Age and Ageism … some further thoughts

The recent withdrawal of President Joe Biden as a candidate for the upcoming American presidential election and the various responses to that event set me thinking once again about the manner in which ageing is addressed in the world today. In a world that has become progressively more politically correct we are made aware of the need to be sensitive to discrimination in all its various manifestations. Ageism simply stated is the prejudice or discrimination against people on the grounds of their age¹. President Biden a man of 81 had been the presumptive Democratic Party candidate elected through the process of primaries across the various American states but in recent months appeared to lose track of his thoughts in a debate with his Republican opponent and made a series of gaffes during public engagements most notably mistakenly calling Ukraine’s President Zelensky, Vladimir Putin. It also appeared to many that he was becoming increasingly frail and stiff during public engagements.

Understandably this was concerning not only Americans but many around the world given that President Biden is the leader of one of the most powerful countries of the world who should have his finger on the pulse of happenings both in his own country and around the world. The concern is understandable but the degree to which the man was mocked and the subject of derisive social media posts belies a deeper concern in a world where the youth dominate. There is a view that the elderly are somehow incapable of understanding the complexities of the modern world and in particular that of a digital age and its virtual world as evidenced by parodies and cartoons that appear across social media. Those who advised and supported President Biden to step aside in favour of his younger Vice President did so some partly through self interest in terms of their political futures but hopefully there were others who did so, assisting the President in a respectful and compassionate manner. Certainly his erstwhile political opponent in his late 70’s showed no such respect or compassion in his response to Biden’s withdrawal while many of his actions both past and present should give cause for concern.

Age certainly brings with it infirmities that progress as the years accumulate but age also brings experience and wisdom that has its value even in the fast moving world of today. As the populations in many of the developing countries age, ailments and diseases related to physical aging increase but it is also important to accept that these are not seen solely in older people but can present at an earlier age. Dementia, which has become an increasing challenge in many communities, is more frequent in aging populations and research into factors that can delay its onset and slow its progression have become a greater priority. Clearly age brings with it physical limitations but it is not necessarily associated with a decline in the ability of an individual to contribute to the world around them. Forgetfulness is not dementia and is not a characteristic solely of those of advancing years!

In a world where a written document once took hours and days to compile and often longer to disseminate, communication has now become instantaneous. The time for careful consideration and thought has shrunk. Increasingly communication has become verbal and immediate and the result has not necessarily been to the advantage of society in general. People communicate increasingly via channels such as X (formerly Twitter) using the language of verbal sound bites often to address complex and weighty issues. Has it not become too easy to communicate and have we not become too eager to engage in “conversations”? Could it not be an advantage to stop more often, think and reflect as those of more advanced years are more likely to do?

I am again reminded of the Bob Dylan song, an anthem in my youth, “The Times They are A-Changin” which includes the lyrics “Don’t stand in the doorway, Don’t block up the hall” …. “Your sons and your daughters, Are beyond your command.” Rather than seek to push the elderly out of the way as Dylan suggested then, although he may think differently still performing actively having reached the age of 82, it may be of value to seek their advice and wisdom. I am reminded of the African term Gogo that refers to elderly women who in many instances hold vulnerable and marginalised communities together.

Having retired at 67 and now approaching 76, I have certain frailties that accompany ageing but I contest that fact that I should be regarded as irrelevant and marginalised as a result of my advancing years. Certainly as appears to have happened with President Biden, if I become incapacitated in any manner, I would hope that those close to me would have both the compassion and courage to tell me so. But that decision should be based on capacity and not my chronological age alone. It seems to me that we need to reflect on how the Biden saga has played out in America and what lessons can be learnt. It may be an opportunity to realise the pervasive influence of ageism in our societies and the degree to which it results in both harm to individuals and to society as a whole.

1. Oxford English Dictionary