Status: 12/15/2022 1:44 p.m
They block posts, are a burden to others and don’t help in the fight against the climate crisis – that’s apparently how many people think about older people. The anti-discrimination officer is therefore calling for more action against “ageism”.
According to a study by the Anti-Discrimination Agency, many Germans have prejudices and negative attitudes towards older people. Ferda Ataman, the federal anti-discrimination commissioner, said when presenting the figures that she was shocked by how widespread the view was that older people should withdraw from society. “Especially with a view to demographic change, it is important that we provide more information here,” said Ataman.
According to the data, around a third of those surveyed perceive older people as blockers and demand that they give up professional and social roles to make room for younger people. More than half are of the opinion that the elderly do not contribute to social progress. According to the study, 51 percent are in favor of a regulation according to which “people may only hold political offices up to a certain age, such as up to 70 years of age”. According to the information, 2000 people aged 16 and over were interviewed.
Generation conflict climate crisis?
According to Ataman, the study also shows “that there is great potential for tension between the generations when it comes to issues such as political participation and climate protection.” Take the climate crisis as an example: 40 percent of those surveyed believe that the young would be let down by the old in the fight against the climate crisis – almost two-thirds of the youngest respondents said this.
Ataman called the numbers drastic. They showed that clichés and stereotypes about older people are firmly entrenched. Experts refer to blanket statements such as “older people are unable to perform well enough”, “not adaptable” or “not fit enough” as “ageism”, a term that is still hardly known in Germany. Ataman: “Ageism often leads to discrimination in everyday life and at work.”
“Age” should be included in the Basic Law
In working life and in everyday business, it is already forbidden today to disadvantage people because of their age. In order to set a political signal, Ataman calls for the term “age” to be included in Article 3 of the Basic Law. It prohibits the unequal treatment of people, for example because of their religion, skin color or gender.