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Section 1: RECOGNITION

Module 5: Diversity, ageism and

violenceViolence Prevention Initiative

Respect Aging:Preventing Violence against Older Persons

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Agenda

• Welcome• Learning together:

• Diversity, ageism and violence• Small group activity • Reporting back to whole group• Wrap-up / Evaluation

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Diversity & older persons in NL

• Oldest population in Canada

• Age diversity in NL (2011)

• 48,855 people 65-74

• 24,695 people 75-84

• 8,560 people 85+

• Each age group has differing needs

• More diversity: sex, ethnicity, ability, health status

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Dimensions of diversity

Primary dimensions

Secondary dimensions

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Dimensions of diversity: visibility

Primary dimensions

Secondary dimensions

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Differences can lead to…

• Prejudice

• Stereotyping

• Discrimination

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Prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination…

• Ignorance and fear

• Preserve power and control

• Violence and threats

• Claims of natural superiority

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Prejudice

• A negative attitude

• Tends to be driven by emotion

• Means to “pre-judge”

• Can lead to dehumanization

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Stereotype• A generalization

• Don’t see individual differences

• Family, peers, media, society

• Don’t see the whole person

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Discrimination

• An action (or lack of action)

• Based on prejudiced attitudes and stereotypes

• Denial of fair treatment or equal rights

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Stereotype, prejudice or discrimination?

1. “She is a woman so she knows how to cook and clean.”

2. “I don’t care if he has a good reference; we don’t hire men to work in this day care centre.”

3. “They are wearing turbans; stay away from them – they might be hiding bombs.”

4. “Mexicans are good soccer players.”

5. “Old people are frail.”

6. “That lady is too old for this job.”

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“isms”• Ageism

• Ableism

• Classism

• Heterosexism

• Racism

• Sexism

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Ageism• Ageist attitudes towards older people contribute toward their invisibility, marginalization and social exclusion.

• They are seen as second-class citizens.

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• Age

• Ability

• Mental status

• Sexual orientation

• Sex, gender

• Aboriginal

• Rural, isolated

• Income

• Housing

• Culture/language

• Food preferences

• Education, literacy

• Marital status

• Health status

Dimensions of diversity that may cause challenges for older persons

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Violence impacts different older persons in different ways

•Older women

•Older immigrants, refugees

•Older Aboriginal persons

•Older persons living with disabilities

•Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender older persons

•Older persons living with HIV/AIDS

•Isolated and rural older persons

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So what can you do?

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Increase awareness• Ensure differences are respectfully acknowledged and addressed

• Avoid stereotyping older persons or any persons

• Be aware of cultural differences

• Be aware of gender differences

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Take action against ageism

• Examine your own biases

• Question ageist language and images

• Challenge ageist “jokes”

• Do not discriminate

• Respect and celebrate all ages

• Be curious, not judgmental

• Learn about aging in other cultures