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Stereotypes abound about older Australians – and it’s highly resented
Younger people have “annoying and contradictory assumptions” about older people, according to new research from National Seniors Australia (NSA).
The research, based on the views of more than 2,000 people aged 50-plus, found they strongly objected to the stereotypes of older people as being “frail and incapable, bad with technology, resentful of change or unable to contribute to society”.
Others objected to the counter-stereotypes that older people are all fit, technology-savvy and excited about change. As one person wrote, “I feel that society is impatient with the slowness of older people.”
But it wasn’t all negative. Others countered with comments about older people’s “enormous unpaid contribution to society and economy”, the fact they “still want to be a punk rocker”, or their “lifelong history of protest”.
Diane Hosking (pictured), NSA head of research, says the report reinforces the fact older people are extremely diverse and while some are sharper and fitter than ever, others do need support and consideration.
“The research shows how ridiculous it is to make assumptions about people based on age.”
Objections to assumptions about Baby Boomers were common as well. Such assumptions include the contradictory ideas that Baby Boomers hoard wealth or, conversely, are a “drain on the public purse”.
Some Baby Boomers shared stories of struggling financially during their lives – especially those who didn’t earn superannuation for much of their working lives because of their age, gender or profession.
“Older people don’t stop being our diverse selves just because we age,” Hosking says. “More than a third of Australia’s population is 50-plus. Like any large group, it is full of different people. We were different from each other when we were 20 and we’re still very different now.
“Part of recognising diversity in ageing is accepting that declines in body and mind can come with age and adapting to ensure new needs are met. It is also about respecting people’s values, preferences and lifestyle expectations, and enabling people to age in the way that’s right for them.”
Quotable quotes from the research:
Our bodies don’t work – “When I’m at the shopping mall wearing ear buds listening to music via my phone, shop attendants mistake them for hearing aids and yell at me.”
Our brains don’t work – “The dismissal of experience without logical discussions. The assumption is that you are just complaining without considering why.”
Our bodies and brains don’t work – “A presumption that older workers are less capable and should do jobs with less responsibility, skill requirement and remuneration.”
We have no value – “We are useless now we have left work, our past employment professions don’t count any longer and we don’t know what we are taking about anymore. Looked upon like a nothing or feel imaginary. Vacant, empty, useless.”
Our lifestyle is no life – “Often get ‘you must be bloody old now – how are you coping’ or you shouldn’t be doing that at your age! Why would you want to travel at your age? How or why would you want to caravan around at your age?”
Our outlook is stuck in the mud – “That we have no interesting past. It was amusing with the school climate change protests that a number of the young were amazed we were there (grandmothers for refugees) and that we had a lifelong history of protest.”
We model our lives on the (former Prime Minister Robert) Menzies era – “I dislike being stereotyped. For example, I heard someone say on ABC radio that the Voice referendum failed because all the old people voted against it.”
Our finances are a problem – “One assumption which really annoys me is that my adult children (in their 30s) always expect us, their parents, to pay for lunch/dinner when they and their partners are on good pay and we are living off savings (super).”
Our skills are behind the times – “Sales assistants in stores are surprised when I hold all my store cards and pay by credit card using my phone. They expect ‘old’ people to be still fumbling around with cash which I have not used for years.”
We suck because we’re Boomers – “Some consider we are the ‘wasteful generation’ when we have been more aware about saving and not wasting … We did not have air conditioning in our homes. We walked to school, rode bikes to work or took public transport. We didn’t have the opportunity to go to university. We didn’t have houses that our parents had worked their adult lives to own.”
We conform to the ‘good ageing’ ideal – “The assumption that my values are [old] hat and I should change to what they think – using text when a phone call is my preferred option. Thinking I should spend more time on Facebook to keep up to date with what they are doing rather than having face-to-face time with them.”
Annoying things people do because they hold these assumptions about the aged – “I often get young drivers tailgating me the whole way even though I drive at the speed limit. There is a lot of bullying behaviour towards older drivers.”
Assumptions about age based on appearance and advertising – “An older woman who dresses differently gets called ‘mutton dressed as lamb’.“
