Age
Age is one of the nine protected characteristics included within the Equality Act 2010. Where this is referred to, it refers to a person belonging to a particular age (eg 32 year olds) or range of ages (eg 18-30 year olds).
Age discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably because of their age and particularly affects young and older people. You can be discriminated against because of your age, or because you are in a specific age group.
Content warning
Some of the terminology and definitions used in this glossary relate to subject matter that may be upsetting or triggering for some people.
Prejudiced thought or discriminatory action against young people, in favour of an older person.35
As above, age is one of the nine protected characteristics included within the Equality Act 2010. Where this is referred to, it refers to a person belonging to a particular age (eg 32 year olds) or range of ages (eg 18-30 year olds).36
Ageism or age discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably because of their age and particularly affects young and older people. You can be discriminated against because of your age, or because you are in a specific age group.37
While ageism is often perceived as being less harmful than other forms of discrimination, normalising and reinforcing ageist attitudes manifests in discriminatory practices in everyday life that impact upon the health and wellbeing of older people in many different ways, both limiting their opportunities for employment and access to health care.
When speaking or writing about older people, for example, it is best practice to use terms that are precise and accurate. The term older adult(s) or older person/people is respectful and should be the standard if there is a clear need to reference the age of someone.37a Terms such as “Old person/people”; “Old Age Pensioner (OAP)”; “elderly” or “geriatric” are all terms that should not be used when referring to older people, as they help to perpetuate harmful, inaccurate stereotypes that associate ageing with frailty, vulnerability and the idea of becoming a burden to society.
Mature students are defined as any student aged 21 or over at the start of their studies. According to UCAS, just over a half of mature students are aged between 21 and 24, while 38% are between 25 and 39, and 10% are over 40 when they commence their studies.38 For more information and support as a mature student see the mature student webpages.
The definition of ‘young’ or a ‘young person’ changes over time and depending on the context or service responsibilities; therefore, it could mean children of school age and younger, or people under 25, who are generally considered to be ‘young adults’.
In terms of equality monitoring the University categorises individuals into different age ranges for both staff and student monitoring. For example, the University identifies the following staff age ranges: under 25, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64 and 65+. Student monitoring is divided into ‘Young’ and ‘Mature’.