Social Exclusion and the Older Generation

Written by Cynthia Xie

Social exclusion is a complex and multi-dimensional process. Imagine there is a red circle. Within it, there is access to a good social network, education, jobs, and all the different community resources, representing the mainstream. And in this circle, there are also people, benefitting from the abundant resources around them.

However, certain individuals can find themselves relegated or pushed out of the red circle, into the fringes of the society, where they are prevented from participating in the community. They may face reduced rights, economic hardships, housing insecurities, and safety issues and are likely to be more vulnerable to exploitation. Never assume that you are immune to the risks in the fringes of society just because you are at the center of the red circle, protected by billions of people around you. You could be propelled into the margins overnight, due to often unavoidable circumstances like economic depression or illness.

People on the fringes of society do not have equal access to the opportunities and basic services that allow them to live happily. They often find themselves unable to actively engage in society or have their voices acknowledged. They are completely excluded and disconnected from the society.

Social exclusion infiltrates our society, especially prevalent among the older generation.

Social exclusion may exist in many ways which we often fail to recognize. It could be an ageist stereotype imposed, leading to failure when asking for support or enrolling for a job. It could be more physical, such as existing facilities that are inconsiderate for older people or the increasing digitalization our world faces which we were unsuccessful at educating them about. These scenarios can bring a more significant impact than we think, leading to mental health issues such as depression and higher levels of loneliness (Hossain et al., 2022).

While we, as the mainstream, are accustomed to the convenience brought by the advancing technology, indulging in its benefits. The older generation is left behind by the progressing society, unable to keep up, completely forgotten and ignored by us.

Therefore, we urge you to spend more time with the older generation around you by regularly conversing with them. End ageist stereotypes, inform yourselves and deepen your understanding of the experiences of the socially excluded individuals, and provide help for those struggling. Abolish social exclusion to avoid a disappearing generation. 

Edited by Olivia Zhang