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Kids dressing up as older people is harmless fun, right? No, it’s ageist, whatever Bluey says

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-mitchell-1143692">Lisa Mitchell</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p>A child once approached me, hunched over, carrying a vacuum cleaner like a walking stick. In a wobbly voice, he asked: "Do you want to play grannies?"</p> <p>The idea came from the children’s TV show Bluey, which <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ABCKidsCommunity/videos/bluey-grannies/468144817266668/">has</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ABCKidsCommunity/videos/new-bluey-episodes-the-grannies-are-back-abc-kids/371436135028190/">episodes</a>, <a href="https://www.bluey.tv/products/grannies-book/">a book</a>, <a href="https://www.discountmags.com/magazine/bluey-september-1-2023-digital">magazine</a> editions and an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBlueyTV/videos/grannies-filter-bluey/5728362390510269/">image filter</a> about dressing up as “grannies”.</p> <p>Children are also dressing up as 100-year-olds to mark their first “100 days of school”, an idea <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/old-people-s-home-for-five-year-olds-prep-students-don-senior-citizen-attire-20230801-p5dszb.html">gaining popularity</a> <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/education/cardigans-wigs-and-canes-why-kindy-students-are-dressing-up-as-100-year-olds-20230720-p5dpu8.html">in Australia</a>.</p> <p>Is this all just harmless fun?</p> <h2>How stereotypes take hold</h2> <p>When I look at the older people in my life, or the patients I see as a geriatrician, I cannot imagine how to suck out the individual to formulate a “look”.</p> <p>But Google “older person dress-ups” and you will find <a href="https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/dress-up-like-youre-100-years-old-100thdayofschool--15199717464361356/">Pinterests</a> and <a href="https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Up-Like-an-Old-Person#:%7E:text=Dress%20in%20comfortable%2C%20loose%2Dfitting,older%20people%20may%20wear%20include%3A&amp;text=Oversized%20sweatshirts">Wikihow pages</a> doing just that.</p> <p>Waistcoats, walking sticks, glasses and hunched backs are the key. If you’re a “granny”, don’t forget a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialBlueyTV/videos/games-you-can-play-at-home-grannies-bluey/645964056227345/">shawl and tinned beans</a>. You can buy “old lady” <a href="https://www.spotlightstores.com/party/costumes-and-accessories/costume-accessories/wigs-hair-accessories/wigs/spartys-kids-old-lady-wig-with-curlers/80578132?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw0vWnBhC6ARIsAJpJM6emZHoNxO72pUa80Wc8ihYYiq3AohZ_w72jmuWBBDlficdCMy_rsK8aAj47EALw_wcB">wigs</a> or an “old man” <a href="https://www.bigw.com.au/product/facial-hair-set-old-man-3-pieces/p/305026">moustache and bushy eyebrows</a>.</p> <p>This depiction of how older people look and behave is a stereotype. And if dressing up as an older person is an example, such stereotypes are all around us.</p> <h2>What’s the harm?</h2> <p>There is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/hypa.12170">some debate</a> about whether stereotyping is intrinsically wrong, and if it is, why. But there is plenty of research about the harms of <em>age</em> stereotypes or ageism. That’s harm to current older people and harm to future older people.</p> <p>The World Health Organization <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">defines ageism</a> as: "the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or ourselves based on age."</p> <p>Ageism <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">contributes to</a> social isolation, reduced health and life expectancy and costs economies <a href="https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/60/1/174/5166947">billions of dollars</a> globally.</p> <p>When it comes to health, the impact of negative stereotypes and beliefs about ageing may be even <a href="https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/60/1/174/5166947">more harmful</a> than the discrimination itself.</p> <p>In laboratory studies, older people perform <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4360754/">worse</a> than expected on tasks such as memory or thinking after being shown negative stereotypes about ageing. This may be due to a “<a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/stereotype-threat.html">stereotype threat</a>”. This is when a person’s performance is impaired because they are worried about confirming a negative stereotype about the group they belong to. In other words, they perform less well because they’re worried about acting “old”.</p> <p>Another theory is “stereotype embodiment”. This is where people absorb negative stereotypes throughout their life and come to believe decline is an inevitable consequence of ageing. This leads to biological, psychological and physiological changes that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2927354/">create</a> a self-fulfilling prophecy.</p> <p>I have seen this in my clinic with people who do well, until they realise they’re an older person – a birthday, a fall, a revelation when they look in the mirror. Then, they stop going out, stop exercising, stop seeing their friends.</p> <p>Evidence for “stereotype embodiment” comes from studies that show people with more negative views about ageing are more likely to have higher levels of stress hormones (such as cortisol and C-reactive protein) and are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7182003/">less likely</a> to engage in health behaviours, such as exercising and eating healthy foods.</p> <p>Younger adults with negative views about ageing are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2666386/">more likely</a> to have a heart attack up to about 40 years later. People with the most negative attitudes towards ageing have a lower life expectancy by as much as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12150226/">7.5 years</a>.</p> <p>Children are particularly susceptible to absorbing stereotypes, a process <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-09385-010">that starts</a> in early childhood.</p> <h2>Ageism is all around us</h2> <p><a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">One in two people</a> have ageist views, so tackling ageism is complicated given it is socially acceptable and normalised.</p> <p>Think of all the birthday cards and jokes about ageing or phrases like “geezer” and “old duck”. Assuming a person (including yourself) is “too old” for something. Older people say it is harder to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-06/senior-job-seekers-struggle-to-get-a-foot-in-the-door/102563144">find work</a> and they face discrimination in <a href="https://www.hcnsw.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Ageism-in-Health-Care_final.pdf">health care</a>.</p> <h2>How can we reduce ageism?</h2> <p>We can reduce ageism through laws, policies and education. But we can also reduce it via <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/ageism#tab=tab_1">intergenerational contact</a>, where older people and younger people come together. This helps break down the segregation that allows stereotypes to fester. Think of the TV series <a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/old-people-s-home-for-4-year-olds">Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds</a> or the follow-up <a href="https://iview.abc.net.au/show/old-people-s-home-for-teenagers">Old People’s Home for Teenagers</a>. More simply, children can hang out with their older relatives, neighbours and friends.</p> <p>We can also challenge a negative view of ageing. What if we allowed kids to imagine their lives as grandparents and 100-year-olds as freely as they view their current selves? What would be the harm in that?<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212607/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-mitchell-1143692"><em>Lisa Mitchell</em></a><em>, Geriatrician working in clinical practice. PhD Candidate at The University of Melbourne studying ethics and ageism in health care. Affiliate lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/kids-dressing-up-as-older-people-is-harmless-fun-right-no-its-ageist-whatever-bluey-says-212607">original article</a>.</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Maccas aren’t lovin’ the over 60s

<p dir="ltr">A McDonald’s in Auckland Central has landed itself in hot water after posting a job ad that wanted nothing to do with the over 60 workforce. </p> <p dir="ltr">The post, shared to the establishment’s Facebook page and since removed, sought new staff to cover the 10pm to 6am ‘graveyard’ shift. The usual benefits and various position criteria were listed, but it was one line at the bottom that caught the attention - and ire - of the masses.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Any age from 16 to 60,” the listing read.</p> <p dir="ltr">Feedback came fast and furious, with many outraged by the blatant ageism the fast food giant was peddling. And while McDonald’s tried to pass it off as the fault of a franchisee, the store’s manager instead said that their head office was at fault.</p> <p dir="ltr">Social media users were vocal about what they thought of the ad, and it wasn’t long before legal experts and union representatives got involved in the ongoing uproar - and even the big wigs over at McDonald’s. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve been made aware that a job ad by one of our franchisees has created some debate on social media like Reddit, as it references an age range of 16-60,” company spokesperson Simon Kenny said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The reference in the copy was intended to illustrate that people of all ages are welcome. We’ve asked the franchisee to update the copy to avoid any potential confusion.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As Joe Carolan from New Zealand’s Unite Union told the <em>New Zealand Herald</em>, “contrary to the myth that most McDonald’s jobs are [ideal for] part-time students, improvements made by the union throughout the years have seen many workers stay in these jobs into their 50s. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Older workers bring experience, stability and maturity to a workplace and we call on McDonald's to end this discriminatory ageism.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Employment law expert Max Whitehead added that the pay - $22.80 per hour - combined with the age restrictions, were a “blatant” breach of the Human Rights Act. </p> <p dir="ltr">And for those who thought the line had just been an ill-advised marketing move, Whitehead noted “if it really is to get a catchy cliche going, it’s a stupid thing to do.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Whitehead’s fellow expert, Professor Bill Hodge, had more to say on the matter of ageism too, noting that The Human Rights Act actually bans discrimination against people over the age of 60, though he saw no issue with the teenage half of the equation. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We discriminate against people 14 or 15 all the time and it’s justifiable to say ‘no, you can’t drive a car, you can’t leave school’,” he said. “On the face of it I see no obvious requirement that would exclude people over 60.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As a spokesperson for the Humans Right Campaign informed the <em>New Zealand Herald</em>, The Human Rights Act 1993 had rendered it unlawful for people to be treated differently for their age during the employment process. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It is unlawful to discriminate against employees, job applicants, voluntary workers, people seeking work through an employment agency and contract workers because of age,” the spokesperson explained. “The only exception is where, for reasons of authenticity, being of a particular age is a genuine occupational qualification for the position or employment.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Shutterstock, Facebook</em></p>

Money & Banking

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“Timeless beauty” Vera Wang shares the secrets to her success

<p>When iconic fashion designer Vera Wang wowed fans with a post-NEA Awards picture, she received hundreds of comments praising her youthful complexion and “timeless beauty”. </p> <p>“Post NEA Award celebration dinner,” Vera captioned the image, which saw her sitting next to fellow designer Keith Lissner at the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) Awards, her arm draped across his shoulders. “Thank you Keith Lissner and Paul Vinci for hosting!!!!!!” </p> <p>“You are amazing,” came the immediate response, one soon echoed throughout the entire comments section. “You never age, what is your secret?”</p> <p>“Ageing backwards. The both of you,” wrote one fan. </p> <p>“Timeless beauty,” declared another, followed by a series of red hearts, with two more added by Vera in response. </p> <p>“You are a vampire,” one decided, “you just don't age.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrIIqWpOhGb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrIIqWpOhGb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Vera Wang (@verawang)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And while Vera is no stranger to such feedback, the 73-year-old had recently informed <em>Elle</em> magazine that while she’s “very flattered” that people think she’s ageing well, she’d never set out with that as her goal in life.</p> <p>“I drink vodka, I sleep, I avoid the sun,” she added. “But I like to work. I don’t want to be pigeonholed.”</p> <p>As she later noted, “I’m confronted with a bit of a moment now where so much has been said about my ageing. I just hope that it doesn’t supersede my work. It brings up the issue of ageism, and I don’t want to be pigeonholed. We pigeonhole women that are pregnant, small, tall, athletic … authenticity means so much to me … I was never really obsessed with ageing.”</p> <p>She explained that while she can’t speak on behalf of the next generations, “things that exist now did not exist 50 or 60 years ago. There was no such thing as Botox. I’ve always focused on work. Work was my lifeline that kept me feeling relevant and challenged me over the years. I think the mind is more powerful than one could ever understand.”</p> <p>While work and productivity are held in high regard by the designer, she has also spoken up about the other main factors in her routine - most importantly, sleep. As Vera once told the <em>BBC</em>, "I’ve got to be really honest, one of them is sleep." </p> <p>"I value having a vodka cocktail at the end of the day,” she went on to share. “Because it helps me to transition from a very intense work schedule to a bit of a private life."</p> <p>In the same interview, she reiterated the point that she “never thought about youth” during her years in the fashion industry, putting it down to her daily encounters with “the most beautiful women in the world”. </p> <p>"Because of that, I more envision them as my muses,” she explained, before admitting that it was perhaps a means of “dealing with ageing” that could be considered productive, unlike so many others saturating the market. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Body

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Madonna takes aim at "ageist" critics

<p>Madonna has spoken out against wide-spread criticism of her appearance after presenting at the Grammy Awards.</p> <p>The 64-year-old musician introduced Sam Smith and Kim Petras' performance of their hit song <em>Unholy</em> at the annual music award ceremony, but rather than focus on the "history making" performance, many were quick to comment on Madonna's appearance. </p> <p>Following her moment on the stage, Madonna's social media was flooded with comments calling her scary, unrecognisable and denouncing her supposed "obsession with plastic surgery", despite the singer never confirming having cosmetic enhancements.</p> <p>Hitting back at online trolls, Madonna took to Instagram to condemn the "ageism and misogyny" of her critics, while refusing to apologise for her "creative choices".</p> <p>In a lengthy post, she wrote, "Instead of focusing on what I said in my speech which was about giving thanks for the fearlessness of artists like Sam and Kim - Many people chose to only talk about close-up photos of me taken with a long lens camera By a press photographer that Would distort anyone’s face!!"</p> <p>"Once again I am caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny that permeates the world we live in. A world that refuses to celebrate women past the age of 45, and feels the need to punish her if she continues to be strong willed, hard-working and adventurous."</p> <p>She continued, "I have never apologised for any of the creative choices I have made nor the way that I look or dress and I’m not going to start. I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career but I understand that this is all a test and I am happy to do the trailblazing so that all the women behind me can have an easier time in the years to come."</p> <p>She concluded the post by saying, "I look forward to many more years of subversive behaviour, pushing boundaries, standing up to the patriarchy, and most of all enjoying my life."</p> <p>While her post was flooded with support from her celebrity friends, she also welcomed a new wave of criticism with many commenters thinking her anger was misdirected. </p> <p>One person said, "Ok but there's an elephant in the room here - This is not ageism - it is plastic surgery and filler! How is this ageism when YOU did all this to yourself in order to prevent looking old? Give yourself a break from those fillers and stop blaming ageism for what you choose to do to yourself."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Restaurant owner praised for hiring policy that targets "oldies"

<p dir="ltr">Like many in the hospitality business, Barry Iddles was struggling to find staff to fill shifts at his restaurant 360Q in Queenscliff when he was struck by inspiration.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 67-year-old decided to put the call out to “oldies”, adding an invitation to retirees to come and work at his waterfront venue on the back of his winter postcards.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We sent out 42,000,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr"> “I put, ‘We’re recruiting – juniors, come and learn the skills of hospitality. Millennials, come and show us what you can do. And seniors and retirees, come back to the workforce for one or two shifts per week.’</p> <p dir="ltr">“I sent it out by mail and off we went. We had a great response.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He stressed that potential employees didn’t need a resume or hospitality experience and could just come in for a chat.</p> <p dir="ltr">Now, Iddles has 12 staff working for him aged over 50, including former nurses and healthcare workers, a mechanic, small business owner and florist.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We've got two 74-year-olds, a 70-year-old, and then we've got [people aged] 57, 60, 64, 66 and 67," Mr Iddles said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ee34f340-7fff-b24e-62b4-35aa29306b6d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">"There is a labour shortage and a labour crisis, [but] I don't have one. I have five too many staff at the moment. And I could actually open another venue to keep them all gainfully employed."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgNZSgSvoqP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgNZSgSvoqP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Barry Iddles (@barryiddles)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Iddles said most of his older staff at the 150-seat restaurant, which also includes outdoor dining and an upstairs function venue, work during functions and that there has been a major benefit to both older and junior workers working alongside each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s amazing, the interaction is absolutely incredible,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s good for their life skills – the oldest have got a great work ethic.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Since his story was shared by the <em><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-15/defying-ageism-older-workers-fill-gaps-in-workforce/101651806" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a></em> on Tuesday, Iddles said his phone has been ringing non-stop and his hiring practice went viral.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everyone wants to talk about hiring old people,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of Iddles’ employees, 67-year-old Kenton Savage, told the <em>ABC </em>he wanted to retire after selling his distribution business - but his plans went awry when it went bankrupt during the pandemic.</p> <p dir="ltr">Without super and amidst rising living costs, Savage and his wife had no choice but to find jobs.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The pension just didn't pay enough. So I looked around for a job and Barry was hiring," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I think it just keeps me fit and healthy and happy. Being able to get out and about, it's really been good for me," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">73-year-old Susan Borton, another employee, said she applied to boost her confidence and contribute.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Covid made a lot of people depressed,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And I know amongst the older ones, we’re all saying we’re actually finding it quite difficult to get out and about again. [Working] makes me feel better. And I love putting in, I love contributing.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Council for Older Australians chief executive Ian Yates praised Iddles for his hiring practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Many older people will have experienced a lot of knock backs and not being taken seriously as prospective employees,” he told the <em>ABC</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The labour market is so tight, that employers are being forced to look at channels and groups that they wouldn’t normally look at, including older Australians.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/queenscliff-restaurant-360q-sees-huge-response-after-inviting-oldies-to-come-and-work/news-story/7e08f752c17bc86dd109581ef602b4c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>, Iddles said others should adopt his policy too, and that it applies to both young and old.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Age discrimination can be quite bad, at both ends of the spectrum,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If I’ve got a 15-year-old coming for a job I’ll give them a job immediately. Too many people go, you’ve got no experience. But they actually want to work.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a great mix to have [employees ranging] from 15 to 75.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-83c437d2-7fff-df48-0cde-4b6e9ca845b2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Giving out flowers on TikTok: is this a ‘random act of kindness’ or just benevolent ageism?

<p>In June, 22-year-old Harrison Pawluk filmed himself staging a “random act of kindness”, giving a bunch of flowers to an older woman sitting alone in a Melbourne food court.</p> <p>His <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lifeofharrison/video/7111321730773175553?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> went viral on TikTok, attracting 57 million views within a week.</p> <p>Comments on the post included, “when she started crying, I couldn’t hold it back” and “wow that was so beautiful I swear I would cry”.</p> <p>Acts of kindness can boost <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103117303451" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wellbeing</a> for the giver, the recipient, and even the viewers of selfless acts. Social media influencers have found ways to commodify this by presenting them as random and unexpected.</p> <div data-id="17"> </div> <p>But this gesture was interpreted by Maree, the woman targeted for the video, as an artificially staged production that left her feeling “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-14/tiktok-video-maree-melbourne-flowers/101228418" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dehumanised</a>” and like “clickbait” for tabloid fodder.</p> <p>In the media, individuals aged over 60 are often depicted as a homogeneous group of elderly people who lack personality, social identity or individuality.</p> <p>It’s not just a “random act of kindness”. Pawluk’s actions – and some of the media coverage – unearths a much bigger problem of “benevolent ageism”.</p> <h2>What is benevolent ageism?</h2> <p>When we talk about ageism, people often think of overt acts such as older people being explicitly told they are dressed “<a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/louise-di-francesco-ageism-at-work-200031282.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inappropriately</a>” for their age, or an employer refusing to hire someone for a job because of their age.</p> <p>But not all ageism is overt. “<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2793359" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Everyday ageism</a>” is a more subtle yet pervasive component that informs our impressions of older people. This could be assumptions about what older people’s preferences are because of their age group, or that by a certain age most people should be “slowing down”.</p> <p>Benevolent ageism is where these every day biases manifest in the belief that older people need special “help” or “support”.</p> <p>Benevolent ageism manifests in the way people sometimes use pet names or <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ageism#ageism-in-healthcare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">baby talk</a> to address older people; an emphasis on <a href="https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00405.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pitying</a> people above a certain age; or the importance placed on “<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.587911/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protecting</a>” older people during the COVID pandemic.</p> <p>Commenters on Pawluk’s video said “[the flowers] made her feel so good and it looks like she might have needed it”, “she is so cute” and “I miss my grandma!”.</p> <p>Benevolent ageism leads to false assumptions or inaccurate and limiting stereotypes about older people being “warm but not competent” and lacking individuality.</p> <p>In Pawluk’s video, Maree is framed as being sad and alone. Speaking to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-14/tiktok-video-maree-melbourne-flowers/101228418" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC Radio</a>, Maree expressed frustration at being presented as “the elderly woman who drank a takeaway cup of coffee”.</p> <p>“It’s the patronising assumption that women, especially older women, will be thrilled by some random stranger giving them flowers,” she told the ABC.</p> <h2>Our implicit biases</h2> <p>Benevolent ageism is hiding in plain sight.</p> <p>Our own ageist biases can show up in everyday judgements we make about people’s capacity to work, how they dress or whether they are in need of assistance or attention because of their age.</p> <p>Ageist characterisations are culturally reinforced by media portrayals, and have the effect of categorising “older people” – <a href="https://spssi.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/josi.12162" target="_blank" rel="noopener">particularly women</a> – as being lonely and in need of pity.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/18-03-2021-ageism-is-a-global-challenge-un" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent report</a> from the World Health Organization shows one in every two people shows moderate to high levels of ageist attitudes, with their definition of ageism encompassing stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.</p> <p>The Australian Human Rights Commission found that <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/new-research-finds-ageism-most-accepted-form-prejudice-australia-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">90% of Australians</a> agree that ageism exists in Australia.</p> <p>Age discrimination commissioner Kay Patterson calls ageism “the least understood form of discriminatory prejudice” and “more pervasive and socially accepted than sexism and racism”.</p> <p>Internalised ageism, in which we unconsciously hold these own ageist attitudes against ourselves, negatively impacts our functional health as we age and can even <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009174350400115X" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shorten our own lifespan</a>.</p> <h2>Stereotypes facing older women</h2> <p>These TikTok random acts of kindness can have the unfortunate overtone of the <a href="https://www.britishgerontology.org/content/22875/Live/pdf/Generations_Review%2025%202%20July%202015.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">twin prejudices</a> of ageism and sexism. Older women targeted in this way can be left feeling like their identity is reduced to being just an older lady in need of pity.</p> <p>When interviewed by The Project, Pawluk <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/aussie-tiktok-star-sorry-but-wont-stop-controversial-acts-of-kindness/news-story/347c18457d80a961e27c6b31f42b2507" target="_blank" rel="noopener">apologised</a> to Maree. He claims he does not target people based on their age.</p> <p>But the assumptions made about Maree – and other women to whom he has offered flowers – are embedded in age-old stereotypes about older women: that they are sad or lonely, and in need of support.</p> <p>There is nothing wrong with greeting another person regardless of their age. But the framing of this TikTok video is a clear example of ageist stereotypes manifesting as a show of concern.</p> <p>Much of the news reporting and comments surrounding the event were also examples of everyday ageism. The Daily Mail <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10967869/Melbourne-TikToker-Harrison-Pawluk-gives-woman-bunch-flowers.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">described the video</a> as a “heartwarming moment [where] a total stranger gives an elderly woman a bunch of flowers before she bursts into tears”.</p> <p>Although likely not the initial intention of the gesture, this social media craze of capturing supposed “random acts of kindness” can have the undesired effect of diminishing the perceived social value of the target to whom the protagonist is trying to show kindness.</p> <p>We should take this as a moment to pause and address our own unconscious biases and our subtle forms of everyday ageism of the benevolent kind.</p> <p><em><strong>This article originally appeared on The Conversation.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Five celebrities embracing their grey hair

<p dir="ltr">More celebrities are staying away from the hair dye and embracing their natural colour in a move that is a particularly big deal for famous (and not so famous) women.</p> <p dir="ltr">A sign of ageing adopted by silver foxes like George Clooney and Pierce Brosnan, it hasn’t been one that applies to celebrity women for a long time - until now that is.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In the past, we have seen trends dominate fashion such as the perm era, the highlight decade, balayage, vivid colours and tonal work,” Robert Eaton, the technical director of Wella Professionals, told <em><a href="https://www.glamour.com/gallery/celebrities-gray-hair" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glamour</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now there is a move toward natural hair enhancement, and grey blending (a style that uses natural greys as highlights) is the new movement in hair colour.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Here are five celebrities that have proudly embraced their silvery locks to take inspiration from.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8bdb59a5-7fff-399d-7520-013450721032"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Andie McDowell</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/andie-macdowell.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Groundhog Day</em> star revealed how she embraced her “true colour” after she wasn’t able to touch up her roots during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I went natural and embraced my true colour,” she captioned a behind-the-scenes <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLuUNV_rwWL/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">photo</a> from a photoshoot. “I want to be proud of where I am in my life! I don’t want to be ashamed of my age.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She even went against the advice of her managers, sharing with <em><a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/why-andie-macdowell-decided-to-go-gray-even-though-her-managers-said-it-wasnt-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Glamour</a></em> how they said ‘it’s not time’ for her to go grey.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And I said, ‘I think you’re wrong, and I’m going to be more powerful if I embrace where I am right now’,” she told the publication.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f96a0185-7fff-64d4-ef1a-823db1f6e947"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Salma Hayek</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/salma-hayek.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Salma Hayek has become known for sharing her makeup-free selfies on social media, and has extended that openness to her hair colour.</p> <p dir="ltr">Notable shots of her greys come from 2020, after she shared a snap of her hair <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBgaLbuD1iU/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">before and after</a> touching her roots. Later that same year, she shared another <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFefv3pHT-J/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">photo</a> of her “white hair of wisdom”, which has reappeared in photos of her on-and-off ever since.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9d855ad-7fff-bab1-56b7-0d15ad41eb10"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Jane Fonda</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/jane-fonda.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">After debuting a silver look at the <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/jane-fonda-gray-hair-oscars-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 Oscars</a>, Jane Fonda spoke out how she felt “so happy” when she decided to go grey the following year.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Enough already with so much time wasted, so much money spent, so many chemicals - I’m through with that,” she said during <a href="https://www.ellentube.com/video/jane-fonda-on-why-older-women-are-braver.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview</a> with Ellen Degeneres.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 84-year-old revealed she had begun to go grey at 82 and that her Oscars look - which took her stylist seven hours to achieve - was inspired by her salt-and-pepper roots.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5c00434e-7fff-0093-8840-1aea70965cf0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Sarah Jessica Parker</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/sarah-jessica-parker.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Sex and the City</em> star made waves by appearing on the cover of <em><a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/sarah-jessica-parker-cover-december-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vogue</a></em> with grey in her hair and spoke to the publication about the ageism women face in Hollywood.</p> <p dir="ltr">“‘Grey hair, grey hair, grey hair. Does she have grey hair?’ I don’t know what to tell you people,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s almost as if they almost enjoy us being painted by who we are today, whether we choose to age naturally and not look perfect, or whether you do something if that makes you feel better.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-791d9004-7fff-8c03-1b96-b95bdca31d3a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dawn French</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/dawn-french.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @dawnrfrench (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Dawn French first <a href="https://nz.news.yahoo.com/dawn-french-dramatic-hair-makeover-091047038.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">debuted</a> her greys in June 2021 in a dramatic change from her classic <em>Vicar of Dibley</em>-esque brunette bob.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 64-year-old <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQN5UKKrNu6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared</a> that she was changing her hair colour to “happily welcome the grey”, and has continued to update fans on social media with her progress since.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4f045dc0-7fff-c8cf-ad1e-21c50c200b73"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><em>Images: Getty Images / @salmahayek (Instagram)</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Julianne Moore calls for “sexist” term to be scrapped

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Actress Julianne Moore is questioning how women are viewed and talked about as they age, calling for one particular term to be dropped completely.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moore, who turned 60 in December, criticised those who use the phrase “ageing gracefully” in the latest issue of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">As If</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> magazine, according to </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">People</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ03jz0DeEw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ03jz0DeEw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Julianne Moore (@juliannemoore)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">he described the term, especially when used while speaking about women, as “totally sexist”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There’s so much judgement inherent in the term ‘ageing gracefully’,” Moore told the publication.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Is there an ungraceful way to age? We don’t have an option of course. No one has an option about ageing, so it’s not a positive or negative thing, it just is,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moore questioned the perception that women in particular had some kind of influence over, so they could opt in or out of doing it “gracefully”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s part of the human condition, so why are we always talking about it as if it is something that we have control over?” she asked.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stressing the value of “inner growth”, Moore argued that people should be more concerned with how they continue to evolve as they age instead.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are given a narrative as children that we keep growing through school, maybe go to college then, after school is finished, the idea of growth is done … But we have all this life left to live,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“How do we continue to challenge ourselves, to interest ourselves, learn new things, be more helpful to other people, be the person that your friends and family need or want? How do we continue to evolve? How do we navigate life to have even deeper experiences?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moore also endorsed a comment Helen Mirren made last year during an interview for O, The Oprah Magazine, where she hit back against the phrase “anti-ageing”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Ageing is a requirement of life: You either grow old or die young,” Mirren said during the interview.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I take great issue with the term, actually. You can’t avoid ageing. The way I see it, you have two choices in life: You can either get older, or die,” the 75-year-old said at the time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And I want to continue to see what life has in store. I think about Kurt Cobain and all that he missed. I mean, how sad is it that he never knew about GPS.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Julianne Moore / Instagram</span></em></p>

Legal

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Helen Mirren talks ageism in Hollywood

<p>Ageism in the media is far from a new concept. With many actresses speaking up about the unfair advantage those who are younger receive when it comes to obtaining coveted roles and opportunities. But while the topic is important to touch on, us mere mortals may find it hard to relate to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.</p> <p>It’s been a point of discussion for a few years now, with starlets coming out and voicing their concerns over pay disparities compared to their male counterparts. And while it’s unfair, human nature is a fickle thing, where we tend to sympathise with those we can relate to.</p> <p>Actress and legend, Helen Mirren is known to be intelligent and eloquent, so when she raised her voice against the disadvantage’s women face on and off screen, you know that her argument would raise some valid points.</p> <p>Speaking to <em><a href="https://variety.com/2016/film/news/helen-mirren-fast-8-women-hollywod-pay-gap-1201884251/">Variety</a></em> magazine for their “<em>Power of Women</em>” issue, the 73-year-old said that ageism in Hollywood isn’t just about what happens on-screen, but also what happens when the cameras aren’t rolling.</p> <p>When <em>The Queen</em> star was asked about how she views the changing landscape of women in media, she said: “I have witnessed such a huge change. The biggest change for me, and the best change, is to see women on the set, in the crew. It wasn’t that long ago I saw my first female electrician. And to me, that’s really exciting. That’s a really big change, because that was such a macho, male world.”</p> <p>Women have made a huge impact on the film industry, but despite their contribution, they are some of the most underrepresented. According to the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film (2015-16), only 9% of directors were women at the time of the study.</p> <p>That percentage is exactly the same figure as 1998.</p> <p>Here’s to hoping that number increases in the coming years.</p> <p>Do you agree with Helen Mirren’s sentiments? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Movies

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Is ageism affecting you?

<p><em><strong>Barbara Binland is the pen name of a senior, Julie Grenness, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is a poet, writer, and part-time English and Maths tutor, with over 40 years of experience. Her many books are available on Amazon and Kindle.</strong></em></p> <p>Yah, we made it! We got old! Now we are ageing in the millennial world, which we have played a part in creating.</p> <p>Is ageism affecting you? Ageism is simply discrimination against older people in the workforce, in the media, in advertising, and in the social scene.</p> <p>One of the major areas where ageism is evident, is in the employment of older workers. Older workers can provide years of experience, life skills, and be great mentors to younger workers. But nearly a third of the officially unemployed workers are aged 45-65 years old. If someone loses their job at this age, they may never gain more than a casual, part-time position. These are the vital years pre-retirement, when employees build up savings and superannuation for their golden years.</p> <p>Basically, many employers do discriminate against hiring older workers from their candidates. Some unemployed older worker can retrain, but may battle an overlooked prejudice, the ageism of the potential employer. These retrained workers may never gain employment. If they do, they may have only 5-10 years of working life remaining. Many employers prefer to hire someone younger.</p> <p>Ageism is also evident in the media. For instance, no weather girl on the television is an old, grey, fat woman. Weather girls are anorexic, beautiful, blonde bimbos who can barely read an autocue. Maybe old, fat, grey women don’t want to be weather girls. That’s okay. Maybe they do, and the employers in television land hire young, attractive babes. That is ageism.</p> <p>On the other hand, ageism can factor in a reverse situation. An older, more experienced nurse, doctor, allied health professional, or a teacher, can still attract job opportunities. Society regards their experience as both valid and valuable. In my personal experience, as a teacher/tutor for 42 years, I receive part-time job offers as a tutor, several times per week. Nice to be asked.</p> <p>Moreover, seniors have discounts on travel fares, a senior’s card discount on purchases, and some concessions with their pensions. But is the level of the senior’s pension, a sign of ageism itself? Most household budgets are eroded by the cost of food and bills.</p> <p>What are your experiences? Is ageism affecting you?</p>

Retirement Life

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Study finds Hollywood demeans old people

<p>Hollywood has a diversity problem: People of colour, LGBT folk and the differently abled all find themselves improperly represented or altogether absent in front of and behind screens large and small.</p> <p>A pair of studies released this week, however, paint an even worse picture for seniors, noting there are few characters over age 60 and that for the seniors who are present, they face demeaning or ageist references that don’t match their lived experiences.</p> <p>“Seniors are rarely seen on-screen, and when they are, they are ridiculed,” director of the Media, Diversity, and Social Change Initiative at University of South Carolina journalism school Stacy Smith said in a statement.</p> <p>“When did we become a society that is comfortable with subtle and stigmatising stereotypes about a group that has long served as the pillars and stalwarts of our communities?”</p> <p>The findings stem from studies conducted by USC and the health company Humana.</p> <p>USC’s study analysed the 100 top-grossing films of 2015 to assess the portrayal of characters 60 and over.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Humana’s quantitative analysis asked seniors to identify the lifestyle traits that are important when aging, assess the degree to which these traits describe them, and provide their thoughts on senior representation in media.</p> <p>They found that in film, seniors are under-represented, mischaracterised and demeaned by ageist language.</p> <p>While census numbers track 18.5 per cent of the population as 60 or older, only 11 per cent of movie characters were.</p> <p>Out of the 57 films that had a leading or supporting senior character, more than half of them, 30 in total, faced ageist comments such as being called “a relic,” “a frail old woman” and “a senile old man”.</p> <p>The problem with this, the studies suggest, is that it does not represent the lived experiences of older people.</p> <p>Seniors surveyed by Humana reported being highly aware (95 per cent), resilient (91 per cent) and physically active (71 per cent).</p> <p>Additionally, while only 29.1 per cent of on-screen leading or supporting characters aged 60 years or older engaged with technology, 84 per cent of seniors reported using the internet weekly.</p> <p>Furthermore, one-third of on-screen seniors have hobbies and 38.5 per cent attend events, while in reality, seniors are more than two times as likely to engage socially on a weekly or monthly basis.</p> <p>This latest pair of studies contributes to an ongoing conversation about diversity in Hollywood, one in which the film academy has received the most attention.</p> <p>Despite its recent influx of new members, the academy is an overwhelmingly grey institution (as of<em> The Times</em>’ 2012 study, the organisation’s median age was 62, with people younger than 50 as just 14 per cent of the membership).</p> <p>It’s curious that Hollywood is so willing to lampoon its own legends.</p> <p><em>Written by Tre’vell Anderson. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/08/5-must-watch-films-about-ageing/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 must-watch films about ageing</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/08/old-age-make-up-vs-how-actors-really-age/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Old age make-up in films vs how actors really age</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/07/7-actors-who-got-their-big-break-later-in-life/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>7 actors who got their big break later in life</strong></em></span></a></p>

Movies

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I am sick of feeling old and disrespected

<p><em><strong>Ruthanne Koyama retired at the age of 70 after 40 years in Service Chain Management. Not one to sit idle as the world went by she decided to write and share her somewhat quirky, but positive attitude on life and how to live the best of what is left of it.</strong></em></p> <p><img width="150" height="150" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/24945/ruthanne.jpg" alt="Ruthanne" style="float: left;"/>I may be “archaic” but I’m not dead yet and neither are a lot of my friends of the same era. The problem is much of society seems to disagree with that. If you did a search on “ageing” you will find that the first page of Google brings back mostly government sites, institutions and public health sites. Try seniors and you get silly things like senior dating, senior housing and again health care facilities or nursing sites.</p> <p>Great, good information for those people looking out for seniors, but what about us seniors ourselves. Outside of the dating site, which for most of my friends is not on the top of their needs list, there is little else that addresses us as people or even human beings.</p> <p>What the heck is going on? I may be pushing 70, but I am not infirm, nor have I lost my faculties.</p> <p>A concept that is often challenged by young people.</p> <p>I was discussing a topic the other day with a young man who was saying he had experience in this, and in that and had done this and that. So I asked him how he could possibly have done and gained experience in some many things.</p> <p>His response to me was: “You are out of touch with the world, your depth of experience (40 years) in this one area means nothing in the workplace today. The only thing that matters now is breadth of experience and you have none of that.”</p> <p>The young man was 37 years old.</p> <p>I was astounded and speechless. Not only because I found his comments demeaning but totally disrespectful. But, heh, maybe I’m just too old and take offence to easily. Again his comment.</p> <p>But insolent young people aside, where are we as seniors? Are we truly nonentities?</p> <p>I recall a saying I saw in some craft store one day which read:</p> <p>▪ At 30 you are invincible</p> <p>▪ At 40 you become insignificant</p> <p>▪ At 50 you are invisible</p> <p>▪ After 60 you cease to exist</p> <p>This of course, was referring to women, but I’d guess there is something similar for men somewhere and now on the internet, not some little craft store. Being on the net somehow makes it official.</p> <p>So my question is why aren’t we “the senior crowd” sticking up for ourselves. We taught our kids about it and I guess we are teaching grandchildren, but what about US?</p> <p>The news abounds with bullying being the number one issues kids face today. But those kids are not alone.</p> <p>Seniors face bullying on an unprecedented scale from millennials and gen X-ers.</p> <p>As seniors, we face a barrage of name calling, discounting and rude behaviour, albeit not from our peers, but from the demographic that will someday be in control of our world, the environment and us.</p> <p>No, I am not crying for a call to arms. Wouldn’t that look just too funny, a band of seniors with some single shot rifles from the Second World War, marching on who? Our kids, our former bosses, our doctors?</p> <p>All I’m saying is for us to start sticking up for ourselves. Doesn’t matter if you are 50 to 90! Heck, we all need to forget that demographic and start to think and act like we have the best rest of our lives left to live.</p> <p>Do you agree with Ruthanne? What do you think we seniors can do to change society’s views on ageing? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.</p> <p><em>For more of Ruthanne Koyama’s work, please visit her blog <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://healthywealthyaging.com/" target="_blank">Healthy Wealth Aging.</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><strong>If you have an opinion or story to share please get in touch at <a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/3-questions-to-ask-before-coming-out-of-retirement/"><em>3 questions to ask before coming out of retirement</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/places-to-use-your-seniors-card/"><em>16 places you didn’t know you could use your Seniors Card</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/05/free-online-resources-for-education/">Free online resources to keep your mind active over 60</a></em></strong></span></p>

Mind

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7 research-backed strategies to combat ageism

<p>In a society that values the cult of youth, it can be difficult not to fear getting older. But the way people treat you as you age not only influences your own perceptions of getting old but it can actually accelerate the ageing process. Cassey University’s Craig Fowler and colleagues believe the key to successful ageing is to resist the ageism and ageist messages that pervade society.</p> <p>According to Foweler’s research, the key to combat ageism is to create environments where we can age well. It acknowledges that most people feel uncertain about getting older, which creates both negative and positive feelings. If you create positive “ageing spaces” you're more likely to be less susceptible to ageism and feel much better about the ageing process. Here are seven strategies to help you create your positive ageing space. </p> <p><strong>1. Feel optimistic about getting older:</strong> Research from Yale University shows that the more positive and optimistic you are about ageing and the prospects of getting older, the longer you live.</p> <p><strong>2. Don’t attribute all behaviour to age:</strong> There’s a tendency to blame any kind of mistake when you’re older to the effects of ageing. But commonly there’s things that could happen to anyone at any age. Labelling yourself as old can lead yourself and others to treat you as less than mentally capable.</p> <p><strong>3. Refrain from ageing jokes:</strong> They’re meant to be jokes but they’re often just reinforcing ageist negative stereotypes, which could lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.</p> <p><strong>4. Plan for your future needs:</strong> Don’t pretend life won’t change in the future. You need to be willing to confront reality to plan and get ready for the changes that might affect you as you age.</p> <p><strong>5. Learn new technologies:</strong> There’s a prevailing belief that older people can’t learn new tricks, which is just not true. Not only does learning new things stimulate the brain, but defies ageist steretoypes.</p> <p><strong>6. Call out ageism when it happens:</strong> Help people who spout ageist remarks or jokes to see the folly of their ways by pointing out instances where it happens, and not just ignoring the comments.</p> <p><strong>7. Resist the anti-ageing industry:</strong> The unhappier you are about getting older, the more you’ll be susceptible to the “promises” of the anti-ageing industry.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/04/10-signs-youre-too-self-critical/"><em>10 signs you’re too self-critical</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/04/simple-ways-to-ease-anxiety/"><em>5 simple ways to ease anxiety</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/04/why-we-should-let-go-of-the-pursuit-of-perfect/"><em>Why we should let go of the pursuit of perfect</em></a></strong></span></p>

Mind

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8 “compliments” people pay that are actually ageist

<p>Let’s get rid of these “compliments” that demean older people – whether they’re well-intended or not.</p> <p><strong>1. When a waiter or anyone else asks an older woman, "What can I get for you today, young lady?"</strong></p> <p>You would never say to a teenager, “What would you like today, Grandma?” Older people know their older than most in society, and you know what they’re actually perfectly fine with that! Like the question is implying, youth isn’t better.</p> <p><strong>2. Saying to any older person, “You’re so adorable/cute/sweet.”</strong></p> <p>People only use this type of infantilising language when they think someone is incompetent or not quite on the same intellectual level as they are. That’s why these term of endearments are only applied to babies and baby animals – you never hear a grown adult being described with those type of adjectives.</p> <p><strong>3. “You’re 80 years young!”</strong></p> <p>It’s meant to be a compliment, but in our youth-obsessed society it’s simply reinforcing the message: young is good, old is bad. There is nothing wrong with being older and the fear of using the word needs to stop.</p> <p><strong>4. “You’re only 80… oh that’s not old!”</strong></p> <p>Again, it’s simply factually incorrect and the 80-year-old person knows that. And again, being “old” (see how it’s such a loaded term?) is not bad.</p> <p><strong>5. “You’re not what a 60-something looks like.”</strong></p> <p>This compliment again underlines the fact in our society looking young (and younger for your age) is a good thing – and should be what people want. But if you’re 60-something, wouldn’t you want to look 60-something?</p> <p><strong>6. “You are still…”</strong></p> <p>It’s one of those phrases that reeks of ageism when it follows an age: “She’s 70 but still volunteering” or “He’s 80 but still playing golf” or “She’s 85 but still so sharp!” The words “still” shows how society really feels about the older demographic, where people conflate ageing with illness, disability and ineptitude. Why is it a surprise when older folks can do anything that doesn’t fit in the stereotypical idea of them?</p> <p><strong>7. “You are proof that 60 is the new 40.”</strong></p> <p>So being energetic, fit, engaged, interested in the world, and not looking “old” must mean that I have to be younger than my years? Again, this compliment is saying being 60 is bad.</p> <p><strong>8. “At your age, you’re allowed to forget something.”</strong></p> <p>It sounds like an innocuous enough comment at first, one that is even supportive. But why has having a “senior moment” become synonymous with forgetfulness, when memory loss is in no way the sole purview of older people. People of all ages have forgotten where they parked, left something at home or can’t remember what they needed to grab from the supermarket. When all you can think about is how age defines an older person’s life, it’s ageist. Just assume the older person had a momentarily lapse in memory just like everyone else!</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2016/01/older-generation-better-at-learning/">Older generations better at learning than everyone else</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2015/12/ways-to-make-today-great/">10 sure-fire ways to make today a great day</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/mind/2015/12/positive-thinking-and-mental-health/">Can positive thinking improve your mental health?</a></em></strong></span></p>

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