Some things have stayed the same as a woman and some things have got more difficult. Generally speaking, people listen less if you are a woman, but when you get older you stop being listened to even more. Now I find I have to be more assertive to get heard.

I'm no pushover

There definitely is a difference in the ageing process for men and women, especially if you are single. Being an older woman on your own is particularly difficult; I meet discrimination in many different aspects of my life.

I find young men quite condescending. They seem to think that because I am an older women, I am a push-over. I’m treated as if I am not important or I am stupid. That really does annoy me, especially because I have been managing my own life completely on my own for thirty years.

I feel invisible

I’ve noticed that I have become more invisible in the shops these days. Recently I have found that I can walk by all the makeup counters at a departmental store without being served by anyone. I have found that the shop assistants approach younger women but tend to ignore me. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I don’t want to take care of myself.

My previous job was working with the elderly and disabled as a Community Care Officer in social services. The young people today seem to have less respect for the older generation than they used to when I was younger. The underlying word for me is respect.  I think there needs to be more respect in our society for older people. 

 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of Independent Age.

Tags

Ageism Discrimination