What term describes systematic stereotyping and discrimination against people because they are old?

• A. Ageism
• B. Age Discrimination
• C. Gerontophobia
• D. Senescence Bias

Answer: (A)

Ageism. The concept here is prejudice and discrimination based on aging, which encompasses both the stereotypes about older people and the biased actions that follow in various domains like work, healthcare, and media. Ageism captures how these beliefs become systematic and lead to unequal treatment.

Age discrimination focuses more on the actual unequal treatment or policies, not the underlying attitudes and stereotypes. Gerontophobia is about fear or aversion to aging or older people, which can fuel negative feelings but isn’t the standard term for the broad pattern of bias and mistreatment. Senescence bias isn’t a recognized term in this context.