Communicating (St)ageism

Abstract

Older adults are often plagued with the stereotype that they have outgrown any semblance of sexual identity. This stereotype is prominent in the workplace, as older coworkers are assumed to be past the stage in their lives where sexuality is an aspect of one’s identity. The present study explored how age was a central factor in describing sexuality in the workplace. More specifically, active interviews unearthed age of organization members as a prominent rationale for why sexual discussion is prohibited in the workplace. Results indicated a discursive divide separating older workers from their younger counterparts, reifying the notion that older coworkers are largely asexual. Implications are provided and include an opportunity to see age at the intersection of sexuality as a discursive dividing line in the workplace.