To think 60 is old aged

[Goodtimes80]

And 35 Middle aged?

I can't believe the number of angry people on this thread. How can this subject be anything but light-hearted?

Old is just a label. Accept it, reject it, it doesn't change the truth.

How can this subject be anything but light-hearted?

When the OP is new and has vanished after posting a "contentious" thread...? Just a thought.

My 74 year old MIL takes her elederly neighbour to Tescos every week to do his shopping, he's 94!

My own mum is 69, works 4 days a week in a little shop, because she enjoys it, and is on about 4 different committees.

Neither of these women are old to me.

No way is 60 old aged. If you're 85+ then you are old.

I am nearly 40, as far as I am concerned that is the new 25

I am far from ready to grow up.

It's funny isn't it. All this outrage at being old or middle aged.

Middle aged? Middle aged? How can I be middle aged!! I'm 49 and fit as a fiddle, brain is as sharp as ever, ran three marathons last year.

Yes, but you are still over halfway through your life and therefore middle aged, or possible even past middle age which would make you over the hill peak and on the downward side.

It's ok, why are people so angry about it?

I agree with Fair - there's plenty of spritely 80-odd year olds, even 90 year olds. They're still old! Unless, of course, you think old = pathetic and useless, but that would be ageist wouldn't it?

Older women have been corner pins of societies since forever!

The problem is because 'old aged' and 'middle aged' are commonly used as perjorative terms. 'old age' or 'middle age' less so - it's a bit subtle. I think the two definitions here demonstrate:

1. in middle age: They're a middle-aged couple, with grown-up children.

2. disapproving too careful and not showing the enthusiasm, energy, or style of someone young: What a conventional, middle-aged attitude he has to life!

(1) is fine. (2) is what people object to.

Age is about attitude and behaviour.

Why is it areyou?

Is the OP still napping?

Mehitabel6

Awesome! I'm not being sarcastic. Run marathons, climb mountains, seek out new experiences. I hope you are hiking and exploring in your 80s. The point is that an 83 year old hiking a mountain... is an active 83 year old. Instead of saying "I feel 50", why not change your conception of what it means to be 83?

Look, I'm sorry that people are upset that I insulted baby boomers. But I feel so irritated by what I've seen. I'm 31 but I've seen people discriminate against hiring people who are older - in their 50s for e.g. - for roles and there are lots of prejudices, especially re technological proficiency, that are in play. In a hiring situation, it's so difficult for candidates to push back against this discrimination.

But here we are on mumsnet, lots of older experienced women who could push back and say - no - you don't die at 50. You don't lose your marbles. We're smart, proficient and experienced. We're proud of what we've achieved. There are plenty of younger women here who could be learning something. Instead, it's all "I'm not old like those other codgers" and "don't you dare call me old" and "I'm 30 inside". People are reinforcing prejudices.

Well fine. Don't complain next time they hire an unqualified 25 year old over you because they don't want any "old codgers" then. Oh, and don't dare break a bone or gain some weight. Because running marathons is apparently the only way to remain "young".

My grandmother died earlier this year aged 97 so at 50 I consider myself to be middle aged.

Not my fault if you intend to die at 70, OP.

Agreed, Apple.

As Errol says, 'old aged' and 'middle aged' are commonly used as perjoratives. Why?

Being old, elderly, middle aged, past your youth are not bad things. Experience is a good thing. Perspective is a good thing.

So why dismiss them, look down on them as inferior, and fear them?

I'd consider replying again but as a "fucking stupid baby boomer" I've apparently annoyed Apple by being "all over this thread".
And while I understand your sentiment that apology doesn't cut it for me. It's not an apology for what you said but a criticism of others' perception of what you said.

YABU

So I was born with a genetic condition that means I had bad health. So in the eyes of some on here I am old.

My maternal Grandmother died at 48, and Paternal aged 60. I have a Grandad who cycled miles each day until a year before he died at 87. I could pick my Grandad and fool myself I will be like him, or live in the real world.

I still use the average of middle age ends at 45.

Being old has nothing to do with health, positive outlook how wise you are or running marathons. You have been on the earth the number of years you have. People on average live to only a certain number of years you can fool yourself, you can't fool death.

the way I see it is what would you rather be- old or the alternative. If you are still here it's a privilege. Many didn't get that chance and they died before they'd had a chance to grow old(er) including my df and dm (36 and 66 respectively).

I think 'old' is generally 10yrs older than you happen to be at the time.
You don't feel any different inside so the mirror is often a shock!

I'm 37 and I'm not bloody middle aged, nor is 60 old. Cheek!

I'm 41 and I am middle aged. I am slap bang in the middle of the average life span of a human being in this country. And I'm fine with that. It's not an insult to me to suggest I am getting older. It's not a bad thing that I'm going grey, have wrinkles and my tits have gone south. It's not a criticism of me and it isn't judging me.

It's just so funny, interesting and sad really, to see reactions to the suggestion of ageing. Like the very idea of it being applied to you is the same as calling you a prick faced tit toothed fart arsed wanker.

Now if someone called me that, then I'd say oi, you nasty fucker, don't be so rude.

Middle aged? It's a fact not an attack.

I wonder what it is that makes people see old as an insult or a bad thing to be.

well, I don't wonder. I know. It's the perception of ageing in this country. It needs to change.

OK IMO...

35-45 is middle aged
60 - 70 getting old, slowing down
70 is old
80+ elderly, good innings etc!

I'm a baby boomer who sticks up for my generation but I hope people will look beyond Apple's boomer comment because I think pretty much everything else she has said is bang on.

I really don't give a monkey's tit whether people age gracefully or dsgracefully, I just wish they'd stop denying that it happens. It's embarrassing.

I'm sorry Apple made that horrible generalisation about baby boomers but I agree with a lot of what she says.

Why is everyone so keen to deny being old? -well because they are accepting the general prejudice and stereotyping about older people in our society.
Its only OK to be old if you run marathons and look great.
Well I have a lung disease and won't be running any marathons anytime soon.
I'm in my 60s and therefore older than the majority on here-but younger than people in their 80s and 90s.
I deplore the baby boomer comment but I get what she means about people competing to be "young at heart" as if being old or ill was some sort of character defect or stigma.

You are feeding into stigma by whining about not being old..

I have made a big fuss about ageism on mumsnet-but that is where nasty epithets like old biddy are used and women are deemed to be in the wrong just because they are of the older generation.( comments like "MILs can never mind their own business" etc).