COURI Symposium Posters

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  The Epidemic of Ageism... The Rise of Ageist Rhetoric in POTUS

  Annica Henry

  This paper explores the issue of ageism in the context of presidential politics in the United States. Defined as dismissive attitudes or actions toward individuals based on age, ageism affects younger and older individuals. Analyzing historical trends and societal expectations highlights how age norms for the executive branch are dictated by public perception and media narratives, which can often affect electoral outcomes. The study conducted in this paper examines societal norms and stereotypes that contribute to ageist perceptions and how this manifests in evaluations of presidential candidates. This paper discusses key research findings on the prevalence of ageism, including a survey conducted by Ermand B. Palmore, revealing its widespread nature and underreporting. Understanding why ageism goes relatively untouched in America aids the discussion of historical ageism because the acts of discrimination in the presidency range from micro-aggressive nicknames to flat-out age discrimination. A historical review of U.S. presidents illustrates the varying reception of candidates based on their age, from George Washington’s health criticisms to Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s untimely exit from the campaign trail. This analysis leads to answering the main question of this research: Is there an epidemic of ageism in the presidency? Ultimately, this paper shows that there is a rise in ageist sentiments in the presidency on both ends of the age spectrum and suggests a need for the American public to acknowledge their biases.