Examples Of Ageism In The Misfits

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Ageism isn’t a term usually used for youth, but it is apparent in The Misfits. When Addie and Bobby go to their teachers to discuss the “problems” they created, they were turned down by the teachers because they “were just kids”. Although this is an overlooked problem, it is still very major and it deserves attention. Seniors are usually the main target of this iniquity, but youth can also be affected. Kid’s ideas are often turned down because they are “too young” or “not experienced. Youth can feel like their ideas and thoughts are nothing because of this, which can lead to self-esteem issues. In The Misfits, Addie is treated with little respect by the teachers and principal even though she had great ideas. “‘Trouble?’ Addie goes. ‘for what? We didn’t do anything wrong!’ Ms. Wyman doesn’t see it that way.”(Howe,183)Addie, Bobby, Joe, and Skeezie have to fight for a right they already have, and it is truly shameful …show more content…

For example, a national event called No Name-Calling Week was created mainly because of the powerful message James Howe put into his book, The Misfits. The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing formed a partnership in 2004 to create No Name-Calling Week, and spread like wildfire to around the US. ”No Name-Calling Week (NNCW) was first started in 2004 as a partnership between the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, and has quickly grown to include over 40 national partner organizations.”(Graham) James Howe inspired No Name-Calling Week through his book The Misfits, a compelling story where a group of friends have to survive 7th grade against all odds, facing all sorts of bullying and name-calling. No Name-Calling week is used to promote a positive school environment, and it also tries to lower bullying rates by having kids do writing and acts of