In his book "Outliers," Malcolm Gladwell famously posits that it takes around 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in a field. But what if, instead of honing a particular skill or talent, we were to invest that time in something much simpler yet equally important: understanding and valuing older adults and combatting ageism at an early age?

We learn bias at a young age

Bias can be learned at a young age. Children are constantly absorbing information from the world around them, and they can learn biases from their family, friends, community, and the media. For example, a child who grows up in a community where certain groups are consistently portrayed in a negative light may learn biases against those groups, including older adults. Additionally, children may learn biases through exposure to media that reinforces stereotypes or through interactions with peers and authority figures who hold biases.

Research has shown that children as young as 3 years old can already demonstrate implicit biases, which are unconscious attitudes and beliefs that influence perceptions and actions. They start to form stereotypes and categorize people and things around them, this process of categorization can lead to the formation of biases.

Positive bias can grow and negative can metastasize as children mature into adulthood through cognitive processes like confirmation bias, where individuals tend to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms their existing beliefs and attitudes. Additionally, people may have a natural tendency to group things together, and as a result, they may form stereotypes and biases based on these groupings. This means that if the foundational beliefs are negative, they may positive throughout life, and vice versa.

Bias also can be learned through classical conditioning, where a person learns to associate certain attitudes or behaviors with certain groups of people through repeated exposure.

Break bias early

Children should learn about the potential of older adults at an early age, because these elders may have a wealth of life experience and knowledge that can be passed on to future generations. Older adults often play important roles at home, at work, an in the community too. Learning about their contributions can help children develop a sense of respect and appreciation for them. Understanding and respecting the oldest adults, especially those with acquired disability, can also help children develop empathy, patience and other positive social skills.

Reading aloud to children is one way to address ageism and build empathy early. Consider the the book, "The Old Woman Who Named Things" by Cynthia Rylant and Katherine Brown, a picture book that tells the story of an old woman who lives alone and the stray dog she takes in and names. It is a gentle story about loneliness, companionship and the importance of human connections. This books and others like them help children understand the importance of empathy and kindness towards older adults, and to appreciate the richness of their life experiences.

A lifelong commitment

Recent studies have shown that reading alone is not enough, and intergenerational programs should be leveraged throughout youth to help prevent prejudice and promote social cohesion. These programs can increase empathy and understanding between different age groups, improve communication and relationships, and increase positive attitudes and behaviors towards different age groups. The benefits of intergenerational programs go beyond just reducing prejudice and promoting social cohesion.

Addressing ageism at a young age through reading and intergenerational programs can be an important step in preventing it from becoming ingrained and persistent. Children are in a formative stage of their development, and the attitudes and beliefs they learn can have a significant impact on how they see and interact with older adults later in life. If children learn to view older adults as a homogeneous group of people who are less valuable, less capable, and less worthy of respect, they may carry those biases into adulthood, which can negatively impact social cohesion and economic promise.

It is important to note that ageism, like other negative biases, is a complex and multifaceted issue, and addressing it requires a multifaceted approach. Even if ageism is not addressed at a young age, it is still possible to challenge and change biases later in life. Education, exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences, and active efforts to challenge and change biases can help mitigate the impact of ageism at any stage of life.

It's also worth noting that while addressing ageism through reading and intergenerational programs at a young age is important, it's not the only solution. Media representation and policies that promote age diversity and inclusion can also help combat ageism and promote a more equitable society for older adults.

Additional books for children

• "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes - This classic children's book tells the story of a young girl named Wanda Petronski who is bullied by her classmates for her poor clothing and accent. The story teaches children about empathy, kindness and understanding towards people who are different from them.
• "The Secret Keepers" by Trenton Lee Stewart - This middle-grade novel features an older man who befriends a young boy and teaches him about the importance of family, loyalty and trust.
• "Grandpa Green" by Lane Smith - This is a picture book that tells the story of a young boy who learns about his great-grandfather's life through the topiary garden he created. It's a heartwarming story that explores the importance of preserving memories and the contributions older adults make to future generations through their life stories and experiences.
• "Grandfather's Journey" by Allen Say - This is a picture book that tells the story of a Japanese-American grandfather and his deep longing for his ancestral home, through his life and journey. It is a beautifully illustrated story that explores the complexities of identity, heritage, and the importance of understanding and valuing different cultural perspectives.
• "When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree" by Jamie L.B. Deenihan - This is a picture book that tells the story of a young girl who receives a lemon tree from her grandmother, and through her care and love for the tree, learns about her grandmother's life and her connection to her heritage. The book explores themes of family, tradition, and the importance of understanding and valuing older adults' past experiences and cultural heritage. It also shows how something as simple as a plant can be a powerful link between generations.

For more information about our aging society, please visit The Super Age or pick-up a copy of The Super Age: Decoding our Demographic Destiny today.