Aging and Ageism
Overview
Aging and Ageism are issues that touch on Schlesinger Library’s intersectional workings 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 other social scientists, community groups, and individuals have generated greater awareness that a person's talents and abilities should not be restricted by age, long held biases and presumptions continue to shape societal views about aging. Like many libraries and archival repositories, Schlesinger Library contains legacy finding aids and other public facing documents with outdated terminology, including those that describe older adults. Fortunately, as a special collections repository that actively promotes women’s history, our holdings also include the papers of women who sought ways to counteract ageism, which is documented in firsthand accounts, material support, and advocacy. 1
Definition and 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:
1) Prejudicial attitudes toward older people, the aging process, and their age. It may include attitudes held by the elderly themselves;
2) discriminatory practices against the elderly, particularly in employment, but in other social roles as well; and
3) institutional practices and policies which, often without malice, perpetuate stereotypic beliefs about the elderly, reduce their opportunities for a satisfactory life and undermine their personal dignity.2
Current studies by several age-focused organizations, including AARP and the umbrella organization Leaders of Aging Organizations (LAO), conclude that outdated terms such as seniors, the elderly, and the aged, reinforce stereotypical attitudes that equate aging with decline, isolation, depression, illness, and other physical limitations. This in turn perpetuates the view of older adults as “others.”3
In the following examples from our holdings, our methods for remediating outdated terminology found in archival finding aids, photograph captions, and Library of Congress subject headings are described.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:
Updating finding aids with modern terminology
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. These finding aids contain outdated terms such as “Old age,” and “Old Age Homes.” Other issues associated with legacy finding aids involve decisions about how to handle titles, which is discussed below.
EXAMPLE 1: Winchester Home for Aged Women Records
Home for Aged Women (Boston, Mass.) Records
In comparison, Cambridge Home Records, processed in 2004, contains descriptive language and subject headings that reflect a more updated view of institutionalized care for older adults. (See also Controlled Access below).
Comparisons between photo captions, image, and current descriptive language
Many original photograph captions contain outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate language that refers to older adults as old, aged, or elderly.
EXAMPLE 2:
The original inscription of this photograph reads “Brighton, old woman with cigarette, 1972...” A more complete, revised description takes into consideration that her name is unknown: "Unidentified woman on a city street with a bus in the background.” For additional details see: https://images.hollis.harvard.edu/permalink/f/1j77md3/HVD_VIAolvwork446617
In this 1975 photograph, the caption reads “Gray Panthers demonstration, the aged demonstrate against subway and bus increases.” Based on this image, the term aged seems at odds for these older adults.
EXAMPLE 3: Controlled access
Revisions to Library of Congress terms have been used to address some legacy descriptions. Examples currently in use include:
- Aging--United States
- Ageism—United States
- Older adults
- Older people
- Older people home care
- Older people—Housing
- Older women--Institutional care--[Geographic location]
The resources consulted for this guide suggest many preferred terms for individuals who are 65 years as well as describing older adults by specific age range. Other suggestions include avoiding terms that valorize longevity or describe a medical condition as if it were part of an individual’s identity. Examples include afflicted, suffering, stricken. Using the term “diagnosed with” offers a more accurate and people first description. Similarly, the term senile, which is outdated, should be replaced with “dementia” or “dementia” due to Alzheimer’s disease.4
Euphemisms, which some would argue are less offensive, are also used to describe older adults. Examples would include golden years, senior citizen, etc. As a rule of thumb, people first language should be the first choice when using descriptive language. Sub-division by ethnic group, location, or chronological data helps add specificity for researchers.
In instances where titles of collections, publications, etc., contain outdated terms, we recommend using a processing note, or a footnote to provide context and rationale for leaving the term as is.5
As emphasized throughout this guide, archivists, catalogers, and others involved in descriptive practices should solicit the opinion of donors and use their preferences.
Resources:
Age-inclusive language: Are you using it in your writing and everyday speech?
The Disrupt Aging Classroom (aarp.org)
Glossary Of Ageism Terms - Dictionary.com www.dictionary.com/e/ageism-terms/
Gerontological Society on Aging: Age Inclusive Language: https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/sites.wustl.edu/dist/1/2391/files/2022/02/Age-Inclusive-Language-Guidelines-2022.pdf