Fighting back against ageism

CBS Sunday Morning
13 Nov 202207:44
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe transcript discusses ageism and its impact on society, particularly in the workplace, as exemplified by the experiences of Teresa Harrison, a 64-year-old entrepreneur whose tech company handles cybersecurity for the Department of Defense. Despite facing everyday ageism, such as being questioned about her longevity in the workforce, Harrison thrives, attributing her success to increased creativity and curiosity with age. The transcript also highlights Ashton Applewhite's mission to raise awareness of ageism and its detrimental effects on health, including its association with premature mortality. It challenges common misconceptions about aging and showcases that successful entrepreneurs are often not young, but rather in their 40s and beyond.

Takeaways
  • 🎉 President Biden is turning 80, sparking discussions about age and its impact on capabilities and perceptions.
  • 🧐 Teresa Harrison, a 64-year-old entrepreneur, defies stereotypes by founding a successful cybersecurity company for the Department of Defense in her 50s.
  • 🤔 Ageism is prevalent in society, with 93% of older adults experiencing everyday ageism, which includes minor comments and assumptions about aging being undesirable.
  • 👵 Everyday ageism can manifest in social interactions, media, and even in the way older adults are expected to use technology.
  • 📚 Julie Ober Allen's research highlights the widespread nature of everyday ageism and its negative effects on older adults' mental and physical health.
  • 🌟 Ashton Applewhite's advocacy work aims to raise awareness of ageism and promote a positive view of aging, similar to the impact of the women's movement.
  • 💡 Positive attitudes towards aging can have health benefits, with studies showing that optimistic views on aging can lead to a longer life.
  • 🚀 Contrary to common beliefs, successful entrepreneurs are often not young; the average age is in the 40s, with many notable examples like Vera Wang and Sam Walton.
  • 🌟 Teresa Harrison's story exemplifies that age should not be a barrier to success and can actually be a source of innovation and creativity.
  • 🤷‍♀️ Society often overlooks the contributions and potential of older individuals, focusing instead on stereotypes and limitations.
  • 📈 The success of older entrepreneurs and the impact of ageism on health outcomes underscore the need to challenge and change societal attitudes towards aging.
Q & A

  • How old is President Biden turning next weekend?

    -President Biden is turning 80 years old next weekend.

  • What is the stereotype of a successful tech entrepreneur?

    -The stereotype of a successful tech entrepreneur is a young, innovative individual, often portrayed as a 19-year-old with groundbreaking ideas.

  • Who is Teresa Harrison and what does she do?

    -Teresa Harrison is a 64-year-old entrepreneur who founded a Baltimore-based technology company that handles cybersecurity for the Department of Defense.

  • At what age did Teresa Harrison start her company, George Street Services?

    -Teresa Harrison started her company, George Street Services, in her 50s.

  • What is everyday ageism?

    -Everyday ageism refers to minor comments, interactions, and exposures that suggest aging is undesirable. It includes assumptions that older adults can't use technology or jokes about aging made in birthday cards.

  • What percentage of U.S. older adults experience everyday ageism?

    -Over 93 percent of U.S. older adults between the ages of 50 and 80 experience everyday ageism interactions and experiences frequently.

  • What is Ashton Applewhite's mission?

    -Ashton Applewhite's mission is to raise awareness of ageism, what it looks like, and what can be done to dismantle it, similar to the impact of the women's movement.

  • How does ageism affect health?

    -Ageism is bad for mental and physical health, acting as a source of chronic stress that can lead to a broad spectrum of chronic diseases and is associated with premature mortality.

  • What is the average age of successful entrepreneurs according to a study by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School?

    -The average age of successful entrepreneurs is 42, according to a study by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

  • What are some examples of ageism in our culture?

    -Examples of ageism include jokey birthday cards that make fun of aging, anti-aging products that suggest older adults' appearance isn't attractive, and comments like 'you look great for your age'.

  • How does Teresa Harrison respond to ageism in the tech industry?

    -Teresa Harrison responds to ageism by continuing to be successful in her field and proving that age does not determine one's ability to innovate and contribute to the tech industry.

Outlines
00:00
🎉 Ageism in Society and Entrepreneurial Success

This paragraph discusses the societal issue of ageism, particularly in the context of President Biden's upcoming 80th birthday. It highlights the everyday slights and wrongs associated with aging, as exemplified by Susan Spencer's experience as an older entrepreneur. Despite the stereotype of the young tech innovator, Spencer founded a successful cybersecurity company for the Department of Defense in her 50s. The paragraph addresses the pervasive nature of ageism, with a nationwide survey showing that over 93% of older adults experience daily ageism. Ashton Applewhite's mission to raise awareness about ageism and dismantle it is also mentioned, emphasizing the need to challenge societal norms and assumptions about aging.

05:03
💡 Combating Ageism and the Benefits of a Positive Mindset

The second paragraph delves into the harmful effects of ageism on both mental and physical health, suggesting that it can lead to chronic stress and premature mortality. It argues for the importance of increasing awareness about ageism and its negative consequences. The paragraph also presents evidence that positive attitudes towards aging can lead to longer life expectancy, with successful entrepreneurs often being older than common stereotypes suggest. The story of Teresa Harrison, who continues to thrive in her 60s, serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that age should not be a barrier to success or vitality.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ageism
Ageism refers to discrimination or prejudice against individuals based on their age. In the context of the video, it highlights the stereotypes and biases faced by older adults, particularly in the workplace and society at large. The video discusses how ageism manifests in everyday interactions and its negative impact on mental and physical health. For example, the founder of George Street Services, Teresa Harrison, shares her experience of being asked about her plans for retirement and how her age has been perceived as a potential obstacle in securing contracts.
💡Innovation
Innovation is the process of introducing new ideas, methods, or products. It is a key concept in the video as it challenges the stereotype that innovation is solely the domain of young individuals. Teresa Harrison, despite being in her 60s, demonstrates that age does not hinder one's ability to be innovative, as she has founded a successful technology company that handles cybersecurity for the Department of Defense.
💡Stereotype
A stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. In the video, stereotypes about aging are discussed, such as the assumption that older adults are less capable with technology or less innovative. The narrative counters these stereotypes by showcasing the achievements of individuals like Teresa Harrison, who defies expectations by founding a tech company in her 50s.
💡Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from digital attacks. It is a significant aspect of the video as it underscores the expertise and capabilities of older adults in high-tech fields. Teresa Harrison's company, George Street Services, specializes in cybersecurity for the Department of Defense, illustrating that advanced technical skills and knowledge can be maintained and developed at any age.
💡Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching, and running a new business, which typically involves risk-taking and innovation. The video challenges the common misconception that successful entrepreneurs are typically young by highlighting that the average successful entrepreneur is actually in their 40s. It uses examples such as Vera Wang, Sam Walton, and Bernie Marcus, who all started their successful businesses after the age of 40, to emphasize that age should not be a barrier to entrepreneurial success.
💡Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is prolonged stress that lasts for months or years and can have harmful effects on mental and physical health. In the video, it is mentioned that ageism can act as a source of chronic stress, leading to an increased risk for various chronic diseases. This underscores the importance of addressing ageism not only as a social issue but also as a public health concern.
💡Premature Mortality
Premature mortality refers to death occurring before the age of 70. The video discusses how ageism is associated with premature mortality, indicating that individuals who experience higher levels of ageism are more likely to die at a younger age. This highlights the serious health implications of ageism and the need to combat it.
💡Positive Mindset
A positive mindset is an optimistic and constructive attitude towards life and its challenges. The video suggests that having a positive outlook on aging can lead to better health outcomes, including a longer lifespan. It contrasts this with the negative effects of ageism and emphasizes the benefits of challenging societal stereotypes about aging.
💡Awareness
Awareness refers to being conscious or knowledgeable about a particular issue or situation. In the context of the video, raising awareness about ageism is presented as a crucial step in combating it. By increasing public understanding of ageism and its impacts, the video aims to foster a more inclusive and respectful society for individuals of all ages.
💡Health Benefits
Health benefits are the positive effects on physical or mental well-being that result from certain actions, behaviors, or conditions. The video discusses research showing that positive attitudes towards aging can have health benefits, such as living longer. This suggests that societal attitudes and individual perceptions of aging can significantly influence health outcomes.
💡Everyday Ageism
Everyday ageism refers to the minor, daily occurrences of discrimination or prejudice against older adults that are often normalized or ignored in society. The video highlights that over 93 percent of older adults in the U.S. experience these daily interactions and exposures, which can contribute to a negative self-perception and reinforce ageist stereotypes.
Highlights

President Biden is turning 80, prompting discussions about ageism.

Susan Spencer discusses ageism and its impact on society.

Teresa Harrison, founder of a cybersecurity company, shares her positive experience with aging and innovation.

Harrison started her company in her 50s, defying stereotypes of young tech entrepreneurs.

Ageism in the tech world can manifest as unwelcome questions about one's age and longevity in the industry.

Everyday ageism refers to minor comments and interactions that suggest aging is undesirable.

A nationwide survey shows that over 93% of older adults in the U.S. experience everyday ageism.

Ashton Applewhite's mission is to raise awareness of ageism and dismantle it through her book and grassroots movement.

Anti-aging products and jokey birthday cards are examples of ageist attitudes.

Positive attitudes towards aging can have health benefits, and people with upbeat views on aging live longer.

The average successful entrepreneur is in their 40s, contrary to the stereotype of young tech founders.

Teresa Harrison's success story demonstrates that aging can be a time of innovation and success.

Ageism can lead to chronic stress and is associated with premature mortality.

The conversation aims to challenge preconceptions about aging and inspire positive attitudes towards getting older.

Successful entrepreneurs like Vera Wang and Sam Walton started their companies after the age of 40.

Harrison's approach to aging is one of empowerment and inspiration, showing that age should not be a barrier to success.

Transcripts

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AgeismInnovationEntrepreneurshipCybersecurityBaltimoreStereotypesHealthImpactPositiveAgingWhartonStudySuccessOver50