Aging and Ageism
Overview
Overview
Aging and ageism play a critical role in the intersectionality of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class. The term ageism was initially introduced in 1969 by physician, gerontologist, and psychiatrist Robert N. Butler, who served as the first Director of the National Institute of Aging. Although Butler, and many others who succeeded him in the field of gerontology, have generated greater awareness that a person's talents and abilities should not be restricted by age many of deep-seated biases and long-held perceptions continue to shape societal views about aging, and influence thought patterns, speech, and writings. Schlesinger Library’s legacy finding aids and other public facing documents reflect many of these biases, which include outdated and harmful terminology. Fortunately, as a special collections repository that documents women’s history and activism, many of our personal papers and organizational records highlight efforts to counteract the stigma of ageism through material support and advocacy.
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Examples of collections in our holdings that promote the aging process: Age and Ageism: Report of a Study on Ageism Experienced by Older Women, ca.1975. Papers of Marjory Collins, 1904-1985, MC 682; T-391, 5.37., Box: 5. https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/c/sch01351c00083/catalog Matilda White Riley Papers, 1844-2019: https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/sch01620/catalog Lucile Schuck Longview Papers, 1927-2010: https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/sch01469/catalog Jane Dewey Heald Papers, 1920-2011: https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/sch01576/catalog Desert Years, at KPFA, Berkeley, California. April 28, 1990. Audiotape collection of Cynthia Rich and Barbara Macdonald, 1973-1990, T-338, 13., Audiotape: 01. https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/c/sch01246c00009/catalog |
Definition and
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background
Ageism is a catchall term that describes various forms of bias or prejudice faced by older people. According to past and present gerontology studies, prejudice directed toward older adults can be summarized in several ways:
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In the following examples from our holdings, our current methods, and future strategies for remediating outdated terminology in archival finding aids, photograph captions, and Library of Congress subject headings are described. Exceptions to remediation include titles of organizations, institutions, geographical locations, or descriptions provided by the donor. Alternatives to these exceptions are included under Recommendations
Issues, examples, and recommendations:
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Finding aids
Many of our legacy finding aids contain outdated language used to describe the aging process. Collections related to institutional care of older adults offer specific examples of how this language has changed over time. Donated in the late 1970s and processed in the early 1980s. Many of these finding aids contain outdated terms such as “Old age,” “Aged,” and “Old Age Homes.”
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As emphasized throughout this guide, archivists, catalogers, and others involved in descriptive practices should solicit the opinion of donors and use their preferences.
Resources:
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Age-inclusive language: Are you using it in your writing and everyday speech?
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