Czy w Polsce występuje gerontofobia?

Abstract

Is there in Poland the gerontophoby? The goal of this article is an attempt to characterize the gerontophoby in Poland. The gerontophoby is a fear of aging and old people and it’s connected with the negative stereotype of the elderly. It’s an universal fear: young and old people are frightened of old age. Negative view on this period of life connects old age with solitude, poor health, dependence of others and many limitations. Old people are described as ill, boring and passive. This negative stereotype can be a reason of ageism – discriminative behaviours against elderly, which push them out to the margins of social life.