TITLE:
Ageism in Politics: Can an “Older Adult” Be the President of the USA?
AUTHORS:
Freddy A. Paniagua
KEYWORDS:
Ageism, Ageist Messages, Discrimination, Chronic Physical and Mental Conditions, Politics, Stereotypes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Political Science,
Vol.13 No.3,
July
12,
2023
ABSTRACT: In the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, it
is possible that an individual from the older adult population (e.g., Mr. Biden
or Mr. Trump) may be elected the president of this country. This possibility
has prompted some political opponents and members of the media to insert in the
mind of potential voters that they should be very careful electing a president
who is “too old” to serve in this very complex role, thus reinforcing the
negative impact of ageism in this context. The central argument is that the
“ageism” factor in the current U.S. political scenario appears to be an attack
on someone wishing to be the president of this country, but that the same
factor appears to be irrelevant in the case of individuals currently serving or
wanting to serve in the U.S. Senate or in the House of Representatives. This
argument is supported with a sample of congress men and women ranging in age
from 77 to 90 years and currently serving in the 118th U.S. Congress.