Idadismo no Brasil em tempos de COVID-19: uma análise de publicações em site jornalístico no primeiro semestre de 2020

Abstract

Introduction: Ageism is a phenomenon that promotes the creation of stereotypes and discrimination and arises from the propagation of discourses that promote bias based on age. In order to understand the specificities of ageism in the COVID-19 pandemic, an analysis of publications on a journalistic website published in the first half of 2020 was carried out. Methodology: Folha de São Paulo publications containing the word “older people” were analyzed, divided into three related thematic axes to stereotypes, economics and health. The analysis method followed the five phases proposed by Yin (2016) following a Bakhtinian enunciative analysis. Results: 148 publications were analyzed and classified according to their highest percentage of appearance in health, economics, violence, politics and culture. Discussion: Regarding the formation of stereotypes, we found the reaffirmation of negative characteristics present in aging. Regarding economy, ageism is presented through discourses that diminish the importance of the health of the older people during the pandemic in favor of the supposed need for the country's economic continuity. With regard to matters dealing with the health of the older people, ageism is perceived in the state's lack of responsibility in defending the necessary distancing measures during the pandemic. Conclusion: From what was exposed and discussed in this article, we believe that there was a spread of ageist discourses during the, COVID-19 pandemic, which affected decision-making both at the individual level and in government management.