Age-stereotype Paradox: Opportunity for Social Change
Abstract
An age-stereotype paradox has developed in the United States due to factors that would suggest age stereotypes should be increasing in positivity over time; whereas, recent evidence shows they are becoming more negative. Reasons for predicting an increase in positivity are presented, followed by reasons that help to explain why the reverse is occurring. To illustrate the age-stereotype paradox, four domains that help to shape the status of older individuals were selected: health, intergenerational contact, legislation, and social climate. Two proposals are then made for eliminating the paradox by reversing the age-stereotypes negativity trend: establishment of an anti-aging czar and the launching of an aging-rights movement.
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This may dilute the dominant narrative of older adults as being out-of-sync with new technologies or unable to contribute and, therefore, strengthen the integration of older adults into design processes as valuable resources.
“This may dilute the dominant narrative of older adults as being out-of-sync with new technologies or unable to contribute and, therefore, strengthen the integration of older adults into design processes as valuable resources”
From Personal Narratives in Technology Design: The Value of Sharing Older Adults’ Stories in the Design of Social Robots (2021) · cites this paper as Levy, 2017
Our analysis suggests that combining storytelling and co-design when working with older adults can champion a shift to a more positive narrative of aging that demonstrates wisdom and other values of lived experiences.
“Our analysis suggests that combining storytelling and co-design when working with older adults can champion a shift to a more positive narrative of aging that demonstrates wisdom and other values of lived experiences”
From Personal Narratives in Technology Design: The Value of Sharing Older Adults’ Stories in the Design of Social Robots (2021) · cites this paper as Levy, 2017
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“In view of this, it becomes necessary that coping strategies are permanent and continuous, and that they are implemented top-down (from society to the individual) and bottom-up (from the individual to society, considering the role of aged people), with the joint objectives of reinforcing conditions that promote positi…”
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“As many individuals hold negative views of aging (Levy, 2017) and awareness of age-related change is amenable to change (Brothers & Diehl, 2017), identifying predictors of self-perception of aging, such as perceived sleep difficulties, may suggest ways of promoting more positive experiences of…”
BackgroundBrief Anti-Ageism Messaging Effects on Physical Activity Motivation Among Older Adults
Menkin, J. A., Smith, J. L., & Bihary, J. G. (2020) · Journal of Applied Gerontology · doi:10.1177/0733464820960925 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“In fact, enough evidence links views of aging to health and quality of life that intervention is recommended (e.g., Levy, 2017; Nelson, 2016).”
BackgroundStereotypes about very old people and perceived societal appreciation in very old age
Reissmann, M., Geithner, L., Storms, A., & Woopen, C. (2021) · Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie · doi:10.1007/s00391-021-01971-y · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Intergenerational contact, aging anxiety and behavioral intentions toward older adults
Wise, R., & Uzel, A. (2021) · Educational Gerontology · doi:10.1080/03601277.2021.2002599 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Several trends in the literature suggest that intergenerational contact interacts with larger social and cultural factors that influence individuals’ perspectives on their own aging (Jarrott & Savla, 2015; B. R. Levy, 2017).”
BackgroundHemşirelik Öğrencilerinin Yaşlı Ayrımcılığına Yönelik Tutumları
Tayaz, E., & Koç, A. (2022) · Ege Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Fakültesi Dergisi · doi:10.53490/egehemsire.950970 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Sabatini, S., Ukoumunne, O. C., Martyr, A., Ballard, C. G., Lamont, R. A., Collins, R., Pentecost, C., Hunt, A., Quinn, C., Thom, J. M., et al. (2021) · Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics · doi:10.1016/j.archger.2020.104328 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
The cross-sectional relationship between pain and awareness of age-related changes
Sabatini, S., Ukoumunne, O. C., Ballard, C. G., Collins, R., Corbett, A., Brooker, H. J., & Clare, L. (2020) · British Journal of Pain · doi:10.1177/2049463720961798 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Sabatini, S., Ukoumunne, O. C., Ballard, C. G., Collins, R., Kim, S., Corbett, A., Aarsland, D., Hampshire, A., Brooker, H. J., & Clare, L. (2021) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2021.1960989 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“…sum, our results highlight one more time how much our society -and men, in particular - need to learn to think differently about ageing women and how strategies aiming to eradicate negative age-related stereotypes (Levy, 2017) should give particular attention to negative stereotypes of older women.”
ResultExploring awareness of age-related changes among over 50s in the UK: findings from the PROTECT study
Sabatini, S., Ukoumunne, O. C., Ballard, C. G., Collins, R., Corbett, A., Brooker, H. J., & Clare, L. (2021) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s104161022100123x · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Preparing the Younger Generation for an Aging Society: Strategies, Challenges, and Opportunities
Tohit, N. F. M., & Haque, M. (2024) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.64121 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Digital ageism in data societies
Rosales, A., Svensson, J., & Fernández-Ardèvol, M. (2023) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781003323686-1 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Sabatini, S., Wahl, H., Diehl, M. K., Clare, L., Ballard, C. G., Brooker, H. J., Corbett, A., Hampshire, A., & Stephan, B. C. M. (2023) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbad150 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Given the effect that negative AARC-losses had on mental health and functional status in a short period of 1 year and given that negative perceptions of aging pervade western societies, reducing negative perceptions of aging may be a useful means to promote healthy aging (Levy, 2017).”
BackgroundGilleard, C. (2020) · Ageing & Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x20001579 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Paradoxically, concern over the social exclusion and cultural marginalisation of older people in contemporary society seems to have grown (Levy, 2017).”
BackgroundInfluentialImplicit and explicit age cues influence the evaluation of job applications
Kleissner, V., & Jahn, G. (2020) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/jasp.12720 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Yuan, T., Liang, L., Zheng, C., Li, H., Zhang, J., Kiyum, M., Xu, J., Wang, M., & Mei, S. (2024) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12585 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Disrupt Aging: A Call to Action for Gerontologists
Jenkins, J. A. (2017) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnx079 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Erber, J. T. (2019) · doi:10.1002/9781394259021.ch8 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Partridge, E. E. (2022) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-824308-4.00012-0 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Crime and fear in public places
Nalla, M. K., & Ceccato, V. A. (2020) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780429352775-29 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Is generativity Erikson’s answer to human ageing in the neoliberal world?
Roy, M., & Panda, M. (2022) · Journal of Aging Studies · doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2022.101057 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Idealization of youthfulness predicts worse recovery among older individuals.
Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., & Lampert, R. J. (2019) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/pag0000330 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Levy, B. R. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-22009-9_604 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Frey, K., & Bisconti, T. L. (2023) · Journal of Applied Gerontology · doi:10.1177/07334648231154044 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Cross-Generational Understandings of Ageism and Its Perceived Impacts on Personal-Public Health
Mayo, D. M., Meuser, T. M., Robnett, R. H., Webster, M., & Woolard, C. E. (2021) · Journal of Gerontological Social Work · doi:10.1080/01634372.2021.2019865 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“…that include WHO’s (2016) call for action, legislation to promote greater inclusivity of older adults in the workplace, and environmental adaptations to accommodate physical and biological challenges for the aging population (Levy, 2017), the question remains, have ageist attitudes been moderated?”
BackgroundGaymard, S., Chauveau, L., & Cohen, G. (2022) · Journal of Women & Aging · doi:10.1080/08952841.2022.2044704 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Stereotypes are internalized throughout an individual’s life, especially those related to age (Levy, 2017).”
BackgroundSabatini, S., Cosentino, S., Chapman, S., Ballard, C. G., Brooker, H. J., Corbett, A., & Stephan, B. C. M. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1270798 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Australian attitudes to intergenerational equity: impacts of social and policy change
Kendig, H. L., Hussain, R., O’Loughlin, K., & Cannon, L. (2018) · Ageing and Society · doi:10.1017/s0144686x18000703 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Levy (2017) conceptualises an age stereotype paradox and the need for a range of social actions that promote positive age stereotypes in line with the increasing capacities of ascendant cohorts of older people.”
BackgroundD’hondt, S., Aujoulat, I., & Degryse, J. (2023) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnad136 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Schmidt, N. E., Carpenter, B. D., & Steffen, A. M. (2024) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnae085 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Xu, L., Lin, T., Su, S., Wang, Z., Dong, S., Yang, S., Wang, Z., Yuan, Y., Xie, L., Yu, L., et al. (2025) · Nursing and Health Sciences · doi:10.1111/nhs.70078 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Kanakaris, V., & Korres, M. P. (2020) · Advances in educational technologies and instructional design book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-4972-8.ch007 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Sun, Y. Y., & Li, T. (2024) · Current Research in Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.crbeha.2024.100166 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Steeman, L.-L., Coninck, D. D., & d’Haenens, L. (2025) · Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy · doi:10.1111/asap.70047 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Westerhof, G. J. (2022) · International perspectives on aging · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-11073-3_18 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Ageism, Sexism and Appearance: Navigating Workplace Discrimination in Later Life
Hurd, L. (2023) · Emerald Group Publishing Limited eBooks · doi:10.1108/978-1-80071-174-720230006 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Ko, H.-J., MaloneBeach, E. E., & Miller, A. H. (2019) · Gerontology & Geriatrics Education · doi:10.1080/02701960.2019.1631164 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…on aging; domainspecific; non-students Since Butler (1969) coined the word, Ageism, the systematic discrimination against older people based on age, numerous researchers have investigated the prevalence, antecedents, and outcomes of ageism (Hummert, 2011; Kornadt & Rothermund, 2012; Levy, 2017).”
BackgroundSun, Q., Cheung, J., Wan, N.-T. A., Pauline, W. S.-Y., & Lou, V. (2021) · Research on social work practice · doi:10.1177/10497315211063626 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“For the program design, this study tried to enrich the existing studies by adopting the well-articulated theoretical framework of Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences (PEACE) (Levy, 2017).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialWallace, S. P., & Estes, C. L. (2019) · doi:10.1093/oso/9780190914653.003.0006 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Longitudinal Effects of Sex, Aging, and Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis on Function
Harrison, T. C., Blozis, S. A., Stuifbergen, A. M., & Becker, H. (2023) · Nursing Research · doi:10.1097/nnr.0000000000000656 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“The finding that age predicted a greater degree of between-person variation could be due to increased susceptibility to non-disease-related perceptions of age (Levy, 2017) that ultimately change function quickly and reversibly (e.g., falls) as well as comorbidity (Chou et al., 2020).”
BackgroundThe impact of wearing a white coat on the perception of older people
Crutzen, C., Adam, S., & Willems, S. J. (2023) · Journal of Nursing Education and Practice · doi:10.5430/jnep.v13n12p36 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Levy, B. R. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_604-1 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Gerontology and geriatrics: Care and context. Towards Integration
Musselwhite, C. (2025) · Cogent Gerontology · doi:10.1080/28324897.2025.2479446 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Ageism: The Need for New Imagery for Growing Old
Paoletti, I. (2024) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-97-5041-2_2 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Challenges and opportunities of psychological aging research
Ghisletta, P. (2025) · European Journal of Ageing · doi:10.1007/s10433-025-00891-9 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Despite much research showing that old age can also be characterized by positive views, very often the general public’s perception of that phase of the lifespan remains quite negative (Levy 2017).”
When and how is age mentioned? The role of age references in narratives of adults aged 65 and over
Gocieková, V., Ševčíková, A., Gore-Gorszewska, G., Rašticová, M., & South, A. L. (2025) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnaf276 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Mertens, E. J., Broekharst, D. S. E., Hanzen, N., de Rooij, K., van Agthoven, M., & Bloem, S. (2026) · Frontiers in Aging · doi:10.3389/fragi.2026.1850676 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“The use of age-based decision-making has led to the systematic exclusion of older adults from treatments such as surgery, a practice widely criticized as a form of ageism (Butler, 1969; Chang et al., 2020; Levy, 2017; Romero-Ortuno and O’Shea, 2013).”
Active Ageing and Age-Friendly Communities: Constructing an Image of Old Age and Ageing
Fernández‐Mayoralas, G., Rodríguez, V. R., González, D. S., & Rojo‐Pérez, F. (2022) · Future city · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-93875-8_5 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Throwback, trials, and triumphs: stories of unmarried retired Filipina Public School teachers
Bolo, M. N., & Singson, D. N. E. (2023) · Technium Social Sciences Journal · doi:10.47577/tssj.v44i1.8959 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Sabatini, S., Ukoumunne, O. C., Brothers, A. F., Diehl, M. K., Wahl, H., Ballard, C. G., Collins, R., Corbett, A., Brooker, H. J., & Clare, L. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-779250/v1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
‘The Open Typology’: Towards Socially Sustainable Architectural and Care Types
Landi, D., & Everett, G. (2019) · Architecture_MPS · doi:10.14324/111.444.amps.2019v16i1.001
Intergenerational Relationship Perception And Intergenerational Contact Frequency
Ptashko, T. (2021) · The European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences · doi:10.15405/epsbs.2021.02.02.99
“, 2018) аnd depend on intergenerational contacts, legislation and social climate (Levy, 2017).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialOlder Persons' Rights MovementPreprint
Gutterman, A. S. (2021) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.3901437
Kanakaris, V., & Korres, M. P. (2022) · IGI Global eBooks · doi:10.4018/978-1-6684-5295-0.ch027
Scheidt, R. J. (2018) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gny012
O processo de envelhecimento nos filmes
Giuliani, F. N. G., Sampaio, L. V. P., Carvalho, G. D. A., Silva, K. H. C. V. E., & de Oliveira, M. L. C. (2022) · Revista Kairós Gerontologia · doi:10.23925/2176-901x.2021v24i1p585-598
Social Construction of Vulnerable Populations: The Case of Age in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Schachter, H. L. (2022) · Public Administration Quarterly · doi:10.37808/paq.46.2.5
“Computerized searches of hundreds of millions of digitized books, articles, magazines, journal articles and newspapers published in America between 1810 and 2009 have found increasing negative portrayals of old people in the last 80 years (Levy 2017).”
BackgroundCampus Goiabeiras: Resumos expandidos
Autores, V. (2021) · Revista Guará · doi:10.30712/guara.v1i12-a.40757
Leitvorstellungen vom hohen Alter im Realitätscheck: Verlust versus Gewinn oder beides?
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Ageísmo direcionado às pessoas idosas em serviços de saúde: uma revisão de escopo
de Araújo, P. O., Soares, I. M. S. C., do Vale, P. R. L. F., de Sousa, A. R., Aparício, E. C., & Carvalho, E. S. D. S. (2023) · Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem · doi:10.1590/1518-8345.6727.4021
O idadismo estrutural refletindo no período pandêmico e na saúde da pessoa idosa
Marconi, I. M. M., & Dedicação, A. C. (2023) · Oikos Família e Sociedade em Debate · doi:10.31423/oikos.v34i2.15290
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Coladonato, R., Carnaghi, A., Bianchi, M., Ciosk, M. A., Piccoli, V., & Fantoni, C. (2024) · Journal of Homosexuality · doi:10.1080/00918369.2024.2334777
“Also, and at the cultural level, age stereotypes are negatively tinted over time (Levy, 2017).”
A antecipação da velhice na meia-idade: uma perspetiva de género
Janssens-Theunis, A., & José, J. D. S. (2024) · Sociologia Problemas e Práticas · doi:10.7458/spp202410532059
Public mental health, policy, and aging
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Age as a privilege for transgender people: a life trajectory approach
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“…to Age Stereotype Embodiment Theory (SET), positive and negative age stereotypes are internalized across the lifespan and take a toll on individuals ’ health in later life as they become incorporated into the self-concept through self-perceptions of aging (Levy, 2009, 2017; Levy et al., 2018).”
Gans, H. M., Horhota, M., & Chasteen, A. L. (2026) · Journal of Intergenerational Relationships · doi:10.1080/15350770.2026.2667480
Sabatini, S., Pagnini, F., Pederiva, A. M., Henderson, E., Cheval, B., Borella, E., de la Fuente-Núñez, V., Gerstorf, D., Mezza, F., Neupert, S. D., et al. (2026) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-026-07603-7
“Consequently, finding strategies to reduce ageism and to promote accurate knowledge about aging and positive self-perceptions of aging is a global priority [44].”
Larsson, E., Elmståhl, S., & Ekström, H. (2026) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph23050641
“This was of interest given studies indicating that stereotypes of older adults have become more negative in recent years [49].”
The wisdom-frailty paradox: Mapping age stereotypes in contemporary Iranian media
Moazamigoudarzi, M., Wibisono, A. H., Yaghoobzadeh, A., & Poorcheraghi, H. (2026) · Educational Gerontology · doi:10.1080/03601277.2026.2684779
Gülçin, K. U. R. T., Atasoy, E., & GÜLNAZ, H. (2026) · Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi · doi:10.21560/spcd.vi.1729211
Overman, M. J., Hopkins, L., & Evans, K. (2026) · European Journal of Ageing · doi:10.1007/s10433-026-00932-x
“This rise in population ageing has been paralleled by improved life expectancy and health, greater intergenerational contact, and legislation aiming to enhance older adults’ social environments (Levy 2017; Diehl et al. 2021).”
Okolie, T. J., Ekoh, P. C., Nnadi, F. B., Nwabineli, I. H., Odo, O. C., Nwatu, U. L., Udeh, K., Chidebe, R. C. W., Onwubiko, S. V., Nyarko, L., et al. (2026) · International Journal of Sexual Health · doi:10.1080/19317611.2026.2699862
- Authors
- Levy, B. R.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Levy, Becca R.
- ORCID
- Levy, Becca R.
- Venue
- The Gerontologist
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2017-06-19
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- suppl_2
- Pages
- S118-S126
- ISSN
- 0016-9013 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-5341
- OpenAlex
- W2738866580
- Cited by
- 102
- References
- 74
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3
- FWCI
- 16.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Gerontologist (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Demography › Retirement, Disability, and Employment
- Keywords
- age stereotypes, older adults, social status of older people, intergenerational interaction, social climate, elderly health, social change
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