Ageism - bigotry against young people?

I have a supervisor of 66 years of age who has a strong and obvious prejudice against young people. It seems to be against 30-somethings and younger. (Which includes myself.) It took me a while to figure out what it was; for a while I just thought it was a personality clash until I recognized some patterns.

After being exposed to someone so afflicted for so long that I can recognize the signs, lingo, etc., I've learned to spot it with some frequency in other people. It seems to be a fairly common thing among people around retirement age. Strangely, I don't see it very often in the elderly - people over around 70. It seems to be most common in men of ages 50-70.

What's going on?

Is this kind of Ageism new? Or have I just learned to recognize it? Am I correct that it is more common in a certain generation or age?

"fairly common thing among people around retirement age"

You're replacing them

it can't just be that.

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Clarify. How is the OP making an observation and asking for our opinions bigoted? Your response seems more bigoted than anything the OP had to say.

total non-sequiter.

Don't make me wish I hadn't asked.

of your age group toward our age group. I am sixty five. Also, old people get cranky because they are hurting from various ailments and sometimes it causes a short temper. I think the reason those over seventy are probably more mellow is because they don't have to work anymore so they aren't hurting as much and are rested. People should really be able to retire at 55. It's really hard to work like you are twenty when you are sixty.

I really like the youth. If there's a problem it's usually with the group 'tween 28 and 40. Below that and above that I get good vibes and laughs. Sometimes, this group treats ME like I'm yesterdays news and not worth talking to. They are soooooo busy and have all these preconcieved notions.

They are the ones who yell at me on the highway when I don't drive as fast as they do. They are the ones with no patience at the check out counters. I like them still because it reminds me of my youth...yes, I can remember the headiness of the time. ;)

But hey, some folk, no matter their age, young or old are just simply BUTTHEADS. 'Tweeners', try not to paint us all with a single brush and we boomers will do the same.

PS:I remember a slogan in my youth that said "Don't trust anyone over 30" Yikes, you tweeners have it coming and going. Sorry, could resist.

Old Hippy Here :hug:

Generalize much?

I'm wondering why these threads are popping up about rotten old people all of a sudden. Perhaps you could explain this little phenomenon to me. It certainly can cause a divide on DU where none existed before. For years young and old got along pretty good on this board, so please explain to me what you are trying to do?

It's not a conspiracy.

I was merely looking for opinions from people who might have experienced youth discrimination themselves; not to get flamed.

So why do it?

If I had been a minority or a woman with the same set of questions?

It's a perfectly valid point of discussion. Just be mindful to NOT take it as a personal jab. I mean, my people -- blacks -- got worst than flamed when they brought up the racism they experienced. Don't tell me that you're going to take the line of the racist and attack the person who feels they are being subjected to prejudice, are you? ;)

I don't think the OP is trying to divide anyone, and has brought up a perfectly reasonable observation. While I have observed limited ageism here at DU, I have been privy to it nonetheless. It does not bother me much because I was raised under a strict "respect your elders" mentality, but occasionally I have noticed that some elders do not deserve said respect. Likewise, as a poster up-thread pointed out -- I cannot recall whom -- there are buttheads in every age bracket. I can say that I have encountered plenty of ageism in my "real world" life at places like work. I mean, here I am pushing 30 and people are referring to me as "youngun"? That "tag" is especially insulting when I am confident I have seen and been through more than many of the older generation -- it's been a "hard-knock" life for some of us.

Nonetheless, I have noticed that I occasionally have an occasional attack of ageism myself; however, it is nearly always aimed at my peers and those younger than me. I don't have much of a problem with older people, but I am in awe that some of those people could have lived through the 1960s and 70s and allow this shit to stand with Bush. That is, I would imagine they would take a leading role in showng us how to organize and start one hell of a public uproar, but that has not been the case at all to date. At the same time I don't blame them because young people are perfectly able to get involved in politics, and more often than not my peers choose to not even vote. That is thoroughly disgusting to me...

I guess I like the poster bringing the idea up because it is a valid point of discussion, and if people would not take it personally we could stand to learn a thing or two... I don't know, just my two cents.

Has it ever occurred to you that we are too old with many diseases that prevent us from doing so? I personally myself suffer from Oesteosporosis, which is quite painful and limits physical activity.

Also, I am suffering from temporary blurred vision, so I can't drive and public transportation is very expensive here, limiting me to necessity and nothing more.

Besides that, no one taught us. We had to look to Ghandi and other rebel movements to figure something out. Also, what I could offer you, which is my experience, meets with immediate hostility the minute I open my mouth and I get that "shut up old lady and don't preach to us look".

So sorry pals, you are going have to take off those training pants and move up to the real thing. You are going to have to make this world into the one you want to live in. The elderly clean up crew will be long gone by then.

"At the same time I don't blame them because young people are perfectly able to get involved in politics, and more often than not my peers choose to not even vote. That is thoroughly disgusting to me..."

figure out how we are going to go gracefully into our old age with no medical insurance,gas prices sky high, food prices equally high, our 20-30 something kids still or again living at home because they can't find a descent paying job (therefor we have to work longer not able to retire),who knows what's gonna happen to soc. security,maybe we're just a little busy doing that kind of stuff that we don't have time to hold your hand and help you figure out what we already figured out in the 60's and 70's. Stand up and scream, get mad, be heard, don't wait for the other guy to do it for you, because if it ain't worth doing for yourself it ain't worth doing!

"At the same time I don't blame them because young people are perfectly able to get involved in politics, and more often than not my peers choose to not even vote. That is thoroughly disgusting to me..."

Clearly, I don't feel my peers do enough. Especially in light of what has been accomplished by previous generations. If you read what I posted, we actually agree.

But hey, some folk... are just simply BUTTHEADS.

They are everywhere. One learns to deal!

Edit: DAMN HTML!

I suggest to the OP that she? take your post to heart and then try her damnedest to erase the perception.

....when you're past your fiftieth birthday and then see how much sympathy you have for "ageism" directed toward youth.

You could certainly get a job at the company I work for. I've seen people your age get jobs because they're hired by other people your age while more qualified younger people weren't even given serious consideration. It seems that sympathy trumps qualifications sometimes.

I've seen companies run by women who only hire women - presumably to make up for all those years of discrimination against women - as if two wrongs make a right. You OK with that too, then?

I think you ought to offer some proof of that. Because if what you say is true, you can report them to the labor board for age discrimination, which the last time I checked was against the law.

and I could be looking for a job myself before long if I do.

concrete to offer other than accusations.

Did you do the kneejerk with your RIGHT knee?

When a woman or a minority claims discrimination do you automatically assume they're making it up; or just when it's a young person and it offends YOU?

I could round up a dozen employees that have heard my supervisor make remarks about people not knowing anything because they're young among other things. Those same people could give testimony of bias and favoritism with specific examples. There is another manager (52 years old if you must know) who also thinks it's painfully obvious, and has a problem with it as well, because it affects his ability to assign work as he sees fit. If I could get in my supervisor's desk I could show you stacks of resumes that would show you people on one hand with tons of technical experience and education vs. other people who did the same obsolete job for years and got the job.

What do you suppose would happen to me if I opened this can of worms?

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Those threads get locked pretty quickly as I think this one eventually will.

'When a woman or a minority claims discrimination do you automatically assume they're making it up; or just when it's a young person and it offends YOU?

You don't have to be young to offend me. I am an equal opportunity offendee. All age groups can participate. :-)

To move on to the rest of your post. You seem to have a toxic work environment there and targetting old people is scapegoating. I would more accurately target what appears to be your Republican thinking supervisors. Yeah, they get hateful in old age. But please don't lump all of us in this "us and them" mentality.

It seems you have a good case to bring up to the right authorities, like personnel in your company or even elsewhere like the Labor Board if you do it right. Any storefront lawyers in your area? I would try to get some legal advice on this before taking action.

Especially in light of the fact that there are some companies that do hire strictly based on sex or race. Take where I live for example -- even if I wanted to -- and trust me, I've no interest whatsoever -- I could not get hired as a stripper! Eee-gads! On a serious note though, I have read job descriptions that have said, "Preference given to Native Americans," or "Native American only position." What in the world?!? You're right though, sometimes the courageous step must be taken of reporting these people; however, I tried reporting the Native American thing and was basically told I'm nuts. What gives?

....I wasn't talking about me.

Secondly, "people your age" often tend not to have much respect for experience and, therefore, tend not to factor that in when deciding who's "more qualified" and who isn't.

Thirdly, the "sympathy" remark lends credence to item #2 above.

Lastly, when you see all women in an operation, do you just automatically assume that the women employed there were hired just "to make up for all those years of discrimination against women", or does the possibility, however remote it may seem to you, even cross your mind that each might have been the most qualified for the position when hired?

I've really tried not to generalize while I'm at this. That is because there ARE a lot of older people who I do respect and learn quite a lot from. At the age of 33, in a company of 65 employees, I'm the 2nd youngest person right behind the bosses daughter. ; )

In this company, comprised of more than a few white-haired old men, I have exactly ONE person who I accuse of ageism. Being treated differently than my older counterparts by vendors, customers and people in other places is equally random.

My girlfriend happens to work at one of these (mostly) all-female companies and confirms that it's like a joke among "the girls". I've heard confirmation of one other case, so it DOES happen. Perhaps it's subconscious - I don't know.

I DO get the point you're trying to make though. But see my point too. Respect is a two-way street. ; )

of this "ageism". Maybe you just work for an asshat. They come in all colors, ages, sexes, etc.

Having said that I once worked for a women-owned all female company and I'm sure these super-controlling owners (sisters in their early 50's) only hired "girls"--which was fully acknowledged--because NO MAN would BEGIN to put up with the manipulative, bizarre crap they doled out. Seriously.

"more qualified younger people weren't even given serious consideration."

I've done hiring, and there are hundreds of things that fo into making a hiring decision. I might suggest you think about your own attitude in that regard. To work well with others, you have to be able to get along with them whether you "like" them or not.

As a supervisor, I'm seeing some very telling things in your responses.

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my father lost his job when he was 51 and he never worked again.

"After being exposed to someone so afflicted for so long that I can recognize the signs, lingo, etc., I've learned to spot it with some frequency in other people."

What signs, lingo, etc. do you notice?

Are you serious, or are you just looking for ammo to attack me too?

It seems "experience" doesn't necessarily mean any kind of valuable experience. Having been employeed for a longer time, apparantly, is sometimes counted as "experience" even when that work did nothing to prepare them for the job being hired for, while having similar jobs at other companies is given no value because it was for a shorter time.

My manager will only go to other older people with job instructions even if it means that the other person has to turn around and go tell the correct (young) person who needs to know those instructions - even if it goes against company seniority or chain of command.

I have gone to my supervisor with suggestions or to tell him about something important that needed to be done or fixed on many occasion and have not been taken seriously. I will go tell my older comrad what's going on and ask him to go talk to the supervisor which he will do and get instantanious results.

I've sat around a table in a room of diverse people and made a suggestion only to be ignored. An older coworker will later repeat what I said and get a response of "Great idea!"

More?
You're either going to believe me or assume I'm just a disgruntled employee, but you should know that I am a favorite "go-to" person of a variety of other people within the company, including other older managers.

Different communication styles?
Other aspects of the pecking order you may not see yet?
Unfortunately, if you are an "idea person" --sounds like you are-- you will possibly find this resistance in other workplace situations. May not be ageist (only). Check out the Peter Principle.

Good luck :hi:

This isn't exactly my first job. And, like I said, haven't had this trouble with other managers of same age as my supervisor.

I've also had this job for over 4 years under this manager; you'd think if it was something else we'd have worked it out already. Seems like a long enough time for a halfway intelligent person to figure out that his boss treats the people he works with differently based on their ages.

Oh, well. At least my girlfriend and one other manager believes me. : (

MAKE A MOVE.

You're in a co. that respects tenure. You're ONLY 4 years in. They percieved you as a "baby" when you came in and although you 've grown & changed in 4 years, they have not. Not a value judgement on them--just a fact. Their perception of you has not changed. Not your fault, just human nature.

Make a move--reinvent yourself in a new environment.

not complaining.) Seems whenever a Bush is in office the staffing biz goes away.

They seem to have that negative affect on things like the job market and the economy, don't they? Nasty little buggers these Bushes.

NOW we're getting somewhere! Thanks.
How do you suppose I deal with the fact that a "newbie" can get hired who is much older than me and still get much more respect than me without having more skills?

appropriate environment. Do not I repeat do nat accept an offer from any company where the median employe age is 60. Or 25, for that matter. Management perpetuates itsself. Find a new manager who's not more than one generation removed from yourself. Now get going. You're in a great position to take your time and focus your energy, and you have leverage, as you're currently employed.

I really appreciate your support. You're one of the few on this thread that's even been able to admit that it might actually be happening, and the only person to offer encouragement.

I quiver at thought of the dredded, but impending interview question:
"So, why do you want to leave your current job?"
By the gutteral reactions shown on this thread, I think it's probably best if I come up with a generic answer like, "I'm looking for more opportunities/responsibility... blah, blah..." ;)

Thanks again.

"It seems "experience" doesn't necessarily mean any kind of valuable experience."

That is your OPINION. You cannot expect a hiring decision maker to play by your rules. They know what is needed and try to hire accordingly.

BTW, I've made some mistakes, I freely admit. I dealt with them as necessary.

"I've sat around a table in a room of diverse people and made a suggestion only to be ignored. An older coworker will later repeat what I said and get a response of "Great idea!"

If anyone responding in this thread has never experienced a similar situation, I'll be damn shocked. It happens because the successful presentater kisses ass, is a buddy, is deeply involved in office politics, has made a clearer presentation, etc.

Work is a microcosm of life. You get screwed, you deal. Politics reigns supreme. You deal. People have to work together who don't get along. You deal.

I'm sorry, but your attitude in this thread tells me much about you as a worker. I doubt it has escaped notice at your employer (maybe it has).

Life is unfair. So is work. Sometimes, in work, the violation is so egregious something has to be done. But it takes a LOT to make that happen. My husband has brown skin--you want to talk about discrimination? Talk to me--I dare you.

I have seen a clear bias in my current job when it comes to my opinions and views being listened to by the middle-age white males in my group. I've actually been in the position where I've recommended new implementations for software develop or multimedia design and get ignored. Only to have that idea recycled in the same form a few hours or days later by a white male. Of course, I am black and live in Oklahoma, so what did I expect? I've been one of the only Democrats -- and it is known that I am politically active -- in an office of Republicans. I don't kiss ass and I have very strong views on controversial issues like women's reproductive rights (abortion) and death being utterly useless as a deterrant (the death penalty). Do I air these views at work? No. If I am asked a question concerning politics, do I answer honestly? Yes. Do I give my answers -- however strongly I may feel -- in as diplomatic a way as possible? Yes, I have I bring in money and have food and a roof over my head. Do I think this has played a factor in my ideas being ignored and recycled by someone else -- the proverbial kiss-ass -- later? Yes. You're absolutely right, blondeatlast, in your observations. I have figured out other ways to present my ideas to at least see them discussed -- sometimes I experience the same old things and then sometimes I see results. There is policking involved.

However, I don't see the OP or his other posts on this thread as indicative of anything negative. DU is very much a venting place for a lot of people who otherwise keep quiet and remain a part of "the great silent majority." I've said it more than once myself, and so have others, DU is my anchor to sanity. Honestly, I don't know how I would have fared if I did not have the wonderful people on this board to talk to after that dammed "election" in November. So, I think the OP was simply seeking to vent and get the view of his fellow DUers on what he considers an important issue. That does not mean that he shows these attitudes at work. I keep a lot of things to myself and then only later do I "vent" with DU members or attempt to get a reasonable observation or two from DUers. I think -- and I could be wrong -- that this is exactly what the OP was/is trying to do.

I realize that emotion could cause me to percieve things differently or worse than thay are. I've tried to look at this objectivly and to rethink through things after the emotion has passed. Please be aware that I'm not the only person with this perception. I've actuall had other people who have noticed it come to ME, asking me what was going on. There is another manager who feels my skills aren't being utilized by the company as well as they could because of this bias.

I have also seen it on occasion as a bystander when someone else was dismissed as "just a young guy" without being affected myself.

sounds like that might be what's going on.

And/or your manager feels threatened by you.

They think they know everything, own history, and were destined to be the first generation to live forever while ruling the world. They forgot about, you know, handing it on to the kids being a good thing and a goal. And look at the world they've wrought.

Yes, I know some of you are good people, but I've seen this pattern in all kinds of individuals all over the political spectrum.

I've read this thread through, and you've said you're only having this problem with one or two people personally at your current workplace. You've stated that you haven't noticed this phenomenon other places you've worked. But you're trying to make the case that there is a widespread problem with "ageism" against younger people. Seems like there is a bit of a disconnect here friend. Sounds like you're trying to blow an isolated set of circumstances into a full blown, wide spread conspiracy. Sorry, I'm not buying it.

Could it be that this is simply a problem limited to these one or two people at your workplace:shrug: Perhaps you should investigate that line of reasoning before jumping out and generalizing it to a whole population.

The poster is seeking to discuss it with people he considers reasonable. I don't think he thought he'd get personal attacks by fellow DUers...

Lots of people are seeming to take broad generalizations personally. The OP was simply asking a polite question about a personal observation.

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Slept in a Holiday Inn last night? What are you talking about? You put your thoughts up in a PUBLIC discussion forum. That's all the good reason anyone needs to respond to them. I'm not attacking you at all, but I am seeking to understand your way of thinking about the issue. I think you can read my other posts on this thread alone and see that I don't think the OP's concept that ageism flows one way is correct. In fact, I believe that it works both ways, and some posters on this thread have highlighted this in humorous ways. I've been in positions where I am driving where I have been annoyed with older Americans for driving too slow, and then turn around and got pissed not five minutes later when a young person -- or a peer -- speeds through a residential area. I'm not giving you anymore shit than you've given me, but I am not going to take personal jabs and not jab back. I'm a fighter. It's in my nature. I would not change that for anything in the world. I see you're a fighter too. I respect that. Passion as resolute as yours is a great asset to liberal and progressive causes. My life is actually pretty damn good honestly, and I will ignore your personal attacks. I understand that you have become overly upset, and I don't blame you for it, but I would urge you to realize that we're on the same side here. I don't agree with the way you've approached the issue, but hot damn, I admire your forthrightness and tenacity in presenting your views. I'm locally involved in politics and I use that same fire to attack the opposition party here. You may think I'm small, but I know I am quite courageous. I also know that it is your passion that causes you to jab at me. Things don't have to be worthy of being alerted for me to respond to them either. Am I attempting to diffuse a volatile situation? Yes, because I consider it a waste of time and energy to argue with someone whom I believe I would probably love to have as a political ally. Nonetheless, I will throw off and vigorously respond to allegations thrown my way.

With that said, I return to the original point of the thread... I both agree and disagree with the OP. I feel that ageism runs both ways because I have observed it within my self aimed in both directions. Likewise, I don't know if it is an "ism" at all so much as a factor of human nature.

You responded to my original post by stating that I was doing a personal attack on the OP. And when I disagreed with you on this, it escalated from there. You still aren't responding to me as to WHY you thought I was attacking the OP, but you keep throwing it out there anyway. Will you answer that question? Or will you keep personally attacking me?

Look, I don't care for your rationalizations anymore, in fact I really don't care for this thread anymore. You've taken a legitimate question of mind and turned it into a cudgel to beat me over the head with, jacking this thread in the process.

Con-fucking-gratulations friend, I hope your happy. You've alieanted a fellow liberal to the point where you shut up legit critical questions. Are you happy now?

Very happy. I at least sought to return to the original point of the thread. I answered your question. You may not have found my answer to your liking, but that is your choice. I do hope that you don't hold grudges, because I still strongly feel that you're one hell of a liberal. I hope you're putting your passionate nature to good use. I hope you will get pass this disagreement between two like minded people. Lastly, I hope to talk to you in the future. If you are alienated, then that is through no cause of mine -- you are ultimately responsible for how you feel. I am responsible for how I feel, and I feel fine. Absolutely fine and happy. I wish you the same peace of mind.

Which is why did you think that I was personally attacking the OP in my original post?

and has clearly stated that he felt he was being unfairly flamed.

And I feel free to air my opinions freely on this board, which is why I do not consider this to be "interference."

Geez, I can't believe this thread, a perfectly reasonable discussion, is being hijacked by the "flame police" Get a grip folks, and leave the police work to the mods OK:eyes:

As you pointed out, the original poster said the overwhelming evidence of his experience has shown NO discrimination against people his age by older supervisors.

So then he goes and posts a question asking whether his BAD experiences are the norm.

I would've thought his more logical question would have been whether ageism against people his age is as negligible as he's found it.

Instead I'm getting torched for daring to post the question. What is this board coming to?:shrug:

I haven't said that ALL people do it and, elsewhere on the thread, I've stated many cases where it hasn't happened. But I HAVE seen it enough that I think it merits asking the question. You can disagree or tell your own story or attack the person who asked the question.

I've done it many times for others.

If you see it, do it. I see nothing alertable, IMHO.

Hopefully we can get back to the original discussion now.

However, I do think people are failing to see the OP's point. They were making an observation and they wanted to discuss it. Now they want to say he's the pot calling the kettle black. I'm just saying that we should be civil in discussing this. I have seen "ageism" run both ways, and either way it is ugly and wrong.

expected to handle it with kid gloves?

If that what DU is about, I'm outta here. But it isn't and I'm staying.

DUers are very diverse, and sometimes someone is going to hit a nerve. In this discussion, as heated as it has become, I see no "alertable" violations ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

As to your last statement, I couldn't agree more. I'm a tweener, and I supervise people in various age groups. It can be a tough road to hoe sometimes.

Work can't be ideal--God knows I know that.

Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about. Did you see him repressing me? You saw it, didn't you?

You have a problem with your supervisor & you're projecting.

From what you've said & what I've observed, I'd say you are NOT correct that ageism is more common in a "certain" generation or age. You mean the Boomer generation, don't you? The one that's wrecking Social Security?

with the way this has gone.

The Democratic Party is supposed to be against discrimination of any kind.

I've been greeted with nothing but skepticism and hostility with the exception of one or two posters who I appreciate very much. I'd expect this from a rightwing forum where their kneejerk reaction to anyone claiming discrimination is with attack, but not from THIS forum.

I've even been accused of trying to divide the Party! I'm really shocked. How are we supposed to pull together to win elections - or better, to help people once we do if we can't try to look past our own prejudices and strive for some objectivity?

Suppose I'm not crying wolf? How would you even know?

But you've displayed several reasons why your bosses might have problems with you.

These things are difficult to prove and you know it. Besides, I'm not in a court of law - I started a discussion and asked questions.

So, tell me? Without being here and seeing any of this, how did you come to the conclusion that it must be me that's the problem? You're making a lot of assumptions based on what little I can only attempt to explain on a message board. Your INTENTIONS have been to attack and discredit me from the beginning.

A Zell Miller interview would have so much relevance in a topic about ageism. I'm not too sure about ageism in the workplace since the only job I've ever had was at my dad's business and Footlocker. One is obviously my dad, and at footlocker there's nothing but young people working there.

Anways about Zell for those who saw his interview on TDS, he was talking about how great things were back in his day, and brought up basball's steroid controversy and talked about how baseball was so much better back in his day and Stewart brought up how baseball was segregated and Zell pretty much shut up about that subject. My main point being that older people seem to have serious nostalgia. They tend to think that there generation was so much better than the current generation and in some ways it is, but in some ways there generation was much more.

My intention was to come here and get some advise and learn something.
I was HOPING to find out if anyone else had ever experienced it,
see what signs of it they've seen and see how they delt with it.

Instead I've been spending my time defending myself against people who, from the beginning, assumed the worst about me and refuse to even admit the possibility that it might actually be happening.

"elderly" is considered an ageist, outmoded term. Connotations of frailty, incapacity.

Elder is a more appropriate term.

"over around 70"?!!! Haahaha!!!! You may be the object of reverse-ageism, but you sure gotta start looking at your own ageist ideas.

Join the Gray Panthers, and learn what activism they are up to! I used to belong, and they were very active in anti war protests, and other liberal causes, including fighting ageism of ALL kinds.

Sorry. I will try to do better. I hope to be "Elder" someday. ;)
Unless the other people from this thread find my house!

Elders are having to fight stereotypes, and your assistance is needed and appreciated!

I gotta say that I appreciate that you attend a thread you started! So many folks throw stuff out there & just watch. I admire your participation! Thanks for the discussion.

But unfortunately a lot of the fuss happened while I slept. ;)
Take care.

Ageism against "elders" is well researched and documented. We see the effects of such in the workforce, poverty rates, allocation of public funding, early retirement incentives in private companies, forced retirement, images of older people on television, in Hollywood, etc.

A young person claiming ageism is parallel to a white person claiming racism.

I'm not denying your experience, just stating that in a broader context, on a societal level, it's an exception to the rule type of experience.

that you're right. Ageism against elders is common and well documented.

That doesn't mean that it doesn't happen the other way around. It just makes it harder to admit, apparantly.

While what you say may very well be true, it's not an excuse for the opposite to happen, nor is a reason to ignore it when it does and/or allow it to happen.

There is not doubt in my mind that if I tried to report it, it would be an uphill battle. My best bet is to seek employment elsewhere and try not to think about the next young person who becomes employed here. (Not that it happens very often. Like I said, I'm 33, I'm the second youngest, and there are only two other people here under the age of 40 out of 65 employees.)

Perhaps, if I had stated UP FRONT that I understood that ageism against elders was common and well documented, I would have better luck in this thread. ;)