Kudos on the new Monitor
I have been an APA member for nearly 50 years. The September issue is the best in decades. I read nearly every article. Instead of being politically oriented, the issue contained articles that were newsworthy, cutting edge and generally informative. I look forward to future issues!
Stanton E. Samenow, PhD
Alexandria, Virginia
A closer look at who perpetuates studentism
I appreciated the article titled, "We're not 'kids'" in the July/August Monitor. I hear many stories from my peers detailing how the ageism they experience is not only degrading, but also leads to internalization of feelings of incompetence and ultimately stunted professional development.
However, after describing the extensive ageism that many students and early career professionals face, I was surprised the article concluded with suggestions for how to deal with these situations (e.g., speak up). The beginning of the article clearly lays out a systematic issue that is perpetuated by those in power, so to conclude by telling us how we can change our behavior invalidates our experiences. Perhaps the article should have targeted those who lack awareness of how their behavior perpetuates ageism or studentism, and what they can do to begin changing the way they view and treat their students and colleagues. Consistent with our values as psychologists and psychologists-in-training, this approach would actually push for real systematic social change.
Hayley Hughes, MSEd
Counseling Psychology Doctoral Candidate
Purdue University
Please send letters to APA Monitor on Psychology Editor Sara Martin at smartin@apa.org. Letters should be limited to 175 words and may be edited for space and clarity.