Examined the relationship between responses to cartoons and attitudes toward aging among college students. Analysis revealed four categories of cartoons on aging: disparagement, ineffectuality, obsolescence, and isolation. No significant relationships were found between attitudes and humor appreciation, although age and education were inversely…

Constructing the agenda for research on grey power requires recognizing the diversity of older people and the context through which concepts of old age are developed. Studies of political power should be longitudinal and cross-sectional. Studies of age advocacy should be linked with those of other advocacy groups. (SK)

The author reviews the passage of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 and interpretations and policies that have been derived from this act. Problems that have arisen from the application of the act are discussed. (CH)

The Retirement Research Foundation of Chicago supported a collaborative to collect demographic data about working and aging, conduct a survey of older job seekers, and interview businesses in the region to assess their awareness and attitudes about mature workers. The 2005 project was titled the 60 + Success Project. A regional task force oversaw…

This document presents the text of a hearing on the relationship of ability to age, in reference to removing age caps so that age will be irrelevent to getting and keeping a job. Statements by Representatives Ron Wyden, Claude Pepper, Ralph Regula, Bill Schuette, Jim Lightfoot, Ike Skelton, George Wortley, and Don Bonker are included. Testimony by…

Surveyed 54 young, 54 middle-aged, and 54 older adults on connotative meanings of 10 common nouns referring to older persons. Results were similar across age groups. Mature American, Senior Citizen, and Retired Person were rated generally positively while Aged, Elderly, and nouns using "old" were rated more negatively. (Author/NB)

A contextual age construct was developed and examined as transactional, life-position index of aging. The findings reflect the weak validity of chronological age as a unidimensional indicator of life-position and well-being. (Author/BL)

Briefly reviews the gerontological literature on attitudes toward the elderly. Criticizing word association measurement techniques, this article identifies alternative methods for assessing attitudes toward the elderly and considers the pedagogical effects of these methods. (JDH)

This article draws attention to the importance of the part that ought to be played in society by older individuals. In western countries the importance to society of its older members and the nature of their role has indeed become blurred over the last hundred years. (UNESCO, Place de Fontenoy, 75700 Paris) (SSH)

Before and 1 month after age awareness workshops, 200 British participants took the Palmore Aging Quiz and Fraboni Scale of Ageism. Palmore scores significantly improved but Fraboni scores were unchanged. Results suggest that increased awareness improves factual knowledge but does not change attitudes toward aging and older people. (Contains 18…

Aging and ageism are diversity issues and should be addressed in diversity training. A balanced understanding of aging can be developed using appropriate techniques at all levels of education. Instructors should vary teaching approaches to accommodate older adult students. (SK)

The sonata form (A-B-A) was used as a model in a lifespan development class to examine experiences and opinions about aging. Ageism was analyzed to illustrate the process of stereotyping and to modify attitudes about aging. (SK)

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act has been amended to outlaw mandatory retirement at any age. However, the act permits employers to impose a specific retirement age if there is a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) which cannot be met by all or most individuals. Imposition of BFOQ mandatory retirement ages by employers has led to…

This document presents witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine the removal of the mandatory retirement age by taking the cap off of employees in the private sector through the passage of H.R. 4154. Opening statements are included from Congressmen Pepper and Martinez. Arthur Flemming, the…

Arguing that the stereotypes of aging and the aged in books and other media are generally negative, this article provides an overview of media study findings and comments extensively on the image of the elderly in several contemporary realistic young adult novels. Eleven references and additional novel titles are provided. (EJS)