Part I
1. Prejudice and discrimination in the work place
2. Older adults share physical characteristics that distinguish them from the younger
3. Membership in this group is not a choice.
• What is ageism? How does ageism influence the presence of diversity in society?
Ageism is prejudice and discrimination against older adults. Diversity is different groups of people. Older adults are different then younger adults. Ageism influences the presence of diversity in society in many ways. The work place is a huge topic that shows this. An older adult will likely be pushed out of their position if a younger person can do the job better or quicker. Longevity no longer matters in this situation; the employer will likely be able to hire the newer person for less. Diversity in the workplace wouldn’t b e present if all the young adults ones took over. A work environment should have all types of people not just young.
• What is the Age Discriminitation in Employment Act (ADEA)? How does the ADEA address issues for the aging population?
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act is a law that was passed in 1968. It was passed to protect worker 40 years of age or older from being terminated because of their age and replaced by younger workers. The younger adults would most likely receive smaller salaries. The ADEA addresses the issues for the aging population because now they are protected and it can no longer be a worry for them. They can be treated fairly no matter what their age is. It will prevent discrimination and prejudice for the older adults. No older adult should be pushed aside for someone that is younger they have done their time, they were once young too.
• What is being done to address the issues you identified?
Many different issues have arisen since the ADEA passed in 1968. Layoffs became an issue and then the courts were favoring the older people. Layoff had to be identified but something else besides age. They had to have real facts. The older adults are proven to have better attendance but it wasn’t stopping the layoff. The employers were then trying to work around the firing of older adults and laying them off was the way they went. The employers could still hire a younger adult even after layoff. It was a circle of events. The older adults noticed the pattern of older adults being laid off; this is why they had to have a real reason for it.
• Is the number of aging population expected to rise in numbers or decrease?
The aging population is expected to rise in numbers throughout the 21st century. The way it is narrowed down they think that older white women living in certain states compared to the rest of the population. Men usually have a higher rate of death then women at all ages. I don’t see this as mattering as much, older adults or younger adults it doesn’t matter to me if an adult is young or old. People are people regardless of age. I sometimes think we focus too much on diversity and discrimination in this world. I am curious to see what theses projected numbers will do for us in the future, why would we need to know what the minority will be?
• What types of legislation may or may not be affected by the aging population?
Disability Rights may be affected by the aging population. The older adults become disabled more frequently and more often than younger adults. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects the people with disabilities against discrimination in the workplace. This gives older adults that are disabled the same rights as any other person that is young and not disabled. In order to be protected by the ADA you have to be disabled or have a relationship with someone that is disabled. I believe the older adults will affect this Act based on age and disability. The legislation has many laws that protect the older adults in the workplace.
• How does poverty affect the aging population?
Poverty affects the aging population in