Agism and women.

[malificent7]

As a mature student in healthcare I have made some interesting observations.
Some colleagues ( older women especially) do a double take when they see me and are then quite rude to me or patronising.
Most of the consultants and surgeons are men....even the older ones.
Not many older women consultants / surgeons.
Some of the younger people are lovely but often converse among themselves altough I know nothing about going out, drinking or fashion.
Outside of work I guess its the pressure I feel to keep looking young.

Most nurses are women.
Is agism a problem for women more than men?

That should prob read ageism!

I think it's like a layer cake. Young white woman= sexism. Young black woman= racism. Old white woman= sexism and ageism. Old black woman= sexism, racism and ageism. Old white lesbian woman= sexism, ageism and homophobia. Old black lesbian woman= sexism, ageism, racism and homophobia. Etc.

But instead of the maths being in primary, for each extra characteristic you add some extra hate. So it's sexism + ageism + extra hate= reaction. It's why a lot of hate crimes are not simplistic. It's not JUST homophobia. Or it's not JUST racism. There is misogyny. Maybe some class discrimination. Some ageism. And the extra hate. So in an environment where it's ok to be a woman, and ok to be old, it can still be not ok to be an old woman

I was really pleased my company HR sent out a note on ageism recently - experience shows and is valued.

I dont doubt ageism, particularly against women, but dont understand this:

As a mature student in healthcare I have made some interesting observations. Some colleagues ( older women especially) do a double take when they see me and are then quite rude to me or patronising.

So are you saying that older women working in health care are being rude and patronising to another older woman working in health care?

I'm asking as it seems a bit odd. Is this what they feel about themselves being at work?

I genuinely dont understand! Sorry.