THE essay topic of the National High School Examination (Enem), “Perspectives on aging in Brazilian society”, helps to promote current debates such as rights violations and ageism, which is prejudice against a person because of their age. 
The evaluation is from teachers heard by the Brazil Agency this Sunday (9).
For writing teacher Bárbara Soares, who works in Brasília, the exam once again brought up a relevant and current topic, given the aging of the population and the need to combat ageism.
Furthermore, possible relationships with rights violations, such as the discovery of the embezzlement of Brazilian pension resources and the need for new public policies, could be addressed in the test.
“There is a great concern about how to protect these people. Enem puts a magnifying glass on a problem that is related to more vulnerable groups and that constitutional premises are being violated”, said the professor.
Recurrence
The teacher recalled that, two years ago, Enem dealt with the invisibility of women’s care work.
“We need a national care policy. We need to think about this in a more structured way. I think that’s exactly what they want from students.”
Professor Thiago Braga, who teaches in Rio de Janeiro, also contextualizes that, in 2070, almost 40% of the Brazilian population will be elderly.
“It’s an interdisciplinary discussion at school. They all know, for example, that the Brazilian age pyramid is undergoing an important transformation at the moment”, he ponders.
Therefore, the teacher understands that motivating texts can be of fundamental importance for thematic direction. “Remembering that we have a statute for elderly people in Brazil, which dates back to 2003. It could be a good reference for students to use[in their essays].” [nasredações)”
See images of students entering Enem
Repertoires
Writing teacher Rayana Roale, who also works in Rio de Janeiro, considers the topic to be of medium complexity, and remembers that the subject also was covered in the National Teaching Test (PND). She explains that the issue of age permeates all layers of society.
“I believe it won’t be a very difficult topic to address because there is a lot of repertoire and information disseminated about it.”
The teachers believe that another topic that could be brought up is how the “productive society” tends to leave older people aside.
Writing teacher, Michele Marcelino, from São Paulo, considers that the exam was “perfect” in bringing the issue to the debate. “The theme allows us to discuss ageism, the rights of elderly people and the problems they face in contemporary society, such as abandonment and prejudice”.
She adds that the motivation is in line with the significant social changes in the country. “Bringing this topic to light is not only pertinent, but also accessible to students, who should have no difficulty in developing a consistent reflection.”
Important debate
The president of the National Union of Students (UNE), Bianca Borges, argued that the topic provokes debate about the challenges for access to decent work, access to social security and quality public health.
“All these challenges require the development of public policies. This aspect is very important and also brings about social and cultural debate that concerns our understanding of older people.”
She adds that, thanks to the democratization of access to higher education, the profile of students has changed a lot. “We are happy to see people over 60, 70, sometimes 80 years old realizing their dream of being in the classroom alongside younger people. This is very important.”
Conviviality and respect
Earlier this month, the Brazil Agency published the story of three doctors experts who, over 80 years old, are still active, overcoming prejudices. In the same special series, the report heard experts who pointed out the coexistence between generations as a recipe for success against ageism.
In June last year, to mark LGBTQIA+ pride month, the Brazil Agency debated the need for public policies, specialized healthcare and respect for diversity in aging of this population.
