Gerontophobia

Gerontophobia is the fear of growing old, or a hatred or fear of the elderly. The term comes from the Greek γέρων – gerōn, "old man"[1] and φόβος – phobos, "fear".[2]

Ageism

Discriminatory aspects of ageism have been strongly linked to gerontophobia.[3] This irrational fear or hatred of the elderly is associated with the fact that someday all young people will grow old and that old age is associated with death. This unwillingness to accept death manifests in feelings of hostility and discriminatory acts towards the elderly.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ γέρων, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
  2. ↑ φόβος, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
  3. ↑ Bunzel, J. H. "Note on the history of a concept-gerontophobia." Gerontologist 12:116-203.
  4. ↑ Levin, J., & Levin, W. C. (1980). Ageism, prejudice and discrimination against the elderly (p. 94). Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Pub. Co..
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