Age Discrimination’s Silent Epidemic

Why American Society Targets the 55+ Crowd Without Outcry

Baybay City, Philippines | July 9, 2025, 0700 EDT

Age discrimination is one of the last socially acceptable prejudices in modern society, yet it remains largely invisible in public discourse. While Millennials and Gen Z face their share of critiques, slights, and stereotypes, it is the older population — particularly those aged 55 and above — who endure the most blatant and unchallenged discrimination. This is especially notable given the demographic and economic shifts that should be propelling greater respect and inclusion for older adults.

The workplace exemplifies this disparity. Research consistently demonstrates that older workers face significant barriers in hiring, retention, and advancement (Posthuma & Campion, 2013). According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), age discrimination charges accounted for nearly 20% of all discrimination complaints in 2022, a figure that has risen steadily over the past decade (EEOC, 2023). Employers often perceive older workers as less adaptable, less technologically savvy, or more expensive due to higher salaries and benefits. These biases persist despite studies showing older workers frequently outperform younger colleagues in reliability, problem-solving, and commitment (Ng & Feldman, 2012).

Public perception compounds this problem. Unlike Millennials or Gen Z, who often generate vocal responses through social media and activism, older adults typically lack the platforms or cultural capital to amplify their grievances. Meanwhile, societal narratives subtly frame aging as decline and obsolescence, reinforcing negative stereotypes (Palmore, 2001). The silence surrounding age discrimination perpetuates its existence, leaving older individuals vulnerable to exclusion from economic opportunities, healthcare equity, and social participation.

Ironically, this discrimination emerges even as populations age globally. The United Nations projects that by 2050, one in six people worldwide will be over age 65, underscoring the urgency to confront ageism head-on (United Nations, 2019). Moreover, older adults contribute significantly to economies, volunteerism, and cultural preservation, making their marginalization not only unethical but counterproductive.

In stark contrast to the heightened awareness and advocacy for younger generations’ rights and identities, ageism remains a shadow issue — ignored by media, under-addressed in policy, and rarely discussed in mainstream conversations. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these disparities, with many older adults facing neglect in healthcare prioritization and societal support — yes, I saw that. (Lloyd-Sherlock et al., 2020).

To foster truly equitable societies, recognition of age discrimination must grow. Employers must adopt inclusive hiring and retention practices, lawmakers must strengthen protections, and media must challenge stereotypes. Above all, society must listen to and uplift older voices. Until then, ageism will continue as a silent epidemic undermining human dignity and social cohesion.

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References

• EEOC. (2023). Age discrimination charges statistics. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/statistics
• Lloyd-Sherlock, P., et al. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on older adults. The Lancet Healthy Longevity, 1(3), e100-e101. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-7568(20)30012-1
• Ng, T. W. H., & Feldman, D. C. (2012). Evaluating six common stereotypes about older workers with meta-analytical data. Personnel Psychology, 65(4), 821–858. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.2012.01254.x
• Palmore, E. (2001). Ageism: Negative and positive. Springer Publishing Company.
• Posthuma, R. A., & Campion, M. A. (2013). Age stereotypes in the workplace: Common stereotypes, moderators, and future research directions. Journal of Management, 39(1), 97–129. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206312452684
• United Nations. (2019). World population prospects 2019: Highlights. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2019_Highlights.pdf
• Ian MacKenzie, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons