#WriteInclusion Factsheets
Expanded glossary of terms
Scroll down to read our full glossary, or click to filter by a specific Factsheet category.
FILTER BY FACTSHEET
SEARCH FOR A SPECIFIC TERM
Ageism
The stereotyping, prejudice, and/or discrimination against people based on their age (across all ages). Ageism affects all aspects of our society, from the workplace (e.g., being fired from a job because of age) to healthcare (e.g., not being taken seriously by doctors because of age).
The stereotyping, prejudice, and/or discrimination against people based on their age (across all ages). Ageism affects all aspects of our society, from the workplace (e.g., being fired from a job because of age) to healthcare (e.g., not being taken seriously by doctors because of age).
Baby Boomer
"Baby boomer" is a term describing a person born between 1946 and 1964. This generation comprises a substantial portion of the world's population, especially in developed nations. As of 2019, it represents 23.5% of the U.S. population. As the largest generational group in U.S. history (until the millennial generation slightly surpassed them), baby boomers have had — and continue to have — a significant impact on the economy. This often makes them the focus of marketing campaigns and business plans. As of 2021, they’re reaching retirement age and face key challenges, including funding their retirements. See here for more.
"Baby boomer" is a term describing a person born between 1946 and 1964. This generation comprises a substantial portion of the world's population, especially in developed nations. As of 2019, it represents 23.5% of the U.S. population. As the largest generational group in U.S. history (until the millennial generation slightly surpassed them), baby boomers have had — and continue to have — a significant impact on the economy. This often makes them the focus of marketing campaigns and business plans. As of 2021, they’re reaching retirement age and face key challenges, including funding their retirements. See here for more.
Biological Clock
In relation to birthing people, the biological clock refers to the sense of pressure people feel to have children during their “peak” reproductive years. While it is true that fertility declines after a certain age, it is still possible for many people to get pregnant later in life. When it comes to storytelling, the biological clock is often used as the sole motivator for a woman’s character arc, reducing her only to her desire to have children.
In relation to birthing people, the biological clock refers to the sense of pressure people feel to have children during their “peak” reproductive years. While it is true that fertility declines after a certain age, it is still possible for many people to get pregnant later in life. When it comes to storytelling, the biological clock is often used as the sole motivator for a woman’s character arc, reducing her only to her desire to have children.
Emotional Labor
The process of managing feelings and expressions in order to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job. More specifically, when workers have to regulate emotions to shape the minds of superiors, co-workers, and customers. Emotional labor more often falls on BIPOC people, especially women (e.g., swallowing down feelings about a racist or sexist comment so as not to make things awkward for another individual, having to fake positivity to placate a customer).
The process of managing feelings and expressions in order to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job. More specifically, when workers have to regulate emotions to shape the minds of superiors, co-workers, and customers. Emotional labor more often falls on BIPOC people, especially women (e.g., swallowing down feelings about a racist or sexist comment so as not to make things awkward for another individual, having to fake positivity to placate a customer).
Generational Trauma
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
Identity
An intrinsic, embodied part of who someone is (e.g., race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability), not to be confused with the various experiences, ideologies, and preferences they identify with (e.g., careers, politics, hobbies). Identity shapes our everyday life, psychology, culture, relationships, behavior, and shared history. Identity is deeply personal and language used to describe it is ever-evolving. We must be open to new language as understanding shifts; it’s vital to use the terms, names, and pronouns others use for themselves. Note: Avoid the phrasing “identify as” (e.g. “she is a woman” instead of “she identifies as a woman”; “they are non-binary” vs “they identify as non-binary”).
An intrinsic, embodied part of who someone is (e.g., race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability), not to be confused with the various experiences, ideologies, and preferences they identify with (e.g., careers, politics, hobbies). Identity shapes our everyday life, psychology, culture, relationships, behavior, and shared history. Identity is deeply personal and language used to describe it is ever-evolving. We must be open to new language as understanding shifts; it’s vital to use the terms, names, and pronouns others use for themselves. Note: Avoid the phrasing “identify as” (e.g. “she is a woman” instead of “she identifies as a woman”; “they are non-binary” vs “they identify as non-binary”).
Long-Term Care
A number of services that meet the medical and non-medical needs of older adults (as well as others with chronic illness or disability), including but not limited to caretakers, long-term facilities (e.g., assisted-living homes and communities), home accessibility renovations (e.g., handrails and walk-in tubs), and physical and drug therapies. See here for key stats on long-term care in the U.S., and see here for more about caregivers.
A number of services that meet the medical and non-medical needs of older adults (as well as others with chronic illness or disability), including but not limited to caretakers, long-term facilities (e.g., assisted-living homes and communities), home accessibility renovations (e.g., handrails and walk-in tubs), and physical and drug therapies. See here for key stats on long-term care in the U.S., and see here for more about caregivers.
Medicare
Medicare is a U.S. national health insurance program started in 1966 under the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is now administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It primarily provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older, but also for younger people with SSA-determined disability status, and people with end stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). In 2018, Medicare provided health insurance for 59.9+ million individuals — 52+ million people aged 65 and older and about 8 million younger people. Medicare covers about half of healthcare costs of those enrolled. See here for more Medicare details.
Medicare is a U.S. national health insurance program started in 1966 under the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is now administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It primarily provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older, but also for younger people with SSA-determined disability status, and people with end stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).
In 2018, Medicare provided health insurance for 59.9+ million individuals — 52+ million people aged 65 and older and about 8 million younger people. Medicare covers about half of healthcare costs of those enrolled. See here for more Medicare details.
Othering
A pattern of exclusion and marginalization based on having identities that are different from the perceived “norms” of a community, social group, nation, etc. It relies on an “us vs. them” mentality.
A pattern of exclusion and marginalization based on having identities that are different from the perceived “norms” of a community, social group, nation, etc. It relies on an “us vs. them” mentality.
Pension
An employer-sponsored retirement plan that provides income in retirement or upon the termination of a worker's employment. Pensions are offered in both the public and private sector, though are becoming less common in the private sector. Employees receive a set income in retirement related to how long they worked at a company. Employers, not employees, fund the income. Since the 1980s, they’ve been gradually phased out and replaced with 401(k) plans.
An employer-sponsored retirement plan that provides income in retirement or upon the termination of a worker's employment. Pensions are offered in both the public and private sector, though are becoming less common in the private sector. Employees receive a set income in retirement related to how long they worked at a company. Employers, not employees, fund the income. Since the 1980s, they’ve been gradually phased out and replaced with 401(k) plans.
Race-Related Stressors on Aging
A race-related stressor is something that causes psychological or emotional distress that an individual or group of people experience as a result of being a target of a racial discriminatory action (e.g., microaggressions, hate crimes, institutionalized racism). These stressors impact how individuals or racial and ethnic populations age (e.g., African Americans have higher rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s due to chronic stress; Arab Americans report high levels of depression and anxiety due to bias-motivated violence; Asian Americans’ health conditions often go untreated due to a lack of culturally and linguistically accessible care; Latinx Americans have high rates of negative mental health outcomes due to bigotry and prejudice; Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have a lower life expectancy because of disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences). Overall, older people among ethnic minorities report poorer health outcomes than white older people no matter their social and economic conditions. More on African Americans here and here, and more on Arab Americans here.
A race-related stressor is something that causes psychological or emotional distress that an individual or group of people experience as a result of being a target of a racial discriminatory action (e.g., microaggressions, hate crimes, institutionalized racism). These stressors impact how individuals or racial and ethnic populations age (e.g., African Americans have higher rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s due to chronic stress; Arab Americans report high levels of depression and anxiety due to bias-motivated violence; Asian Americans’ health conditions often go untreated due to a lack of culturally and linguistically accessible care; Latinx Americans have high rates of negative mental health outcomes due to bigotry and prejudice; Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have a lower life expectancy because of disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services, and cultural differences).
Overall, older people among ethnic minorities report poorer health outcomes than white older people no matter their social and economic conditions. More on African Americans here and here, and more on Arab Americans here.
Senior Citizen
Synonym for an older person, typically one who is retired or living on a pension.
Synonym for an older person, typically one who is retired or living on a pension.
Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
(SDoH): The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material aspects of “place,” patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live. Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes (e.g., safe and affordable housing, availability of healthy foods, toxin-free environments). How population groups experience “place” directly impacts the specific social components of SDoH (e.g., access to educational, economic, and job opportunities; public safety; language and literacy) and public components of SDoH (e.g., natural environments, built environments). See here for more details.
The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material aspects of “place,” patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live.
Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes (e.g., safe and affordable housing, availability of healthy foods, toxin-free environments). How population groups experience “place” directly impacts the specific social components of SDoH (e.g., access to educational, economic, and job opportunities; public safety; language and literacy) and public components of SDoH (e.g., natural environments, built environments). See here for more details.
Social Security
Trauma Porn
Refers to art or media that exploits the pain, suffering, and brutalization of marginalized people for the sake of entertainment. These depictions cater to non-marginalized viewers and characters rather than exploring the experience, situation, or POV of the person(s) being victimized. These kinds of depictions are harmful for all viewers as they deny the life and livelihood of those being victimized, devaluing their existence in our communities and society, granting no opportunity for empathy and deeper understanding.
Refers to art or media that exploits the pain, suffering, and brutalization of marginalized people for the sake of entertainment. These depictions cater to non-marginalized viewers and characters rather than exploring the experience, situation, or POV of the person(s) being victimized. These kinds of depictions are harmful for all viewers as they deny the life and livelihood of those being victimized, devaluing their existence in our communities and society, granting no opportunity for empathy and deeper understanding.
U.S. Census
The U.S. Constitution mandates that America gets only one chance every 10 years to count its population. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. The data collected determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Find more here.
The U.S. Constitution mandates that America gets only one chance every 10 years to count its population. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. The data collected determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives (a process called apportionment) and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Find more here.