The numbers are staggering – 77.8% of women in 46 countries have experienced age-related discrimination during their careers. This troubling statistic emphasizes the harsh reality of gendered ageism, which affects women over 50 significantly in today’s workforce. Age discrimination has been illegal since 1967, yet nearly two-thirds of women aged 50 and older regularly face discrimination.
Women professionals encounter a double barrier from combined age and gender bias, with 48% experiencing age-based discrimination at work. The situation becomes more concerning as this isn’t just a late-career issue. Data shows that 40.7% of women encounter ageism within their first decade of work, while 55.9% face it after 21 years in their careers. This piece examines how gendered ageism appears in the workplace, its effects on women’s careers, and how women continue to fight against this persistent form of discrimination.
“I am proud of my wrinkles. They tell the story of my life, of who I am, and where I have been.”
The combination of age and gender bias creates a unique discrimination that affects women throughout their careers. Gendered ageism happens when women face prejudice based on both their age and gender. These biases create roadblocks that limit their professional growth and financial security.
What gendered ageism means
Workplace behaviors and attitudes demonstrate gendered ageism in several ways. Women feel pressure to look young, and their appearance plays a big role in how others see them professionally. They also battle stereotypes about their abilities, commitment, and worth as they get older. This bias shows up when they’re left out of important meetings, their opinions don’t count, and younger coworkers get better treatment.
Key statistics and trends
This problem runs deep in different age groups and industries. Research reveals that 80.7% of women have seen their colleagues treated differently because of age. The challenge follows women at every career stage – they’re either labeled “too young” or “too old” for professional growth.
Financial services paint a slightly better picture, with 34% of women saying they haven’t experienced gendered ageism. The overall situation remains troubling. Women in leadership roles face intense pressure, and 74.8% deal with age-based stereotypes. About 50.1% get less respect from colleagues, while 49% face unfair treatment during promotions.
Why it matters now
Gendered ageism disrupts more than just immediate career paths. Women over 50 often get stuck in low-paying positions, with more than one-third working jobs that pay less. Women of color face even tougher challenges with the largest gender wage gaps.
The damage reaches into mental and financial health. About 62.2% of women feel more stressed from age discrimination, and 61.8% doubt their abilities. These effects build up over time and lead to money problems. A striking 95% of women over 53 must keep working, yet 28% of those aged 59-65 rate their job prospects as “fair” or “poor”.
This discrimination hits women’s retirement security hard. Older women who lose their jobs stay unemployed longer and struggle to find new positions. Healthcare coverage becomes a serious concern since health risks increase with age.
How Gendered Ageism Shows Up at Work
Women face subtle yet persistent discrimination patterns throughout their careers. These biases affect them from their first job to senior leadership positions, and gendered ageism creates roadblocks that slow down their professional advancement.
Common workplace scenarios
Age-based stereotypes and assumptions represent the most common form of workplace discrimination that impacts 74.8% of women. These biases show up when colleagues fail to show respect (50.1%) and during unfair promotion decisions (49%).
Tech companies often subject older women to subtle age-related comments about their capabilities. A 58-year-old director found that her previous colleague had defended layoffs by saying the company needed a “younger team”. Women continue to hear biased comments about their age even after they land new roles.
Older female professionals typically deal with these challenges:
- Younger or less qualified male colleagues get promotions while they stay behind
- Their workload decreases as younger employees take on more projects
- They miss out on crucial meetings and decisions
- Leadership positions become increasingly difficult to maintain
Industry-specific challenges
Each sector creates unique barriers for women dealing with gendered ageism. Construction industry stereotypes question older women’s physical stamina, whatever their actual abilities. Such assumptions often overshadow their years of knowledge and skills.
Engineering presents a troubling picture – 57% of women leave the field before turning 45, while only 17% of male engineers do the same. The numbers look even worse after maternity leave, as two-thirds of women engineers never come back to their careers.
Tech sector prejudices often question older women’s adaptability to new technologies and industry changes. Their extensive experience and qualifications matter little as these assumptions limit their leadership opportunities and damage their credibility.
Financial services show slightly better trends, with 34% of women reporting no experience of gendered ageism. Notwithstanding that, employers in all sectors make decisions based on age-related stereotypes, such as assuming older workers will have trouble with new technologies.
The Real Cost of Age Discrimination
Age discrimination costs the U.S. economy way beyond individual careers. The estimated cost reached $850 billion in 2018. These losses might reach $3.9 trillion by 2050. This systemic issue needs urgent attention.
Career effect
Age discrimination forces involuntary retirement that accounts for 57% of total economic losses. Women being forced to retire early contribute to one-third of these losses. Nine out of 10 women can’t find new jobs after being pushed out. More than half of these displaced women stay jobless for over a year.
Mental health effects
Gendered ageism takes a deep psychological toll. Research shows how age-based discrimination raises stress levels and hurts self-confidence. Older adults facing age discrimination often show:
- Higher rates of depression and anxiety
- Lower self-efficacy and life satisfaction
- Negative stereotypes that hurt their mental well-being
Studies prove that 95.5% of research links ageism directly to psychiatric conditions. Depression symptoms throughout life are the main result. Many women absorb these biases, which lowers their self-esteem and career goals.
Financial consequences
Gendered ageism creates lasting financial damage. Women who quit work to care for elderly family members lose around $142,000 in wages. They also miss out on $131,000 in lifetime Social Security benefits. These effects continue into retirement where:
- Women’s Social Security benefits average 80% of men’s payments
- Retired women have two-thirds less chance of getting pension income
- Poverty rates climb from 8.6% for women aged 65-69 to 13.5% for those over 80
The healthcare sector could lose $674 billion in spending by 2050 due to these discriminatory practices. The leisure and hospitality sectors might lose $468 billion. Divorced and unmarried women feel this financial pressure the most, with poverty rates hitting 15.8% and 21.5% respectively.
Women Fighting Back: Success Stories
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” — Womanlyzine.com
Women over 50 across the United States refuse to accept workplace discrimination. They fight back through legal channels and reinvent their careers. Their determination shows how they overcome gendered ageism.
Legal victories
The U.S. Supreme Court has strengthened protections for older workers. A groundbreaking ruling now makes it easier for workers over 40 to challenge age discrimination. Noris Babb’s case sparked this change when she and other women over 45 watched younger men receive promotions they deserved.
A powerful message emerged when J&M Industries paid $105,000 to settle a discrimination case. The company fired a 65-year-old woman who wouldn’t retire and replaced her with a man in his thirties. Five female reporters also won their fight against a New York news channel that had pushed them aside because of their age and gender.
Career pivots after 50
Many women choose to chart new professional paths instead of facing discrimination. Martha Stewart’s story stands out – she built her media empire in her late 40s and 50s after leaving her stockbroker career. Lynda Weinman took a bold step when she co-founded Lynda.com, which LinkedIn later bought for $1.50 billion.
Jaleh Bisharat shows what’s possible with a career change. She launched NakedPoppy, a clean beauty e-tailer, in her 50s. Her age became her strength, bringing wisdom and resilience to her leadership role. These women prove that experience can spark innovative business ventures.
Women looking to switch careers should explore these promising fields:
- Consulting that turns decades of experience into valuable expertise
- Education and training that lets them share their knowledge
- Healthcare administration that meets growing industry needs
- Entrepreneurship that gives them control over their growth
Success often comes from building on existing skills while taking on new challenges. A career coach puts it well: “creating an energizing new chapter is most definitely possible”. Women over 50 prove they can overcome age discrimination through persistence and smart strategy.
Conclusion
Age discrimination hits women particularly hard, but many have proven these barriers don’t define their future. Women over 50 keep shattering age-related stereotypes through legal wins and successful business ventures. Their wisdom and experience become incredible assets when paired with sheer determination.
Everyone benefits when we tackle age discrimination against women – from individual careers to our economy as a whole. Organizations that welcome age diversity gain access to deep expertise. Many women who switch careers after 50 discover new purpose and achievement. These positive changes stand in stark contrast to the projected $3.9 trillion economic loss by 2050 if age discrimination continues unchecked.
The battle against age discrimination needs ongoing commitment from people and organizations alike. Success stories of women like Martha Stewart and Jaleh Bisharat show that age shouldn’t hold back professional growth. Better workplaces emerge for all generations when we challenge unfair practices, back legal protections, and celebrate women over 50’s achievements.
FAQs
Q1. What is gendered ageism and how does it affect women in the workplace? Gendered ageism is a form of discrimination that combines age and gender bias, particularly affecting women over 50. It manifests through stereotypes about competence, exclusion from opportunities, and pressure to maintain a youthful appearance, limiting women’s professional growth and economic security.
Q2. How prevalent is gendered ageism in today’s workforce? Gendered ageism is widespread, with 77.8% of women across 46 countries reporting age-related discrimination in their careers. Nearly two out of three women aged 50 and older experience regular discrimination, and 48% report age-based discrimination in their workplace.
Q3. What are the financial consequences of gendered ageism for women? Gendered ageism can lead to significant financial insecurity for women. They may become stuck in low-wage positions, face extended periods of unemployment if laid off, and receive lower Social Security benefits in retirement. This impact is particularly severe for divorced and unmarried women, with poverty rates reaching 15.8% and 21.5% respectively.
Q4. How are women fighting back against gendered ageism? Women are challenging gendered ageism through legal action and career reinvention. Recent court decisions have strengthened protections against age discrimination. Many women are also choosing to pivot their careers after 50, launching successful ventures in fields like consulting, education, healthcare administration, and entrepreneurship.
Q5. What can be done to address gendered ageism in the workplace? Addressing gendered ageism requires effort from both individuals and organizations. Companies should embrace age diversity and tap into valuable expertise. Supporting legal protections, challenging discriminatory practices, and celebrating the achievements of women over 50 can create better workplaces for all generations. Additionally, women can consider career changes that leverage their existing skills while embracing new challenges.
