Public debates on ageism usually highlight bias against older adults, with stereotypes casting them as slow, grumpy, and forgetful. But new research from Wharton reveals that the most negative attitudes are actually directed toward young adults—a phenomenon called “youngism.”
In two large surveys of U.S. adults, researchers found that people held more positive views of older adults than younger ones, challenging the idea that age-related prejudice mainly affects older people. In fact, bias against young adults was substantial, on par with discrimination faced by groups like Black Americans. Meanwhile, views of older adults were similar to those held about advantaged groups like white Americans.
“People often assume that ageism primarily targets the elderly,” the researchers explain. “Youth is usually linked to beauty, athleticism, and sharp minds. Many even strive to stay young in appearance and spirit.”
Negative stereotypes
However, young adults—those aged 18 to 30—often experience condescension and stereotyping. Unlike ageism against the old, which stems from discomfort with aging, youngism comes from the belief that today’s youth don’t measure up to past generations. But this belief is far from new. Complaints about younger generations go back as far as Ancient Greece. Today, Baby Boomers criticize Millennials and Gen Z as lazy, entitled, and naïve, much like they were once stereotyped as lazy and self-righteous “hippies” in their youth. When it comes to youngism, it seems yesterday’s victims become today’s critics.
The study also sheds light on why reverse ageism against young people is often ignored, even as discrimination against older generations gains attention. This isn’t due to ignorance but to the belief that ageism against the young isn’t a serious moral issue.
“Since everyone has been young once, people justify their biases without feeling guilty,” the researchers note. “There’s a sense that you can’t be prejudiced against young people if you’ve been young yourself.”
Real consequences
Yet these biases have real consequences. The tensions between younger and older generations, such as those seen in the “OK Boomer” movement, are rooted in economic and environmental issues. Young adults are often viewed as the future, but their prospects look grim. They face rising housing costs, large student debts, and lower incomes, resulting in the biggest wealth gap between generations in history. They will also inherit the environmental damage caused by the excesses of older generations.
Negative perceptions of young adults make it harder to address these problems. Older adults, who often hold stronger biases against youth, may be less inclined to support policies like student debt relief. Those in power, who are largely older, may find it easier to justify why young people earn less than previous generations by framing them as lazy, ignoring real issues like debt and the rising cost of living.
While much research has focused on ageism against older adults, the Wharton study shows that Americans now tend to view older people more positively. This shift may be due to the fact that today’s older adults are healthier, more independent, and more active than in the past.
“Some studies suggest that society’s views of older adults have become less negative over the past 50 years,” the researchers say.
They also point out that differences in research methods might explain the discrepancy with traditional studies on ageism. Older studies often use younger participants, who are more liberal and may underestimate negative views of youth.
In the end, the study highlights the need to address discrimination against all age groups, rather than pitting one against the other.
“Though young people may face more negative attitudes today, ageism still impacts older generations,” the researchers conclude. “As our population ages, we need to understand bias across all age groups to create fair policies and maintain social cohesion.”
