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XXXXXXXXX, XXXXX, XXXXXXXXX, and XXXXXXXXXXXX (XXXX) Resources

This guide is designed to support the study and practical application of resources related to XXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX, & XXXXXXXXXX (XXXX) topics.

Key Terms

Ageism - The XXXXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX against individuals or groups on the basis of their age; ageism can take many forms, including XXXXXXXXXXXXX attitudes, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX practices, or institutional policies and practices that perpetuate XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX beliefs. 1

Examples of XXXX-Free Language⁠2 

The following table illustrates are examples of XXXX-free language for age. Both problematic and preferred examples are presented with explanatory comment.

Problematic Preferred Explanation

the XXXXXXX
elders
XXXXXXXX people
the aged
aging dependents
seniors
senior citizens

older adults
older people
persons 65 years and older
the older population

The problematic terms perpetuate XXXXXXXXXXX.

“Seniors” and “senior citizens” are not uniformly recognized age groups.

Be specific about the age groups when possible.
Aged 12 years and younger Aged 13 to 17 years Aged 18 years and older

Appropriate terms are “infant” (for a very young child), “child,” “girl,” “boy,” “XXXXXXXXX girl,” “XXXXXXXX boy,” “XXXXXX-fluid child,”  and so on.

Appropriate terms are “adolescent,” “young person,” “youth,” “young XXXXX,” “young man,” “XXXXXX adolescent,” “male adolescent,” “agender adolescent,” and so on.

Appropriate terms are “adult,” “XXXXX,” “man,” “XXXXXXXXXXX man,” “XXXXX man,” “XXXXXXXX XXXXX,” “XXXXX XXXXX,” “XXXXXXXXXXX adult,” “cisgender adult,” and so on.

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1. "Frequently Asked Questions: Ageism," World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/ageing/features/faq-ageism/en/

2. "Age," American Psychological Association.