Gerontophobia: the phobia that some young people develop towards older people

From psychology, the term gerontophobia refers to the fear or aversion to older people, as well as discrimination and mistreatment towards them.

We live in a society so devoted to the cult of youth that It is increasingly common to read or hear phrases such as “the elderly are a nuisance”, “they don’t know anything” or, even worse, “they are no longer useful for anything”. These phrases that they all have in common, rejection or mockery of the elderly or senior citizens and are common among those who suffer from gerontophobia. What is this phobia due to? Why does it happen and how to prevent young people from developing it?

Gerontophobia: definition and differences with gerascophobia

Gerontophobia and gerascophobia are sometimes used synonymously, but some differences between them need to be clarified.

Gerontophobia refers to fear or dislike of older people in general, while gerascophobia focuses specifically on the fear of aging and the changes associated with the aging process.Gerontophobia may be more common in younger people, while gerascophobia is more common in middle age, when the first symptoms of loss of youth begin to appear. Gerontophobia may be the result of lack of contact or positive experiences with older people, while gerascophobia can be the result of anxiety about the physical and psychological changes associated with old age.

As a summary, gerascophobia refers to how we think about our own old age, while gerontophobia focuses on the old age of others.

Characteristics of gerontophobia

Gerontophobia refers to the point of view of younger people on older people. People who suffer from it perceive the elderly as burdens on society, dependent people who cannot contribute anything. They have a biased opinion about what it means to get old, focusing only on the negative aspects, without valuing anything positive.

These people associate old age with loss of abilities (youth, beauty, independence, memory, lucidity) without valuing the positive aspects that an older person can have (wisdom, reflection, experience, introspection, patience).

At the bottom of this contempt, on a psychological level, can be found a rejection of the passage of time and the vision of oneself as old. At this point, gerontophobia can be understood as a projection outward and into the future of gerascophobia.

how to help young people overcome gerontophobia

Like any other hatred towards a minority or towards those who are different, the cure is through information and an open mind. Let’s see 4 key aspects that have to be worked on:

1. Promote education and awareness about aging

It is important that, from an early age, education about the aging process and the different stages of life be promoted. Children and young people must have a global vision of the elderly that does not focus solely on the negative aspects, but also highlights everything they can contribute to society.

2. Promote interaction and mutual knowledge

A fundamental aspect to fight against gerontophobia is to promote spaces where young and old can share activities and experiences. In this way, generational distances will be shortened and each one will be able to appreciate and learn from the other.

3. Make them value wisdom and experience

Due to all the years and experiences lived, older people can provide calmer and more lucid points of view on situations or conflicts. As long as the elders are balanced people and have used their life experiences to learn and evolve, their advice can be very valuable to the community.

4. Give value to culture and traditions

On many occasions, grandparents are the memory of stories, stories, traditions and,

even ancient languages ​​or dialects that may be lost with them when they pass away. In

instead of rejecting them, we must care for and preserve this cultural heritage as heritage

of humanity.