Abstract
LL.M.
Age discrimination first arose in the post-industrial revolution period. Prior to that most
people earned a living through a connection to the land. Agriculture was a family affair with
all members contributing to the task, from the youngest to the oldest, according to their
abilities. As the ability for labour waned, older people tended to be cared for by their
families.
Those who did not work on the land were mostly self-employed artisans and crafts people,
such as cobblers, carpenters and blacksmiths, and they worked to whatever schedule they
wished. Also, tools used at that time were different to those used today and expertise was
achieved through age and experience, so that a tradesman such as a goldsmith was a more
skilled artisan if he had 30 years experience than an associate with considerably less
experience.
Age discrimination in employment just did not occur because there was little employment by
large impersonal corporations.