Ageism is a prejudiced view of people's age. This discrimination manifests itself in different ways, such as jokes, attitudes that exclude the elderly person and also infantilize the person by underestimating their ability to make decisions or have an opinion.

• This is the behavior of an old person!
• You don't even look your age, you look great!
• You're too old to study!
• This outfit doesn't suit you, because it's for younger people.
• Wow, what an old man's idea!

There are so many others, but here I want to establish a change in this stereotype, in which being an older person does not mean uselessness. How can we change this prejudiced thinking? Changing someone's idea is not easy, so start with yourself, because sometimes without realizing it we are prejudiced, just remember one of the phrases I quoted above. When we underestimate our ability or that of others because of their age we are practicing etarism.

How can we tell that we are suffering from or practicing ageism? When you limit a person or qualify them because of their age, this prejudice is already established. I'll cite an example: At a job interview for a particular position, people of all ages are present, but it's very common for the youngest person to be chosen for the position, even if the older person has greater qualifications and experience. This thinking in which the older person is limited is outdated, because people are living longer, they're taking care of their physical, mental and spiritual health, so it's a victory for humanity to understand that the process of growing old can be very happy and positive and that it's a privilege to live with quality at any age.

This older person certainly has a lot of life experience and can contribute a lot to guiding many young people who today are undecided, lost and perhaps weakened. On the other hand, young people can exchange experiences with older people, and this exchange of experiences is very important and enriching for everyone.

When you underestimate aging, you also deny your own future.