Anti-ageist Dialogue Across Generations (11/18/02; NWSA, 6/19/03-6/22/03)

LifeSpan: opening anti-ageist dialogue across the generations

Ageism can be defined as discrimination against the old, or discrimination against the young, or both. In an atmosphere of limited resources, these two groups seem to be frequently interpellated as oppositional - Social Security vs AFDC, fresh vs stale thoughts, wisdom vs inexperience (I'm hoping these dichotomies are inflammatory). Should the term 'ageism' be reserved for the old? Is the term 'youthism' useful? How different are the goals of the 2nd and the 3rd wave of feminists, or is there a wave division? What goals do we have in common? How can we work to disarm the embattlement between the generations - in NWSA, in the classroom and the academy, and in our personal lives?

The National Women's Studies Association's (NWSA's) 24th annual convention is June 19-22, 2003 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Further information on the conference is available at http://www.nwsa.org.

The Aging and Ageism Caucus of the NWSA invites potential panelists to submit abstracts of 250-500 words via email or snailmail. The deadline is November 18th, 2002. Please specify the panel name in the email subject line or in the cover letter.

Leni Marshall
mars0264@umn.edu
University of Minnesota
Department of English
207 Church Street SE, 207 Lind Hall
Minneapolis, MN 55455