The Western n government wants to ban terms such as ‘boomer’ and ‘millennial’ because they claim it creates division between different generations.
The move is part of a ‘Challenge Your Bias’ project launched by the Cook Labor government on Tuesday to tackle ageism with a guide booklet calling for the end of proverbs such as ‘over the hill’ and ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’.
A $400,000 two-year education campaign will seek to ‘raise awareness of ageism, and its impacts on a person’, according to the campaign’s website produced by the Department of Communities.
‘Terms that separate generations such as boomer, generation X, or millennial are unhelpful as they create conflict between age groups and can cause unnecessary tension,’ the booklet, titled A Guide to Inclusive Language and Images, states.
‘These generalisations are not scientifically defined, don’t have consistent names and are best avoided.’
The seven-page guide also also said that generalisations about age groups are harmful.
‘It is common to use generalisations and make assumptions to describe older people as a singular group,’ it states.
‘This negative stereotyping takes away the individuality of people.’
People are advised to avoid terms such as ‘facility’, ‘institution’, ‘nursing home’ or ‘old people’s home’ when talking about the places where older people (defined as those over 65 and 55 for Indigenous people by the guide) live out their last years.
To use such terms ‘reduces their living environment to be clinical sounding or a place for a person to be forgotten about,’ the guide advises
‘Terms such as ‘aged care home’, ‘residential aged care’ and ‘assisted home living’ provides a respectful description of an older person’s living arrangements.’
WA Seniors and Ageing Minister Don Punch said the guide outlined ‘how images, phrases, and words can better portray older people.’
‘Western ns are living longer than ever before, with older people projected to make up one-quarter of our population by 2071,’ he told the West n.
‘Raising awareness of ageist attitudes and language, and being mindful of how older people are perceived, can positively influence our behaviour and attitudes towards older people.
‘The aim is to rethink how ageing and older people are described and represented in the media, in organisations, and everyday life, and to consider alternatives.’
Ageism is defined by the guide as ‘how we think (stereotypes), how we feel (prejudice), and how we act (discrimination) towards people based on their age’.
‘While reading this language guide, you may recognise some of the ways language and associated behaviours can be ageist and may find you have said these things yourself,’ the guide advises.
‘Don’t be disheartened. Even the most ardent ageism activist can still be ageist to themselves or other people.
‘This reflects ageism being so covert and widespread and is why campaigns such as this are so important to raise awareness.’