To be shocked at the ageism on here tonight

[drudgetrudy]

AIBU to be shocked at the terms used to refer to older people tonight.
We've had "old duffers", "old biddies" "old dears with nothing better to do" and this isn't a TAAT-its been on more than one thread.

If any other group were referred to in generalised and negative terms like this people would be going nuts.
People are people and come in many varieties over all age ranges.
Seriously pissed off tonight.

My sons certainly thought 25yrs was old at one time. Now they realise it isn't! It doesn't bother me because the consolation is, that unless you are dead, you are going to be 50 yrs one day and find out what it is like.

You claim she wasn't being 'goady' yet you also state you don't know what 'goady means? Alrighty then.

I didn't suggest I did, and don't accuse me of bullying please. You don't seem to have understood the issue of endemic ageism. That is my opinion and I'm perfectly entitled to express that and suggest that some of the points raised have passed you by.

Catlady to be honest I'm not really sure what you're on about.

Describing somebody as 'old' should not be a problem. What is offensive is using the word as an insult. Does this really need explaining?

Describing somebody as 'old' should not be a problem. What is offensive is using the word as an insult. Does this really need explaining?

Sorry for double post. But maybe it does need to be said twice.

Interesting that older people on this thread all seem to understand exactly what the issue is, but others are having difficulty even seeing that there is a problem. Perhaps that is also to do with the invisibility ( and hence the invalidity of ideas or opinions) of women over 50?

I disagree. I think there's a problem when age is specified for no reason. We'd pick posters up on giving a person's race/colour/ethnicity/religion/disability if it had nothing to do with the story.

You know, substitute "loud Muslim parent" for "loud middle-aged parent" and you get the idea.

And of course there's a problem when it's used as an insult, or part of one.

Goady isnt even a word so yes she couldnt of been it. Maybe think before you type your made up words next time....

Sooty, ive seen your other post, you like to run around insulting others with different opinions to you. Two users alone on this post. You have no power here.

The very fact that people can't see the problem shows why it is a problem!

Sooty, ive seen your other post, you like to run around insulting others with different opinions to you

I think the person doing the insulting here is you, quite honestly.

Dido, i understand thats why i said everyone is old to someone. Calling someone else old is really a pointless thing to do because unless you are 1 then everyone has someone who is old to them.
Older people are not invisible to me.

'Maybe think before you type'

Sound advice.

Yh, Mehitabel, it's just the same as when racial prejudice started to be frowned on :( You have to be old to remember that, though!

Goady isnt even a word so yes she couldnt of been it. Maybe think before you type your made up words next time....

Goady is used on a lot of threads on here. For goodness sake are you her friend?

Re the OP, there is a lot of ageism on here, I've noticed it as well. I find it rather rude.

Exactly, squoosh

But I don't think you do understand cat lady. Youve sort of missed the point of the whole of the thread because you think it is justbthecword "old" that is under discussion, whereas it is actually about using age as a deliberate insult and in a specific context. This isn't about a child thinking a teenager is old, but about society's acceptance of ignoring and insulting a whole group of individuals because their perceived worth is reduced in direct proportion to their age.

Yes that's a good point, garlic - 'old' is often used when age is completely irrelevant.

I have kind of got used to age discrimination. As a 56 year old woman I know that when I complete a job application they are not allowed to ask your age but of course but they can ask when you left school. Wo betide anyone refused a job because they are female but who can say the same about age.

Generally on MN no one gets away with sweeping generalisations but I didn't twig until I read this thread how ingrained ageism is on MN, I read those threads and cringe a bit inside, wondering whether I should be here. The fact is I am not a gran. Like many others I had DC late in life a mistake in hindsight should have done it years earlier

It always cheers me up to think that not only will they get old ( as you say, magi the alternative is not good) many will be MILs too!

Too funny! Most of the MN's on here will one day be MIL's AND they will also get old?
That is too cruel!

I never ever understood the point of Gransnet.
Why segregate out a group of women based on some spurious idea of age?
My neighbour became a grandmother at 37.
I just saw they were featuring "expert haircare tips for the over 50s."
Over bloody 50!
Some hairdresser wanking on about how we all have to embrace our inner Helen Mirren.
I am 50 next year and have a 7 year old child.
Patronising bollocks.

I agree - what's the point of Gransnet, but why call this Mumsnet?
My husband said to me: Why do you go on Mumsnet? You don't have young children.
But I'n not a gran either. So where do I belong?

I'm nowhere near 50. I'm in my 30s and I can recognise the horrible ageism on here and in general.

"your bully boy attitude doesnt work with me"

Don't you mean "bully gentleman"?