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Original poster

Ageism should be against Talk Guidelines

187 replies

Somethingbland · 30/05/2026 18:16

In the past there has been a lot of disquiet about the blatant ageism on MN.

Today I have been extremely annoyed by a blatantly and unashamedly ageist thread in AIBU about dressing " like an old lady"
I reported the thread and of course was told by MN the thread is allowed to stand because it doesn't contravene Talk guidelines.
But why doesn't it? Why does MN see ageism as perfectly acceptable? It's a total disgrace in my eyes.

I was amongst the first women who were affected by the change in retirement law and was so unable to retire at 60 as had been the norm previously. The discrimination I experienced as an older woman amongst predominantly younger staff was extremely upsetting . To be a figure of fun and contempt because of your age is no joke. And yet MN is apoarently happy to enable such views on this site

OP posts:
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Original poster
Somethingbland · 30/05/2026 19:03

PoppinjayPolly · 30/05/2026 18:56

I actually don’t understand the whole waspi thing, want equality but only one way! Poor you all having to work to mid 60s… it’ll be 75 for me and my generation, if get bloody anything,other than the glow in our hearts knowing have worked for 50 years for no promised state pension, while non contributing people get it and all the gateway benefits! Yay!!

I didn't mind, or wouldn't have minded, working past 60, if the attitude of the predominantly younger workforce had been different. It's being treated as lesser than and being patronised that is the problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
Somethingbland · 30/05/2026 19:00

unsevered67 · 30/05/2026 18:55

I agree op. I reported the thread too. It feels like us older women will just be ignored and undervalued as usual

Exactly. Ignored , undervalued and actually very much stereotyped. We are no longer seen as individuals with brains and opinions.

OP posts:
spendyspend · 30/05/2026 18:59

Is it ageist to say you don’t want to dress like a 60 year old when you’re in your 20s?

60andcounting · 30/05/2026 18:59

Surely the old woman thread wasn't ageism?

Everyone is offended about something nowadays. Or is that everyoneism?

LadyDancealot · 30/05/2026 18:58

A check I use is to replace the word ‘old’ with, for instance, black, Muslim, Pakistani etc then see how nice and reasonable it sounds. Not quite so light-hearted then, is it? I agree, OP; often (particularly women’s) ages are given in rants e.g the old couple next door always park over my driveway - their age is irrelevant and thus is being used in a derogatory manner no other sector would accept.

Original poster
Somethingbland · 30/05/2026 18:57

Notsosweetcaroline · 30/05/2026 18:50

Try to calm down thr thread isn’t ageist for goodness sake. Mumsnet is right,

I beg to disagree : assuming that all old women dress in a certain way and that way is considered to be appalling is very much ageist.
Please explain why you state it isnt.
And btw you forgot when you told me to calm down to add "dear" .

OP posts:
Blimms · 30/05/2026 18:57

Notsosweetcaroline · 30/05/2026 18:50

Try to calm down thr thread isn’t ageist for goodness sake. Mumsnet is right,

It was ageist. In much the same way as telling women to calm down is also problematic.

PoppinjayPolly · 30/05/2026 18:56

I actually don’t understand the whole waspi thing, want equality but only one way! Poor you all having to work to mid 60s… it’ll be 75 for me and my generation, if get bloody anything,other than the glow in our hearts knowing have worked for 50 years for no promised state pension, while non contributing people get it and all the gateway benefits! Yay!!

unsevered67 · 30/05/2026 18:55

I agree op. I reported the thread too. It feels like us older women will just be ignored and undervalued as usual

Cactusali · 30/05/2026 18:54

Completely agree OP. Ageism is absolutely rife on Mumsnet and is rarely called out.

BIWI · 30/05/2026 18:52

It absolutely was ageist. The term 'old lady' was being used to imply something poor/inferior/unstylish etc.

Ageism is supposed to be against Talk Guidelines but, IME, it can be very hard to get MHQ to agree with reports!

Notsosweetcaroline · 30/05/2026 18:50

Try to calm down thr thread isn’t ageist for goodness sake. Mumsnet is right,