When self-interest and age sterotypes collide: elders opposing increased funds for programs benefiting themselves

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Gerontology
• Public Policy

Background:

• Media often portrays elders as self-interested regarding programs benefiting the elderly.
• Existing research has not fully explored the influence of intergenerational stereotypes on older adults' policy preferences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether older adults' stereotypes about the young influence their opposition to increased funding for elder-focused programs.
• To examine the relationship between internalized stereotypes and current group interests in policy evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of survey responses from 1656 individuals.
• Comparison of attitudes between older and younger participants.
• Statistical modeling to identify predictors of policy opposition.

Main Results:

• Older participants were more likely to oppose increased funding for Social Security, Meals on Wheels, and Medicare.
• Opposition to funding for Social Security and Meals on Wheels was predicted by a stereotype favoring the young's capabilities over the old's.
• Internalized stereotypes, potentially formed earlier in life, were stronger predictors than current group interests.

Conclusions:

• Elders' views on programs like Social Security may be shaped by long-held stereotypes rather than immediate self-interest.
• Understanding internalized intergenerational stereotypes is crucial for predicting public opinion on social welfare programs.
• This research challenges the notion that older adults universally support all programs benefiting their age group.