Ashton Applewhite

From childhood on, we’re barraged by messages that it’s sad to be old. That wrinkles are embarrassing and old people are useless. In this provocative, funny, and deeply informed talk, Applewhite explains the roots of ageism—in society and in our own age denial—and how it divides and diminishes us. Applewhite sets out the personal and professional consequences (especially for women), shows how ageist myths and stereotypes cripple the way our brains and bodies function, critiques the portrayal of elders as burdens to society, describes what an all-age-friendly world would look like, and concludes with a rousing call to action. It’s time to work together to make discrimination on the basis of age as unacceptable as any other prejudice.

What makes aging different for women—and so much harder than it has to be? How does the double impact of ageism and sexism affect women’s health, income, and well-being? And how does competing to “stay young” dig the hole even deeper? In this rousing talk, Ashton Applewhite proposes throwing away the shovel, forging cross-generational compacts, and collaborating on new ways of thinking and behaving. The women’s movement taught us to claim our power; a pro-aging movement will teach us to hold onto it. 

In cultures with meaningful social and economic roles for older people, physical health is just one aspect of aging. But in our culture, sickness takes center stage. Aging is not a disease, but our society conflates the two, as it does with disability—although people with disabilities will assure you that they are not sick.

In this talk, Ashton Applewhite looks at who benefits when old age is reduced to illness, and the effects of a cultural climate that barrages the old (and disabled) with the message that their lives are not worthwhile, nor worth paying for. Why should a long future have value but not a long past? Why are the healthy and vigorous old missing from the policy agenda? Why should it be it acceptable to weigh the healthcare needs of the very young against those of the very old, when making the same case on the basis of race or sex would be unthinkable? A society obsessed with physical perfection and mental acuity vastly underestimates the quality of life of older people and those with disabilities—and its value. When we confront our own internalized prejudice and challenge underlying prejudices and misconceptions, we move towards a society of age equality: one that that sees age as asset and population aging as not just a challenge but a remarkable opportunity.