Age Discrimination and Women 50+

Michelle Crouch discusses an AARP survey that highlighted the experiences of discrimination faced by women aged fifty and over. They reported discrimination because of their age, racial and ethnic identity, weight, gender, and class.

Age discrimination was reported most often. Research demonstrates that job performance improves as we age. But almost two in three women say that they experience discrimination regularly.

Although age discrimination is illegal, workplaces often normalize it. Employee training may not include age bias.

Overall, women of color, especially Black women, experience discrimination at higher rates. Seventy percent of Black women, sixty percent of Asian American/Pacific Islander women, and fifty-nine percent of Latina women shared that they experience discrimination regularly.

Discrimination affects our health in several ways. It can contribute to anxiety, depression, and psychological distress. Weight discrimination has the greatest effect on mental health. Physically, it can contribute to hypertension, heart disease, and chronic illness.

Discrimination can also shape how we present ourselves. There are often expectations that working women look or act in a certain way. This can include pressure to wear make-up or lose weight. Women who experience discrimination regularly may be more self-conscious and more aware of their surroundings.

Older workers have a lot to offer, but there is a lack of awareness. What the world doesn’t realize is that age discrimination is costly not only for the person and their family but for the whole economy. People are living longer, and so many skills are being overlooked.

SOURCE: AARP • AUTHOR: Michelle Crouch • LAST UPDATED: June 22, 2022