Ageism on TV still exists

In 2017, Tory MP Rachel Maclean asked 'what is wrong' with women aged 65 starting an apprenticeship (on £3.50 an hour). Guy Opperman (Pensions sec) said there were plenty of apprenticeships for over-60 women. Another suggested that post-Brexit, pensioners (instead of E European labour) earn their pension by picking fruit.
We're figures of derision indeed

wasn't the programme highlighting the, possible, symptoms of a stroke? Mother wasn't getting drunk she was leading up to this event - something we should all be aware of.

Brilliant programme - execellent observations of life and all it throws at us

I didn't watch 'Cold Feet' but your post has really given me food for thought. I'm writing a book about 3 women, one in their 20's, another 40's and Alma who is in her mid 60's who form an unlikely friendship. Alma's husband has left her just as he was about to retire and she is unable to accept it to the extent that she actually stalks him. After reading this post, I've decided that the other women will give Alma a makeover and introduce her to other forms of dating. If anyone has any other ideas, I'd love to hear them. I'm 72 but still young at heart!

I would be quite happy to be like Jen's mum. The other one is an interesting character. I think the programme people have got it right.

We are too obsessed with age. Read any newspaper report, about absolutely anything, and it will report the age of everyone concerned when it's totally irrelevant! e.g.
Cat stuck up a tree: Mrs Bloggs, (63) phoned the Fire and Rescue service to help a cat, Tibbles (three years old) down from a 100 year old oak tree. The cat's owner, Mr Jones (37) was very grateful to Fire Officer Tracey (25) for her bravery.... Yada, yada, yada...

Who cares how old these people are? Everyone! That's who! We all want to form an idea of who people are and judge them according to our preconceived ideas of how people of any age should look and behave.

But so many of us fall into that trap. We say we're too old to do this or that. We start wearing old lady clothes and get our hair permed!

Rant over ?

Lizzypop I agree! Age (in brackets) is one of my pet hates!

I must be quite lucky I worked for Apple for a time I was 69 when I got the job.Reason I was given it was because I had complained in the ‘ how did we do’ email that they only employed kids who talked so fast older customers couldn’t keep up.I had bought my husband when the first IPad came out.I got the email offering me a job 12 months later??
I also thought Apple interviewed before offering a job but
none the less I took it.Loved it my family loved as I could get discount of most things not iphones unfortunately.
At 75 my dc,dgc etc come to me if their stuff isn’t working I think it funny that at my age I am the tech go to for friends as well.My dhl’s friends think he is great as they ask him why such is not working or something he comes home asks me
I ring my pal at Apple who keeps me up to date and then he tells them, everyone is happy lol

Once, when a younger friend was moaning about her MIL I pointed out that with three sons herself she would one day be on the receiving end, she hadn't thought about it that way.

I didn’t get an impression of ageism. Life was happening to the mums just as it was to the original cast and the mums seemed to be having more fun, initially anyway!

If you look for “isms” you’re sure to find them!

One of my favourite programmes!

I didn’t even notice it which either means I don’t count myself among the old ladies (at 70) or I am inured to it. I do notice the amount of moaning my generation do though and some of the attitudes ...........!

I didn't mind it in that episode.But yes, ageism is everywhere. I looked at Age Uk's website and all the photos of staff looked under 40 (at a glance). Where are the over 50s? Lots of us are still either working or seeking work!

Yet strangely, adverts on TV and elsewhere for mobility scooters, stairlifts, chairlifts, electric beds etc.,all seem to have fifty something, slim looking people who don’t look at all as if they need them!?

I would add to the age complaint the pensioner description.

You witness an accident and are a key witness. The media report, especially papers will say 'Pensioner Joan Brown, grandmother of 5, said she saw the car come down the road as........'

Why not just 'a witness, Joan Brown, said she saw the car coming down the road.....' what has whether she draws a pension, or how many grandchildren she has got to do with it. Would she more or less reliable if she only had 3 DGC or actually had 9?

I read that those who have a negative view of older people don't age well. Something to think about

Good for you Lilydily9. Let us know when you’ve finished it.

I surely will Summerfly. I love writing and it keeps the brain cells active!

I agree that older people tend to be characterised in a certain way on the TV and in films.

I don't think the characterisation of the older women on Cold Feet was particularly offensive - I have seen a lot worse. That episode was a bit over the top, but many of the characters in Cold Feet aren't entirely believable, and Adam and David often come across as a bit ridiculous in the way they behave.

|Any kind of "ism" is unpleasant and unwelcome in my opinion, and that includes ageism. However, there are other sorts of "isms" that are equally annoying and offensive to other groups of people, but their feelings are often trivialised and ignored, and efforts to address them are described as "political correctness gone mad".

I am not so outraged as to stop watching Cold Feet.

As long as we are not portrayed like the older ladies in Little Britain...

I agree I felt cold feet ladies where very rude about their mothers

Cold Feet was once a charming observational comedy drama. Sadly, this new series has fallen into awful cliches to try and get some humour, especially the portrayal of the older mums and their daughters. Made me wince.

Interesting....in CF I found one of the GMs self-centred, rude, thoughtless and intrusive. I know it's fiction but I daresay the writing is based on some sort of theory or experience.

Ageism only occurs when you allow yourself to recognise it happening to you. I work in a role that involves being a subject matter expert influencing daily the young and thrusting. They need my experience and value my ‘commodity’. Treat me badly and they won’t get the wisdom.

I work with people of all ages, I’ve had to learn new skills in the last five years as the company has moved forward, we’re about to make more changes which will mean I’ll have to forget all that, and learn yet more new skills.

I’m a bit slower than the younger ones, but I get there in the end. My secret is having a note book I can keep referring back to.

One school holiday I showed my nine year old granddaughter how to do a few basic tasks, I told her she could check she was doing it correctly by looking at my notes. She was up and away, never once having to check anything, I was impressed, but also realised she s already way ahead of me when it comes to IT skills.

We all age differently, and it's all good.
There is no reason why we should all be youthful for our age, or portrayed as such. There's room for everyone.

I haven’t watched Cold Feet for ages, so I can’t comment.

I agree with the comment that Coronation street has some strong older characters. I think Tyrones Nanna is brilliant, and who could forget Blanche Hunt?