Growing Up and Growing Older




Objective(s) & Context

1. Examine ageism by exploring stereotypes about older and younger people

 

This activity teaches participants about tolerance and stereotyping. It helps young people to confront the issues of ageism that present challenges to both themselves and to older people.

 

Duration

45–60 minutes

 

Group Size

10–30

 

Age group

14 +

 

Skills(s)

Communication and analytical skills, comprehension

 

Format(s) & Technique(s)

Buzz groups, large group discussion

 

Materials

Growing Up and Growing Older Quiz: Reference Sheet

Flip chart

Markers

 

Leading the Activity: Steps to Take

Preparation:

1. Make a flip chart version of the Growing Up and Growing Older Quiz: Reference Sheet to use in Part 2 of the activity.

 

Workshop:

Part 1 (20 minutes):

  1. Divide participants into a maximum of four small groups.

  2. Provide each small group with a copy of the Growing Up and Growing Older Quiz: Reference Sheet on age stereotypes.

  3. Go over the instructions on the Growing Up and Growing Older Quiz: Reference Sheet with the participants.

  4. Explain that each statement should be discussed among the group to determine which age group that statement belongs to.

  5. Ask each group to complete the quiz.

  6. Tell them to write down the key points of their discussion in the space provided below each statement. Why did they choose that age group? If they are undecided, why?

  7. Have one or two participants volunteer to present the results of their discussion to the large group in Part 2.

 

Part 2 (40 minutes):

  1. Ask participants to form a circle.

  2. Using the flip chart version of the Growing Up and Growing Older Quiz: Reference Sheet, ask the volunteers from each group to provide the response to each question.

  3. Collect the responses from all of the groups before continuing to discuss the comments.

  4. Continue using the flip chart version of the Growing Up and Growing Older Quiz: Reference Sheet.Select 5 out of the 10 questions and ask the participants to discuss why they chose that particular age group for that question. If they were undecided, ask them to discuss why.

  5. Ask the participants the following suggested questions:

  • Both older and younger people can be victims of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination because of their age. In what other ways is being young, similar to being old?

  • What kind of actions can we take to address age-based prejudice and discrimination (called ageism)? How might older and younger people work together to resolve this problem?

  • Ask participants to brainstorm about what they appreciate about each generation.

 

Debrief

Questions to ask participants:

  • How did this activity make you feel?

  • What did you learn?

 

Success Indicators

Participants are:

  • More aware of how age stereotypes can affect intergenerational relationships

 

Source: Adapted from Teaching Tolerance Activity: http://www.tolerance.org/teach/magazine