THE INFLUENCE OF AGEIST STEREOTYPES ON FORMATION OF SELF-LIMITING PRACTICES OF OLDER CITIZENS

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to examine the problem of ageism, which is defined as a complex of discriminatory practices and attitudes towards older citizens, associated with stereotyped ideas about the exclusively dysfunctional role of old age. The internalization of negative gerontostereotypes that exist in the public consciousness determines the self-restrictive practices of the older generation themselves, their self-image. The article presents the results of the analysis of scientific papers on the influence of gerontostereotypes on the practices of representatives of older age groups, followed by the formulation of research hypotheses. The population of sixty years old and older is considered as the older age group. As a result of the analysis, hypotheses are proposed for studying this problem, among which the thesis on the selective nature of the internalization of negative gerontostereotypes by older people, which is due to a number of factors, is substantiated. In particular, objective factors are associated with the presence or absence of conditions and opportunities that stimulate active longevity, the characteristics of their social circle and the specificity of interaction in it. Subjective factors are determined by the “secondary benefits” obtained from the performance of the “traditional” role of an elderly person, the influence of negative gerontostereotypes on self-esteem, the locus of control, the planning horizon, the attitude to old age formed at the “pre-aging” age.