and completed in a number of ways. For example, this activity could be  a classroom activity led by the Instructor in which a panel of guests are asked to share their experiences with ageism at any age. This activity can be carried out by students as an assignment outside of the classroom (with the option of discussing the results of the activity as a class).

Step 1: Briefly interview someone who is 60 years of age or older.  The person can be a relative, a relative of a friend, a co-worker, boss, etc.  Explain that for a class project you were asked to interview someone who is 60 years of age or older and ask them to share 1-3 experiences with ageism at any point during their lives. You can define ageism as follows:“any prejudice or discrimination against or in favor of an age group” (Palmore, 1989, p. 4). 

Step 2:  Write in complete sentences.  Number your responses according to the questions below.

1. (1-2 sentences)
   1. What is the age of the person you interviewed? (do not give names or other identifying information)
   2. How do you know this person (relative, co-worker, boss, etc.)
   3. How long have you  known this person?
   4. How long did the interview last?
2. Describe the 1-3 experiences of ageism that were provided in the interview. (approximately 4-10 sentences)

Step 3: Briefly interview someone who is 18 years of age or older but not older than 60 years.  The person can be a relative, a relative of a friend, a co-worker, boss, etc .Explain that for a class project you were asked to interview someone who is 18 years of age or older and ask them to share 1-3 experiences with ageism at any point during their lives. You can define ageism as follows:“any prejudice or discrimination against or in favor of an age group” (Palmore, 1989, p. 4). 

Step 4: Write in complete sentences.  Number your responses according to the questions below.

1. (1-2 sentences) 
   1. What is the age of the person you interviewed? (do not give names or other identifying information)
   2. How do you know this person (relative, co-worker, boss, etc.)
   3. How long have you  known this person? 
   4. How long did the interview last? [parts a, b, c, and d in 1-2 sentences]
2. Describe the 1-3 experiences of ageism that were provided in the interview. (approximately 4-10 sentences)

1. Review your answers to both (1)s and (2)s.  Are there similarities and differences in the experiences of ageism between the two individuals you interviewed? (1-6 sentences)
2. What was the most challenging aspect of completing this assignment? (1-4 sentences)
3. What was the most enlightening aspect of this assignment? (1-4 sentences)
4. Overall, how valuable was the assignment for you and why? (1-4 sentences)
5. Did the discussion of ageism also prompt discussions about other isms such as the intersection of ageism and other isms (e.g., ageism and racism, ageism and ableism, ageism and sexism….)? How so OR why do you think intersectionality did not come up?  (2-4 sentences)
6. Optional. Are there any thoughts you would like to share about this assignment/ experience?  For example, were you surprised by anything?

Citation for This Activity: 

Levy, S.R. (2021). Experiences with Ageism at Any Age Activity. In S.R. Levy (Ed.). Taking Ageism Seriously. https://takingageismseriously.org/

References:

Palmore E (1989) Ageism: Negative and positive. First edition. New York: Springer.