NAME: ANGELA LAI CHIEN LAN CLASS: 08/07

Thursday, August 23, 2007

I refer to Jeremy Su’s blog post “Ageism + sexism = axeing older women?” I’ve read the article he’d made reference to and too, found it ridiculous for the particular local nightspot to refuse a 55 year-old women of the free drinks promised to all ladies, just because she is over the age limit of 35.

I agree that this is a case of ageism. It is unfair that the special privilege was only entitled to young and attractive women. However, I feel that it is not as much of sexism. It is a stand taken by the nightspot, to attract more people, consisting of mainly the men and hip youngsters. Older men are not denied from entering nightspots as they form a big percentage of the customers. Thus, in order to keep these potential customers, the nightspot has conveniently excluded older women as they are labeled as less attractive.

Clearly, this is a case of the “demand-supply” effect. In this case, older women face discrimination in nightspots which has the stereotype of being a fun and youthful place. Older men were not denied entry, entirely because of the fact that there are bigger groups of them and they spend at the nightspot. Hence, economically, they have no reason to discriminate older men.

The argument that ageism plus sexism is also observed in our workplaces and communities could not be more true. There has always been some form of gender discrimination in the society. Men are viewed as the stronger sex and are more capable. Women, on the other hand, are thought to be dependent on men, substantiated by most women being housewives. They are supposed to belong to the home while men, on the battle ground. Besides that, many companies prefer younger workers, who are thought to be more efficient. That puts older women into further disadvantage in the working society.

However, this is a problem faced by many countries and in Singapore, the government had taken a strong stand against ageism. There had been efforts made in retaining older workers and upgrading women to help them return to the workforce. We have to be more practical and accept the fact that our population is ageing and being old is not a crime. It also does not mean that we get useless when we’re old. In fact, we have more life experience and that make us a better person, in our career as well.

I find it impossible for government to criminalise such acts as it is not going to be within their control. Say, if a company does not want to hire someone, even if it is because of her age, they can come up with a dozen excuses of why they refuse to employ her. After all, its ultimately their choice. The are limitations to what the government can do. Yes, it is the mindset of the society that has to be changed.

For that, everybody plays a part. We have to start with the younger generation by educating and instilling into them, the point that beauty does not go with age. Experience comes along with it, beautifying our lifes. Especially older women., they should be viewed upon as role models for the younger women, not discriminated.

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NAME: ANGELA LAI CHIEN LAN CLASS: 08/07