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Kids dressing up as older people is harmless fun, right? No, it’s ageist, whatever Bluey says

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-mitchell-1143692">Lisa Mitchell</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> A child once approached me, hunched over, carrying a vacuum cleaner like a walking stick. In a wobbly voice, he asked: "Do you want to play grannies?" The idea came from the children’s TV show Bluey, which <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ABCKidsCommunity/videos/bluey-grannies/468144817266668/">has</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ABCKidsCommunity/videos/new-bluey-episodes-the-grannies-are-back-abc-kids/371436135028190/">episodes</a>, <a href="https://www.bluey.tv/products/grannies-book/">a book</a>, <a href="https://www.discountmags.com/magazine/bluey-september-1-2023-digital">magazine</a> editions and an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBlueyTV/videos/grannies-filter-bluey/5728362390510269/">image filter</a> about dressing up as “grannies”. Children are also dressing up as 100-year-olds to mark their first “100 days of school”, an idea <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/old-people-s-home-for-five-year-olds-prep-students-don-senior-citizen-attire-20230801-p5dszb.html">gaining popularity</a> <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/education/cardigans-wigs-and-canes-why-kindy-students-are-dressing-up-as-100-year-olds-20230720-p5dpu8.html">in Australia</a>. Is this all just harmless fun? <h2>How stereotypes take hold</h2> When I look at the older people in my life, or the patients I see as a geriatrician, I cannot imagine how to suck out the individual to formulate a “look”. But Google “older person dress-ups” and you will find <a href="https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/dress-up-like-youre-100-years-old-100thdayofschool--15199717464361356/">Pinterests</a> and <a href="https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Up-Like-an-Old-Person#:%7E:text=Dress%20in%20comfortable%2C%20loose%2Dfitting,older%20people%20may%20wear%20include%3A&text=Oversized%20sweatshirts">Wikihow pages</a> doing just that. Waistcoats, walking sticks, glasses and hunched backs are the key. If you’re a “granny”, don’t forget a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBlueyTV/videos/games-you-can-play-at-home-grannies-bluey/645964056227345/">shawl and tinned beans</a>. You can buy “old lady” <a href="https://www.spotlightstores.com/party/costumes-and-accessories/costume-accessories/wigs-hair-accessories/wigs/spartys-kids-old-lady-wig-with-curlers/80578132?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0vWnBhC6ARIsAJpJM6emZHoNxO72pUa80Wc8ihYYiq3AohZ_w72jmuWBBDlficdCMy_rsK8aAj47EALw_wcB">wigs</a> or an “old man” <a href="https://www.bigw.com.au/product/facial-hair-set-old-man-3-pieces/p/305026">moustache and bushy eyebrows</a>. This depiction of how older people look and behave is a stereotype. And if dressing up as an older person is an example, such stereotypes are all around us. <h2>What’s the harm?</h2> There is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/hypa.12170">some debate</a> about whether stereotyping is intrinsically wrong, and if it is, why. But there is plenty of research about the harms of age stereotypes or ageism. That’s harm to current older people and harm to future older people. The World Health Organization <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">defines ageism</a> as: "the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or ourselves based on age." Ageism <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">contributes to</a> social isolation, reduced health and life expectancy and costs economies <a href="https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/60/1/174/5166947">billions of dollars</a> globally. When it comes to health, the impact of negative stereotypes and beliefs about ageing may be even <a href="https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/60/1/174/5166947">more harmful</a> than the discrimination itself. In laboratory studies, older people perform <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4360754/">worse</a> than expected on tasks such as memory or thinking after being shown negative stereotypes about ageing. This may be due to a “<a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/stereotype-threat.html">stereotype threat</a>”. This is when a person’s performance is impaired because they are worried about confirming a negative stereotype about the group they belong to. In other words, they perform less well because they’re worried about acting “old”. Another theory is “stereotype embodiment”. This is where people absorb negative stereotypes throughout their life and come to believe decline is an inevitable consequence of ageing. This leads to biological, psychological and physiological changes that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2927354/">create</a> a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have seen this in my clinic with people who do well, until they realise they’re an older person – a birthday, a fall, a revelation when they look in the mirror. Then, they stop going out, stop exercising, stop seeing their friends. Evidence for “stereotype embodiment” comes from studies that show people with more negative views about ageing are more likely to have higher levels of stress hormones (such as cortisol and C-reactive protein) and are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7182003/">less likely</a> to engage in health behaviours, such as exercising and eating healthy foods. Younger adults with negative views about ageing are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2666386/">more likely</a> to have a heart attack up to about 40 years later. People with the most negative attitudes towards ageing have a lower life expectancy by as much as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12150226/">7.5 years</a>. Children are particularly susceptible to absorbing stereotypes, a process <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-09385-010">that starts</a> in early childhood. <h2>Ageism is all around us</h2> <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">One in two people</a> have ageist views, so tackling ageism is complicated given it is socially acceptable and normalised. Think of all the birthday cards and jokes about ageing or phrases like “geezer” and “old duck”. Assuming a person (including yourself) is “too old” for something. Older people say it is harder to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-06/senior-job-seekers-struggle-to-get-a-foot-in-the-door/102563144">find work</a> and they face discrimination in <a href="https://www.hcnsw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Ageism-in-Health-Care_final.pdf">health care</a>. <h2>How can we reduce ageism?</h2> We can reduce ageism through laws, policies and education. But we can also reduce it via <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">intergenerational contact</a>, where older people and younger people come together. This helps break down the segregation that allows stereotypes to fester. Think of the TV series <a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/old-people-s-home-for-4-year-olds">Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds</a> or the follow-up <a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/old-people-s-home-for-teenagers">Old People’s Home for Teenagers</a>. More simply, children can hang out with their older relatives, neighbours and friends. We can also challenge a negative view of ageing. What if we allowed kids to imagine their lives as grandparents and 100-year-olds as freely as they view their current selves? What would be the harm in that?<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212607/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-mitchell-1143692">Lisa Mitchell</a>, Geriatrician working in clinical practice. PhD Candidate at The University of Melbourne studying ethics and ageism in health care. Affiliate lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/kids-dressing-up-as-older-people-is-harmless-fun-right-no-its-ageist-whatever-bluey-says-212607">original article</a>.

Retirement Life

Madonna takes aim at "ageist" critics

Madonna has spoken out against wide-spread criticism of her appearance after presenting at the Grammy Awards. The 64-year-old musician introduced Sam Smith and Kim Petras' performance of their hit song Unholy at the annual music award ceremony, but rather than focus on the "history making" performance, many were quick to comment on Madonna's appearance. Following her moment on the stage, Madonna's social media was flooded with comments calling her scary, unrecognisable and denouncing her supposed "obsession with plastic surgery", despite the singer never confirming having cosmetic enhancements. Hitting back at online trolls, Madonna took to Instagram to condemn the "ageism and misogyny" of her critics, while refusing to apologise for her "creative choices". In a lengthy post, she wrote, "Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim - Many people chose to only talk about close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera By a press photographer that Would distort anyone’s face!!" "Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45, and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous." She continued, "I have never apologised for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start. I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come." She concluded the post by saying, "I look forward to many more years of subversive behaviour, pushing boundaries, standing up to the patriarchy, and most of all enjoying my life." While her post was flooded with support from her celebrity friends, she also welcomed a new wave of criticism with many commenters thinking her anger was misdirected. One person said, "Ok but there's an elephant in the room here - This is not ageism - it is plastic surgery and filler! How is this ageism when YOU did all this to yourself in order to prevent looking old? Give yourself a break from those fillers and stop blaming ageism for what you choose to do to yourself." Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Why it’s time Hollywood lets go of ageist stereotypes

As we age, we start to become more aware of how the world stigmatises the elderly – especially in the realm of movies. We’re told we’re technologically illiterate and we’re frail and tired. These negative stereotypes are almost always associated with those in the senior age bracket, and it seems that actors and actresses over 60 are forced to play these roles as there is hardly anything of substance on offer. According to a recent study by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, ageism isn’t just insulting, but it’s also incredibly unhealthy. Researchers analysed 4,066 speaking roles in the top grossing movies for 2015. They then made the grim discovery that only 11% of the speaking roles went to actors aged over 60. What makes it even worse, is that half of these roles reinforced ageing stereotypes. So what can we do to fight back? Believe it or not, you have a lot more power than you assume. First things first, avoid any movies that show seniors in a negative light. Don’t give them your money and don’t take your grandchildren to watch them either. Also build awareness within yourself. When watching movies, pay attention to how the older character is portrayed. And if they’re treated as an afterthought, remind yourself that people our age are accomplishing phenomenal things. They’re going back to school, taking up dance classes, starting technology companies and more. We may be weak on the silver screen, but we’re powerful in real life.

Movies

The children’s book challenging ageist stereotypes

In January, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/01/superstar-grandmas-picture-book-defying-old-stereotypes/" target="_blank">we introduced you</a> to Andrea Gallagher, the Australian author challenging old stereotypes with her children’s picture book, Superstar Grandmas: An A-Z of Seriously Cool Seniors. Now, two months later, Gallagher has just released her follow-up book, Mega-rad Grandads. Aside from the many “dynamic and vibrant grandads” she knew, Andrea tells Over60 her main inspiration was her very own father – and now grandad to her two children. “He’s the most amazing grandad,” she gushes. “He’s really something very special.” Sick of the “grumpy old grandad” stereotype she had so often seen, Andrea decided to shed some light on what grandfathers truly are – fun-loving, making up for lost time, and essential to every child’s development. “In every society, you need your elders to play a significant role and teach the next generation about tradition and about what’s happened before, because that’s how we develop as a society,” she explains. “That presence of elders having an influence has such a positive impact, and so I just want to be a part of anything that will reignite that within our society, to remember how significant grandparents are and what an important role they have in the lives of little grandchildren as well as older grandchildren. That’s how I was raised, and I don’t want to see it die out in my children’s generation.” The product of this is Mega-Rad Grandads, an A – Z picture book featuring real-life grandads and their passions in life. There’s Bruce the baker… <img width="500" height="595" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34766/image-1_500x595.jpg" alt="Image 1 (8)"/> Gordon the gardener… <img width="500" height="595" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34767/image-2_500x595.jpg" alt="Image 2 (7)"/> And Harry the hippy! <img width="500" height="595" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34768/image-3_500x595.jpg" alt="Image 3 (6)"/> The final few pages of the book are dedicated to the grandads themselves, and you and the grandkids will have a blast trying to match the grandad’s photo to his letter in the alphabet. Plus, you might find it’s just the thing to help send little ones off into the land of nod. “The thing that’s common to both of the books is that it finishes at Z on a sleeping theme, so that grandma and grandad can finish reading the book to their little grandchild and say, ‘now it’s time for a sleep!’” <img width="194" height="231" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34769/cover_194x231.jpg" alt="Cover" style="float: right;"/> To celebrate the release of Mega-Rad Grandads, Andrea – and the grandads themselves – have organised a barbecue picnic for all grandparents and their little ones to have some fun, play some games and enjoy a sausage sizzle. The event will take place at Grange Bowls Club in Queensland on Sunday, April 23 from 2-4 pm, and all are welcome. To RSVP, email <a href="mailto:andrea@penelopeandpeter.com" target="_blank">andrea@penelopeandpeter.com</a>. If you’d like to purchase a copy of Mega-Rad Grandads, <a href="http://andreagallagher.com.au/product/mega-rad-grandads-soft-cover-book/" target="_blank">click here</a>. You can also grab a copy of Superstar Grandmas for a special discounted price when purchased together. <a href="http://andreagallagher.com.au/shop/" target="_blank">Visit Andrea’s website</a> to find out more.

Family & Pets

7 research-backed strategies to combat ageism

In a society that values the cult of youth, it can be difficult not to fear getting older. But the way people treat you as you age not only influences your own perceptions of getting old but it can actually accelerate the ageing process. Cassey University’s Craig Fowler and colleagues believe the key to successful ageing is to resist the ageism and ageist messages that pervade society. According to Foweler’s research, the key to combat ageism is to create environments where we can age well. It acknowledges that most people feel uncertain about getting older, which creates both negative and positive feelings. If you create positive “ageing spaces” you're more likely to be less susceptible to ageism and feel much better about the ageing process. Here are seven strategies to help you create your positive ageing space. 1. Feel optimistic about getting older: Research from Yale University shows that the more positive and optimistic you are about ageing and the prospects of getting older, the longer you live. 2. Don’t attribute all behaviour to age: There’s a tendency to blame any kind of mistake when you’re older to the effects of ageing. But commonly there’s things that could happen to anyone at any age. Labelling yourself as old can lead yourself and others to treat you as less than mentally capable. 3. Refrain from ageing jokes: They’re meant to be jokes but they’re often just reinforcing ageist negative stereotypes, which could lead to self-fulfilling prophecies. 4. Plan for your future needs: Don’t pretend life won’t change in the future. You need to be willing to confront reality to plan and get ready for the changes that might affect you as you age. 5. Learn new technologies: There’s a prevailing belief that older people can’t learn new tricks, which is just not true. Not only does learning new things stimulate the brain, but defies ageist steretoypes. 6. Call out ageism when it happens: Help people who spout ageist remarks or jokes to see the folly of their ways by pointing out instances where it happens, and not just ignoring the comments. 7. Resist the anti-ageing industry: The unhappier you are about getting older, the more you’ll be susceptible to the “promises” of the anti-ageing industry. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/04/10-signs-youre-too-self-critical/">10 signs you’re too self-critical</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/04/simple-ways-to-ease-anxiety/">5 simple ways to ease anxiety</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/04/why-we-should-let-go-of-the-pursuit-of-perfect/">Why we should let go of the pursuit of perfect</a>

Mind

8 “compliments” people pay that are actually ageist

Let’s get rid of these “compliments” that demean older people – whether they’re well-intended or not. 1. When a waiter or anyone else asks an older woman, "What can I get for you today, young lady?" You would never say to a teenager, “What would you like today, Grandma?” Older people know their older than most in society, and you know what they’re actually perfectly fine with that! Like the question is implying, youth isn’t better. 2. Saying to any older person, “You’re so adorable/cute/sweet.” People only use this type of infantilising language when they think someone is incompetent or not quite on the same intellectual level as they are. That’s why these term of endearments are only applied to babies and baby animals – you never hear a grown adult being described with those type of adjectives. 3. “You’re 80 years young!” It’s meant to be a compliment, but in our youth-obsessed society it’s simply reinforcing the message: young is good, old is bad. There is nothing wrong with being older and the fear of using the word needs to stop. 4. “You’re only 80… oh that’s not old!” Again, it’s simply factually incorrect and the 80-year-old person knows that. And again, being “old” (see how it’s such a loaded term?) is not bad. 5. “You’re not what a 60-something looks like.” This compliment again underlines the fact in our society looking young (and younger for your age) is a good thing – and should be what people want. But if you’re 60-something, wouldn’t you want to look 60-something? 6. “You are still…” It’s one of those phrases that reeks of ageism when it follows an age: “She’s 70 but still volunteering” or “He’s 80 but still playing golf” or “She’s 85 but still so sharp!” The words “still” shows how society really feels about the older demographic, where people conflate ageing with illness, disability and ineptitude. Why is it a surprise when older folks can do anything that doesn’t fit in the stereotypical idea of them? 7. “You are proof that 60 is the new 40.” So being energetic, fit, engaged, interested in the world, and not looking “old” must mean that I have to be younger than my years? Again, this compliment is saying being 60 is bad. 8. “At your age, you’re allowed to forget something.” It sounds like an innocuous enough comment at first, one that is even supportive. But why has having a “senior moment” become synonymous with forgetfulness, when memory loss is in no way the sole purview of older people. People of all ages have forgotten where they parked, left something at home or can’t remember what they needed to grab from the supermarket. When all you can think about is how age defines an older person’s life, it’s ageist. Just assume the older person had a momentarily lapse in memory just like everyone else! Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/older-generation-better-at-learning/">Older generations better at learning than everyone else</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2015/12/ways-to-make-today-great/">10 sure-fire ways to make today a great day</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2015/12/positive-thinking-and-mental-health/">Can positive thinking improve your mental health?</a>

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