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Age discrimination also described as Ageism is the prejudice held against someone based on their age and the qualities associated with the particular age group. In this article, the age groups will be divided into the old or age able population from about 30 years and older and the young population, 29 and below. This article will discuss aspects of discrimination as it relates to both groups. In terms of the young generation they are often under estimated by the older population and are often generalized by the older generation as being bad. In terms of the older generation they are deemed “out of date” and their opinions rarely matter in the eyes of the young generation. This article analyses both sides in order to prove or disprove the prejudices held against one another. It also will relate discrimination back to intolerance and mistrust in the region.

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The Young generation is often seen as a barbaric generation with children fighting in the government schools as well as the latest fashion trends. Young girls are often scantily clad and the young men have adopted the “bad boy” type dress often characterized by the pants below the butt and the backward hats and long gold chains. They identify as “zessers” a term used to describe someone that has a high status in the group in terms of dress and qualities etc.  The older generation then comes to the conclusion that most young people have no sense of style and that their dress reflects their attitude to life. Young girls are often judged based off of the high rates of teenage pregnancy in the Caribbean region. The older generation often ridicules the pregnant teens as for some pregnancy at a young age is seen as a disgrace. The young girls often do not have a level of education high enough to get a decent paying job and struggle to support the baby as often times the young father chooses not to be in the child’s life. This adversely affects the child as they do not have a guiding father figure in their life and often times this produces a cycle of teen pregnancies. Young men without father figures in their lives are often easily caught up in gangs as they feel a sense of belonging within the gang. These gangs encourage drug usage and some young men even get caught up in dealing and supplying drugs. An article in the Guardian newspaper written by Grace Alexander states that “cookies” and “brownies” laced with marijuana and ecstasy were being distributed in schools and given out at teenage parties according to minister Stuart Young. The older generation often times contributes to the downfall of the young people’s but most avoid the topic when brought up to them. Improper parenting is often the results of the demise of most young people who often times go out seeking comfort in friend groups. These friend groups however are sometimes not plausible and can lead many astray. Young people also present new ideas that are often not accepted by the older generation and they are looked down upon and seen as uneducated because of the nature of the idea presented. Most people prefer to side with an age able person than with a youngster who is seen as "fresh meat".

The young generation however are not all lost as there are many young people doing great in their countries. For example involving themselves in youth groups and clubs that shape them into more well rounded people. After all they are the future of our Caribbean region. They will carry on our legacy. Young people are also very academically smart and obtain very high grades in their exams. In Trinidad and Tobago this year, 2019, The government awarded a total of 400 scholarships to students that did excessively well in the CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations). There was great competition for these scholarships as many students were eligible for a scholarship and their actual exam marks determined their success in receiving one. This proves that the young people work hard in order to achieve a sustainable life for them and their children. Young people also engage in sports that afford them great opportunities in life for example sports scholarships. Recently, according to the Guardian newspaper, an article written by Rachel Thompson- King states that 3 basketball players received scholarships over the recent July- August vacation and have gone over to the United states to study and play basketball. The generation also forms clubs and groups where the interact, be it a Rotary interact club or a small parang group, they strive for success. In the University of the West Indies there is a Student Guild that represent the views of young people and provide a voice for the young people. Young people strive for a sense of belonging as a means of forming a Caribbean Identity. They involve themselves in groups that are influential to them and help them become more well-rounded. This goes against the views of the older generation that young people do in fact care about their lives and strive for excellence.

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Recently, some UWI students held an event called "Chalk your truth" whereby they educated other students about consent and its importance in forming healthy relationships and friendships.

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The older generation is seen as “out of date” and often times their opinions are not taken into consideration.Sometimes they are even detested by the young generation based on their viewpoints. The older generation’s viewpoint dates back to our history that shaped us as a Caribbean region. It helped us form our identity. The colonial times helped us form the culture that we have today. The older generation is apart of that culture and they try to teach their offspring the culture. Often times this poses a challenge as the media presents many new ideas disguised by pretty animations that appeal to the younger generation. The colonial times gave us religious views, dress and food. In the modern times, the younger generation disregards the older generation’s religious views for the views presented in the media. The describe the dress as being “old timey” and prefer a more Americanized food selection. The older generation also have specific customs for example, walking inside backwards at night prevents spirits from following into the house as well as putting cut hair into a plant pot in the hopes that as the plant grows the hair of the owner will grow. The young generation views these customs as superstitions and they often don’t adopt them. This is a serious problem as the views change the culture is not retained and can lead to cultural erasure. In Judy Raymond’s book “Berryl McBurnie” culture is changed by Berryl in order to appeal to a wider spectrum of audiences. The young generation is on that spectrum as some of them have found the folk dances to be boring.

The young generation discriminate against the older generation but they have contributed a lot. Without them we would never be where we are today. Their anti-colonial movements made many territories independent as well as other territories went on to become republic nations. The older generation also provided in that they started the economic foundation by working on the sugar plantations before oil and natural gas was discovered. They built the region up from the ground level and for that they should forever be given praise. The older generation has shaped our Caribbean Identity and moulded the way the outside world sees the Caribbean looking in. They have contributed to the food for example; pelau, curry etc. This food has been side lined but many young people still enjoy a “home cooked” meal. They have also contributed a lot to the arts. Many young people become interested in folk dance and music by the day. Many influential artistes like Machel Montano, The Mighty Sparrow and Shadow have made large contributions to the soca and calypso industry. The older generation plays a large part in the socialization of the young people as well. They teach them right from wrong as well as how the assimilate themselves into society. They play a big part in the young generation’s upbringing. These responsibilities however are not acted upon sometimes which sometimes results in the search for socialization elsewhere. This can lead in the assimilation into the gangs mentioned before. The older generation has played a very influential role in the young generation’s life.

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Influential representative from the younger generation.

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Influential representative from the younger generation.

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This picture was taken at the recent Carifesta 2019. It is a replica of the statue of Robert Nesta Marley also known as "Bob Marley" located in Kingston Jamaica. He is a representative of the older generation who made a large contribution to our identity in the form of reggae music. He also largely influenced the younger generation.

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In conclusion, the older generation often times lose faith in the youth as being the future of our Caribbean region. However, the young generation has tried to prove itself worthy many times by succeeding in academics and other areas. The young generation disregards the older generation’s views and this causes conflict between the two generations. The older generation however have in fact contributed many to the young generation. These generations lack trust that they can both co- exist in harmony and be able to accept each other’s views or at least come to a common ground. The Caribbean today is characterized by mistrust and intolerance in the generational aspect but not at all levels. Many contributions by both the young and old generation have shaped our identity and formed us into the civilization we are today.