Weg R B
J Am Optom Assoc. 1982 Jan;53(1):21-9.
The development of ageism in America is rich with the fears and beliefs of the ancients from prehistory, through biblical millennia into early European and American history. Myths and stereotypes of the invalid, sexless, senile, useless elder die slowly as the relatively well, competent, "graying," population becomes the reality. Studies provide the data that support the changing view of aging, not as disease, but another stage of life with its own challenges and satisfactions. Aging older persons can best be understood within a multidisciplinary perspective which examines the interaction with time of physical, social and psychological aspects of the total personal Societal barriers to continued participation of older Americans in the mainstream of life are beginning to weaken-there is reason for hope.
美国年龄歧视的发展充斥着从史前时代到圣经时代，再到早期欧美历史中古人的恐惧和观念。随着相对健康、有能力且“头发花白”的老年人群体成为现实，关于老年人体弱多病、没有性欲、衰老无用的神话和刻板印象才逐渐消失。研究提供的数据支持了对衰老观念的转变，即衰老并非疾病，而是人生的另一个阶段，有着自身的挑战与满足。从多学科视角出发，能更好地理解老年人，该视角审视了个人整体的身体、社会和心理层面与时间的相互作用。美国老年人继续融入生活主流所面临的社会障碍正开始削弱——因此有理由抱有希望。
