Four in ten Flemings have experienced age discrimination
Four in ten Flemings have experienced age discrimination at some point. This makes age the most common source of discrimination experienced by Flemish people, more so than, for example, discrimination based on gender or political affiliation, according to a report by the Flemish Human Rights Institute.
A survey of 2,574 respondents , along with six focus groups and in-depth interviews, reveals that age discrimination is experienced by both the youngest and the oldest generations in Flanders. Just over four in ten people aged 65 and over stated that they have at some point been treated less favourably or disadvantaged on the basis of age, compared with more than six in ten 18- to 24-year-olds.
These experiences occur mainly in the workplace. Older employees speak of missed opportunities for further training, age-related redundancies and barriers to recruitment. Young people also experience discrimination in recruitment due to their lack of experience, and in the housing market. Men, young people, those with lower levels of education and people on lower incomes or in poor health are particularly likely to report age-related disadvantage.
The research also shows that stereotypes about old age are widespread. Almost all 18- to 64-year-olds associate older people with positive qualities, such as wisdom and sociability. At the same time, nearly seven in ten hold negative views of older people, seeing them as meddlesome, vulnerable and frail.
A key cause of ageism is a lack of connection between generations. Comparative research shows that intergenerational contact and awareness-raising initiatives and campaigns are particularly effective in tackling ageism. In addition, the Flemish Human Rights Institute is calling on employers, care professionals and society as a whole to actively combat ageism.
The term ageism refers to negative attitudes, perceptions and behaviour towards people based on their age. Ageism also encompasses age discrimination, which is unequal treatment or disadvantage based on age.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
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