| It’s all the (r)age!
Is there anything as inherently future-oriented as age itself? Whether we’re talking about a number or a societal construct, age and ageing are terms riddled with assumptions and stereotypes; many of them negative. Ageism is real, in fact, it might be the only ‘ism’ that will come for all of us eventually. How we’re impacted by ageing, and ageism by default, can be very different, though – depending on our gender, the colour of our skin or our social positions within society. As per usual, it is women who bear the brunt of it: Older women are more likely to be devalued for their appearance and face harsher judgments at work compared to older men, while facing pressure of early retirement or being passed over for promotions.
Here’s the twist: the way we view age today might change tomorrow. With longer lifespans, increasing ‘silver societies’, shifting work patterns, and a push for more inclusive societies, the future of ageing is begging for a rethink. Age intersects most other aspects of our lives, from climate change to politics, from technological innovation to socio-cultural disruptions. That’s why age matters greatly in our conversations about the future, both individually (talk #personalfutures) and as a society. It’s time we start questioning the stereotypes we hold about age, because they might otherwise very well shape the future we’re building. Let’s start with a bit of self-reflection, then: Deep down, what ageing stereotypes do *you* carry around with you? And what might *your* very own desirable future of ageing entail? |
