Elder and Youth Oppression
Video
The two videos we have added here provide a definition and overview of adultism (youth oppression) and ageism (elder oppression). We also provide a brief description of some contemporary manifestations of ageism and adultism. Further, we discuss why we feel that ageism and adultism are important to include in any discussion of social justice.
Discussion Questions
Youth and Elder Oppression (Section 7)
CONTEXT
- How did your understanding of youth oppression and elder oppression change as a result of the readings?
- How does the description of youth oppression and elder oppression as presented in the readings differ or coincide with the understanding of youth & elder oppression that you hold?
- What are a few examples of intersections between racism and youth oppression?
- What are a few examples of intersections between racism and elder oppression?
- What are a few examples of intersections between ableism and youth oppression?
- What are a few examples of intersections between ableism and elder oppression?
- What are a few examples of intersections between youth and elder oppression and other forms of oppression?
- Using the ‘characteristics of oppression’ outlined in the conceptual frameworks section of this book, make a chart showing specific characteristics of youth oppression and specific characteristics of elder oppression. How is your chart similar to and different from those of other students in your class?
VOICES
- How has your own experience and observation of youth oppression and/or elder oppression been similar and/or different from the experiences and observations described in the “Voices” Section?
- Whose voices are included in this chapter? What additional voices might be included in this chapter?
- What kinds of experiences or observations could be added to this section?
- If you were to write a testimonial (personal story) of your own experience as a young person and/or as an elder with youth oppression and elder oppression, what would you include in that testimonial?
NEXT STEPS
- Similar to what you have read in the Next Steps section, when and where have you seen evidence of actions or behaviors that disrupt youth and elder oppression?
What are steps that you might be willing to take to increase your understanding of youth oppression?
What are steps that you might be willing to take to increase your understanding of elder oppression?
Who are others who you would like to see increase their understanding of youth oppression? What steps would you like to see them take to increase their understanding of youth oppression?
Who are others who you would like to see increase their understanding of elder oppression? What steps would you like to see them take to increase their understanding of elder oppression?
- If you were to engage in the action steps presented in this Section, what changes might you expect to see? What challenges might interfere with your engaging in these actions steps? How might you overcome these challenges?
Activities
- Common Elements of Oppression
- Assumptions about Ageism and Adultism
- Early Memories of Ageism and Adultism
- Information on Internalized Adultism
Next Steps
Guidelines for Transformation
Download: Guidelines for Transformation
Additional Web Resources
- Campus Activism
- National Youth Rights Association
- YouthLib.com: Tools for Youth Liberation Activists
- The Free Child Project
- School of Unity and Liberation
- Activism 2000 Project
- DoSomething.org: Powering Offline Action
- National Youth Leadership Council
- Detroit Summer
- Re-evaluation Counseling
- Grey Panthers: Age and Youth in Action
- Granny Peace Brigade
- The National Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
- Universal Healthcare Action Network
- The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare