I’ve been working on a course for older women called Femageism, the Curse of the Older Woman. I do love a play on words, don’t you?
Of course, women of all ages have endured sexist attitudes and discriminatory behaviour for ever, but as we get older it gets worse. Ridiculing older people, in particular women, seems to be one of the last unchallenged ‘isms’.
In my course I’m exploring how we can counter for ourselves some of the bias against older women abroad (not actually abroad, of course, I mean in the ether, society, and obviously abroad, too…)
As part of my research I’m trying to look at actual facts as opposed to the myths around being an older woman. Myths which we woman can sometimes buy into our selves because, let’s face it, we’ve also endured a life time of brainwashing.
Femageism Myth – Older Women Are Less Capable
There is a trope that from about 40 onwards our brains start to lose capacity. Therefore, obviously an older worker is not as desirable as someone younger. (Banging my head on a nearby brick wall…) Well, that would be the case if that were true. Which it isn’t.
Current research shows this to be a myth, yet one that persists. The peak years for our brains is estimated to be between 40 and 65 when we really begin to focus on what matters.
Our experience shows.
Ageing does not equal decline.
Older workers have more to offer than younger employees.
As we get older we begin to use more of our brains, both halves to solve a problem. Longitudinal studies of people in their twenties followed up in middle age, show that they used just one half of their brain in problem solving when young. They adapted when older by pulling on both halves of the brain. Our brains are amazing!
I’m quoting research from this woman, Barbra Strauch. If you’ve time, do listen to her on this youtube video:
As Barbara observes in her book The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain, we have:
‘an increased capacity, as we age, to recognise patterns and anticipate situations, to
predict a likely future, and to act appropriately.’
The Secret Life of the Brain
Future Employers and Femageism
Sadly not all employers realise just what a valuable resource they have. And we have absorbed these myths, too. That is confidence sapping, especially of you are walking into an interview already feeling at a disadvantage because of your age. I discuss in another post the power of talking positively and eliminating our spam messages. But here’s one to be going on with. Never, ever let the words ‘In my Day” issue forth from your lips. While you have breath in your body is is still your day!
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Posted on November 1st, 2022 by Jane
