Butler and Lewis (1973, p.127) developed one of the earliest definitions of ageism, stating that it represents
“the prejudices and stereotypes that are applied to older people sheerly on the basis of their age”. Ageism is
a form of oppression which arises from a social construction of old age (Biggs, 1993). Furthermore,
ageism, as is the case with racism and sexism, pigeonholes people and does not represent their unique ways
of living (Butler and Lewis, 1973). Ageism limits an older person’s life chances due to restrictions being
placed on them as a result of stereotypical assumptions about their role and abilities (Thompson, 2003) and
legitimizes the use of chronological age as a marker to deny older people opportunities and resources
(Bytheway, 1995)