Prejudice against old people (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: AGEISM (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Prejudice against old people" with 6 letters is "AGEISM".Ageism refers to prejudice or discrimination based on a person's age, particularly against older individuals. It manifests in negative stereotypes, bias, or unequal treatment towards elderly people, often resulting in their marginalization or exclusion from various social, economic, or professional opportunities.
Why "Ageism" Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning "prejudice against old people." The answer, AGEISM, fits perfectly:
- Prejudice against old people: Ageism is the recognized term for discrimination, stereotyping, or bias against individuals based on their age—especially towards the elderly—exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With six letters, ageism fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The term covers all forms of unfair treatment, social exclusion, and negative assumptions about people simply because they are older.
Ageism is an important sociological and ethical concept in modern discussion:
Origin and usage:
- Coined in 1969 by gerontologist Robert N. Butler to describe discrimination similar to racism or sexism, but specifically related to age.
- Ageism affects hiring, media representation, healthcare, and everyday interactions—leading to marginalization and reduced opportunities for older persons.
Examples and impact:
- “Ageism in the workplace may prevent older employees from receiving promotions.”
- “The movie challenged common forms of ageism by highlighting the talents of its elderly cast.”
- “Policies to combat ageism are promoted by organizations like the WHO and AARP.”
In quick crosswords like “Prejudice against old people (6),” clues for forms of discrimination use standard, modern ‘-ism’ suffixes:
Definition: “Prejudice against old people” is the dictionary definition of ageism.
Clue type: Direct, single-word synonym, relying on social science vocabulary.
Solving approach:
- Scan for six-letter terms describing prejudice or bias ending in “-ism”; ageism precisely matches both length and context.
Crossword pattern: Discriminatory “-ism” words (e.g., racism, sexism, ageism, ableism) often appear, testing awareness of contemporary language.
