Age discrimination can be just as damaging as, for example, race discrimination. We are all at risk of being disadvantaged and held back due to our age whether we are young, middle age or old.
Age is often used as a weapon to define a person’s capability and role in society. To be told ‘you’re too old’ is as disheartening as to be told ‘you’re too young’. This form of stereotyping not only prevents people of all ages from reaching their full potential but also denies, and undervalues, them as individuals.
Older people (aged 50+) are all too often marginalised, ignored or disadvantaged in our society simply because of their age.
They face overt discrimination in employment, in the health service and as consumers. The assumption is that older people are less capable in the modern world.
Many employers still mistakenly assume that older people will be unwilling or unable to retrain for new posts. Age discrimination limits staff performance and affects the quality of service.
Many older people living in London live in poverty, with poverty rates at 30% among pensioners in London being the highest in Great Britain. Pensioner poverty affects more women than men, not only because women form the majority of pensioners, but also because women pensioners are more likely to have lower incomes than men.
The elderly, especially those aged over 75 years, are under represented relative to the national context. Overall, the number of older people in Islington will reduce over the next five years but the number of those needing care due to frailness (which could be age related) is likely to rise.
Islington is currently developing its services to accommodate the needs of a growing older diverse community. The borough’s ‘Live Long and Prosper’ (quality of life) Strategy for people aged over 50 aim to enable people to plan for older age as well as making information and opportunities more accessible.
In October 2006, legislation will come into force outlawing age discrimination in employment and vocational training for all employees and those applying for work. The bill will also (in general) outlaw compulsory retirement under the age of 65.
Islington has a relatively young population with around 10% of its community over the age of 65. The latest 2001 Census reveals that the age structure of the population in Islington differ a great deal from the national average. Islington stands out from other boroughs due to having the second highest proportion nationally of those in the 30 to 44 years age range. The average age of the population is just under 35 years and the proportion of children of school age is among the lowest in the country. Children aged 0 – 19 consist of 23% of the population.
Children and young people are often perceived as one homogenous group and are regularly blamed for crime and social problems. This negative perception ignores the fact that children and young people are individuals from diverse backgrounds with different experiences, who have their own needs, views and aspirations. Similar to older people, assumptions are made regarding their abilities and motivations because of their age.
Children and young people can suffer the same concerns and discrimination as adults through direct experience or indirectly through a parent or carer. This can limit their potential and lead to isolation, harassment and bullying.
Some facts:
Young men are nationally one of the most vulnerable groups at risk of suicide.
The impact of terrorism has meant that children and young people from certain faith groups are experiencing discrimination.
African Caribbean boys are more likely to be excluded from schools than pupils from other communities and are over-represented in local authority care systems.
Overall young people from BME groups are more likely to be in full-time education than young white people, while white young people are more than four times likely to be in full-time jobs than those from BME groups.
Children in poor households are three times more likely to have mental ill health than others. One in four young people live in substandard housing.
The council’s ‘Listen Up’ project works with young people to find out what they think about where they live, work and study, and uses this information when making decisions on services. One of the priorities for Children’s Services is to improve the lives of the poorest communities to enhance the life chances for children throughout their development.
Islington schools have secured over £100m from the ‘Building Schools for the Future’ fund to continue its investment in education.
Equal Pay Act 1970
Sex Discrimination Act 1975
Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999
Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
Employment Equality (Religion / Belief) Regulations 2003
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
Disability Discrimination Act 2005
For further information on legislation, please click on The Law on the left.
Page Last Updated: 31 October 2008