Growing older should bring wisdom and freedom, but in today’s society, it often brings something far less welcome: invisibility. Ageism creeps in quietly, reshaping how others treat you — and how you're expected to see yourself. (0) AS befits my new status as a dependent, I must keep my head down, stop clamouring for a better pension and 1 grateful for my free bus pass and for concessions when I go into a museum. The whole welfare system seems hellbent on 2 me in what "they" think is my proper place. 3 is so exasperating is that 4 of this is inevitable. Ageism is a European phenomenon, a comparatively recent by-product of the industrial society, in 5, as non-workers, older people are a drag 6 the market, of 7 value, a cost and 8 problem.