Ageism

Ageism is the practice of stereotyping, harboring prejudice, and discriminating against people based on their age.

In SF, ageism can be seen most readily through the preponderance of stories featuring young adult protagonists: protagonists who are going through coming of age stories, or protagonists who have entered adulthood but have not yet been saddled with responsibilities for families.

Other topics:

• ageism as relates to sexism
• ageism as relates to racism (older = safer; magical negro)
• ageism and prejudice against youth culture; plays out in real-life significantly; see disdain for YA fiction in major awards
• assumptions of adult rights over children
• war between the ages in SF
• themes of immortality, fear of death; also particularly gendered
• themes of seductiveness and sexualizing youth; feminist critique, backlash & moral panic over pedophilia