Is it normal for people to discriminate based on age?

61% Normal
7 Comments

My youngest friend who's like a sister to me just found out my boyfriend is almost 30 years older than me. She reacted badly based only on his age though (we're very good to each other and have a great relationship). She's always had people discriminate against her choice of boyfriends because she prefers black boys, but for some reason, I can't convey to her that age discrimination is just like ethnic, religious, sex discrimination, etc., not only existent in workplaces, but in the world. To me, it's often not talked about as a major form of discrimination (race, sex, and gay rights seem to get all the media attention), but does that make it "normal" or justifiable?

Voting Results
61% Normal
Based on 44 votes (27 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • Jweezee
    11 years ago

    Yes. Robert butler coined the term ageism in 1968. It means (kinda obvious) Prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a person's age. He actually just died today or yesterday. He did a few studies. Read up on it if you're intersted.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    I agree with you. The only time I think it's inappropriate is when the younger half of the couple is under 20 because I feel that people under this age are still children and I feel that adults should never peruse children for sex/love.

    But, Ageism goes both ways...

    For all the discrimination I've seen regarding age on the internet, there is just as much Jeunism as Adultism.

    I think that young people are quite comfortable pointing out how they are discriminated against on IIN, but they never seem to notice how prejudice they are towards people who are older than them. And adults are just too confident in themselves to call young people out on it, so attention is rarely brought to the issue.

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  • neo77
    11 years ago

    Ageism towards younger people is one of the worst forms of discrimination and, just like apartheit in the 60's, completely ignored by society.
    As someone approaching middle age but looking like in my mid-20's I experience ageist discrimination at virtually any human encounter aside from people who know the real me.

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  • tellmeimwrong
    11 years ago

    I really really hate the age thing. I'm 19 and I am oh so smitten by a woman 20 years older than me. I can't tell her because I'm too young, she would never understand. No one else would either. I could care less what people say but I care that she would be criticized and looked at poorly so I can't do that to her.

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  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    30 YEARS!?!? Admit it, that is extreme. Personally, I can't imagine what you could see in him.

    Then again, it's not like your friend has any room to speak, being a coal-burning whore and all.

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  • ILikeToPickMySkin
    11 years ago

    While I don't usually say that age matters but there are reasons why there are prejudices. He probably gets an ego boost from how young you are and might see you as arm candy and you might be too young to notice. If you're my age and he's 30 years older than you, he might still be in a mid-life-crisis phase. I don't know him, but a lot of men his age are married. Maybe you're his mistress? If he can get someone 30 years younger than him, he might not just stop at one. Honestly, this is stuff even a young guy would do.

    There are reasons for prejudices even if some of them are unjustifiable.

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  • NeuroNeptunian
    11 years ago

    It is normal but it is not justifiable.
    Unless she has a genuine concern for your health and safety (it sounds more like she is concerned about the status quo and whether or not her perfectly perfect friends in her perfectly perfect life abide by it), then it shouldn't be an issue for her.

    Yes, age discrimination does exist. Make it a point to let her know that you are in a healthy and happy relationship. If she can't accept that, well, sucks for her.

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