Chapter 13 Projects

Project Assignment

Purpose

As we age, our place in society changes, as well as how others view us. Some of the perceptions are positive, while others can be negative and damaging. The purpose of this project is to allow you to further explore ageism, or discrimination based on age, and ageist attitudes and biases in contemporary American society.

Directions

Create a collage by collecting and arranging at least seven images, articles, and/or advertisements that relate to age and the elderly.

Once you have completed your collage, gather in groups of four and five, and allow each group member to explain their collage and how the images, articles, and advertisements convey ageism in society. Additionally, make sure to address the following:

• How easy or difficult was it to find sources about the elderly? How does this convey ageism bias?

• What kind of stereotypes do you see portrayed in the images, articles, and advertisements you collected?

• How do you think these portrayals of ageism affect how the elderly are thought of and treated in society?

Materials

Print and/or online sources (that can be printed) that convey age and ageism; physical materials or software for making a collage

Checklist

Writing Assignment

Purpose

Different societies and cultures view aging differently. The purpose of this writing assignment is to evaluate your own attitudes towards aging and how they align, or don't, with the society in which you live.

Directions

For this short, in-class writing assignment, spend fifteen minutes thinking about and answering the following questions:

• How do you think the elderly are viewed in your society?

• Do you look forward to aging and being elderly? Why or why not?

Think of this as a free-writing session. There are no right or wrong answers, and don't be too concerned about spelling and grammar. Just focus on getting your thoughts down on paper.

Materials

Pen and paper or a word processing software

Checklist