Ageism (also spelled "
agism") is
stereotyping and discriminating against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. This may be casual or systematic. The term was coined in 1969 by
Robert Neil Butler to describe discrimination against
seniors, and patterned on
sexism and
racism. Butler defined "ageism" as a combination of three connected elements. Among them were prejudicial attitudes towards older people, old age, and the
aging process; discriminatory practices against older people; and institutional practices and policies that perpetuate
stereotypes about elderly people.