title: Stereotypes and attitudes toward older people among children transitioning from middle childhood into adolescence: Time matters.
abstract: Ageism is fueled by stereotypes and negative attitudes about aging and older adults, which can lead to individual-level prejudice and discrimination. Through survey methodology, this study explored stereotypes and ageist beliefs of youth transitioning from middle childhood into adolescence (age 11-13 years) (N = 69) in the southwest of England. The results indicate that positive more than negative stereotypes were acknowledged, and more positive stereotyping was positively correlated with more positive attitudes toward older adults. Contact with older adults and age that one considers "old" were significant in predicting attitudes toward older people. The results suggest that time matters, in terms of contact with an older adult and time to reach "old age" in shaping youths' attitudes and stereotypes. Intergenerational and educational programs that seek to address aging myths and increase contact between youth and older adults are discussed as ways to improve attitudes amongst youth transitioning from middle childhood into adolescence.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Social Work , College of Staten Island, City University of New York , Staten Island , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Barbra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teater
authors.affiliation: b Division of Social Work , Indiana University Northwest , Gary , Indiana , USA.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chonody
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D063506:Ageism / Q000523:psychology*; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D002666:Psychology, Child; D013240:Stereotyping
keywords: Ageism; aging; intergenerational contact; middle childhood; youth