This master's thesis explores the perception of (old) age and ageism from the perspective of the older generation. Ageism is the only form of stereotyping directed against our future selves, and all generations are involved in it. This thesis focuses on the experience of one’s own age, attitudes toward stereotypes, and their (re)production or deconstruction. The theoretical part presents key concepts related to aging, age identity, and social stereotypes, supported by existing empirical studies. The empirical part is based on a qualitative study conducted in a focus group in institutional care for the elderly, involving six participants aged between 73 and 85. The findings suggest that older adults rarely identify with their chronological age but instead adopt a youthful identity; nevertheless, they still value old age positively. A positive perception of old age is associated with their activity level, independence, and a sense of belonging to a community. Despite rejecting negative stereotypes about old age, some participants unconsciously internalize and implicitly (re)produce them. As suggested by theoretical frameworks, ageism among older adults often operates on implicit level, whereas positive attitudes toward aging are mostly expressed explicitly. This master’s thesis highlights the need to destigmatize old age and promote a more positive attitude toward aging, because both aging and the process of growing old are inevitable for every individual. Key strategies for deconstructing stereotypes and destigmatizing aging include education, intergenerational cooperation, and raising awareness of the impact of stereotypes.
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