Ageism on MN

[RockingMyFiftiesNot]

Ok so I expect this thread to be deleted because in part it will be a thread about several threads and mainly because MN has been turning a blind eye towards ageist posts.

Today I learned from MN that over 40s are elderly.
I've also learned that over 50s have lived their lives already and need to step aside to allow the younger generation to live.
I hate the daily mail but actually hope one of their journalists pick this up as MN doesn't seem to care

@youvegottenminuteslynn

It does reflect real life though OP.

At 20 did you not think 45 was totally different to how it actually is?

Racist attitudes reflect real life but they don't make it to threads in the same way that ageist ones do.

The question is the way ageist attitudes on MN have been expressed, and the OP's view that they are not taken seriously as offensive.

@echt I personally don't believe that the harm of people displaying ageism is comparable to the harm of people displaying racism. The harm of the latter is greater in society in my opinion and experience.

That may not be the opinion or experience of other people and of course that is their prerogative but when it comes to the level of harm and the frequency, I believe they are not comparable.

@echt If you haven't seen frequent, sustained and obvious racism on MN that's great. It's there, trust me!

Society pretty much venerates youth which makes ageism particularly hurtful for people over 40. Especially for women.

I was "young" when I joined MN almost 20 years ago!

I think ageism has become more prevalent in general. Boomer vs millennial - some people in the two groups often throw insults at each other. And I think there's some resentment from millennials who are struggling to get on the property ladder. And then the media stirs it all up. Not nice at all on either side.

[quote youvegottenminuteslynn]@echt I personally don't believe that the harm of people displaying ageism is comparable to the harm of people displaying racism. The harm of the latter is greater in society in my opinion and experience.

That may not be the opinion or experience of other people and of course that is their prerogative but when it comes to the level of harm and the frequency, I believe they are not comparable. [/quote]
I was not commenting on levels of harm. The poster I was responding to said that ageism reflects RL attitudes. So does racism.

[quote youvegottenminuteslynn]@echt If you haven't seen frequent, sustained and obvious racism on MN that's great. It's there, trust me![/quote]
Mea culpa.

I think the phrase that offends me most is "it's a generational thing". When I and the other older women on here post to point out that we can indeed use technology / have worked and brought and up a family / run our own financial affairs etc etc, we often get told that we are the exceptions. The evidence produced for that is always anecdotal. It is as nonsensical as "all women of forty can / can't..." would be, but nevertheless it must be true because MiL and all her friends are like that.
Such lazy thinking.

@Doona

What's wrong with being elderly? You say it like it's a bad thing, OP

Yes good point and as someone else commented I come across as ageist in saying that, for which I apologise.

[quote youvegottenminuteslynn]@echt I personally don't believe that the harm of people displaying ageism is comparable to the harm of people displaying racism. The harm of the latter is greater in society in my opinion and experience.

That may not be the opinion or experience of other people and of course that is their prerogative but when it comes to the level of harm and the frequency, I believe they are not comparable. [/quote]
Racism is never right. But it's also not right to diminish or disregard the effects of other 'Isms' on people

I think peak for me means willingness to try new things, accommodate new ideas, and consider things from other perspectives. These are things my older relatives really struggle with and they don't have much empathy.

New ideas and generating them is literally my job. And I’m better at it than many of my 20 year old undergraduates. As are colleagues of mine, still working actively in our field, at 75 and 90.

So, you know, be careful about those ageist generalisations.

I personally don't believe that the harm of people displaying ageism is comparable to the harm of people displaying racism.

That’s only the case if you ignore or overlook the neglect or abuse of frail elderly and largely women in our society. If, for example, you don’t consider the wholesale movement of COVID infected elderly patients into COVID-free care homes this time last year, as a version of corporate manslaughter.

Older women are invisible in many ways - your statement demonstrates this.

Ageism! Makes me laugh! So fucking what!

Be angry about racism or sexism.

But ageism! Blimey. I just smile if I see anything derogatory about the "elderly", poor darlings don't realise it comes to us all!!!

When you're young anyone over 30 is OLD!

I'm old so the fuck what, I still wear Doc Martin's and mini skirts! But I'm old enough to have read every single post subject at least 20 times over the years. And silly young posters, will always be silly young posters.

Just roll your eyes and think "That's nice dear"

@AppleDolphin

Ageism! Makes me laugh! So fucking what!

Be angry about racism or sexism.

But ageism! Blimey. I just smile if I see anything derogatory about the "elderly", poor darlings don't realise it comes to us all!!!

When you're young anyone over 30 is OLD!

I'm old so the fuck what, I still wear Doc Martin's and mini skirts! But I'm old enough to have read every single post subject at least 20 times over the years. And silly young posters, will always be silly young posters.

Just roll your eyes and think "That's nice dear"

Ageism can be as damaging to people's self esteem and well-being as much as any other kind of discrimination. That it is minimised in the way you have just done doesn't help. It is as illegal as any other form of discrimination for good reason.

*Ageism! Makes me laugh! So fucking what!

Be angry about racism or sexism.*

Ageism is very damaging. It stops people getting work for a starter. My father was made redundant, although over retirement age. He wants to work but I doubt anyone will hire him.

All the schemes in my place of work to increase sex balance in tech, all focused on younger workers starting out. What about older females who are fully capable? Who supports them?

Hospital care etc

I am 51 and at this age especially as a women it’s hard to find a role - I have been in meetings where people have been talking about dinosaurs that are over 50.... we all have to work longer to reach pension age but ageism is one that is still acceptable. ATS means most CVs get rejected once you are over a certain age no matter how good your skills are

@AppleDolphin

Ageism! Makes me laugh! So fucking what!

Be angry about racism or sexism.

But ageism! Blimey. I just smile if I see anything derogatory about the "elderly", poor darlings don't realise it comes to us all!!!

When you're young anyone over 30 is OLD!

I'm old so the fuck what, I still wear Doc Martin's and mini skirts! But I'm old enough to have read every single post subject at least 20 times over the years. And silly young posters, will always be silly young posters.

Just roll your eyes and think "That's nice dear"

I'm puzzled as to why discrimination against certain groups isn't acceptable, but ageism is ok. It really isn't about skirts and shoes, it's about equal opportunity in work, access to healthcare, access to services, financial equity etc. I don't think any of those are worthy of a 'so fucking what'.

And silly young posters, will always be silly young posters.

You sound nice..

Since I started this thread, there has been another overtly ageist thread and I've noticed other threads which have attracted many ageist comments. MN to be fair has deleted a couple of the worst comments which I have reported.
I'm sad that so many people think ageism is not as hurtful as other forms of discrimination. I think we just need to keep on reporting offensive ageist posts as we would racist or sexist posts and trust MN to do the right thing.

Apparently you become invisible to men and lose your looks once over the age of 30-35, according to a thread on here, ha!

@Celebrityskin88

Apparently you become invisible to men and lose your looks once over the age of 30-35, according to a thread on here, ha!

Interesting given how many over 30s weddings I've been to!