Age Discrimination in Turbulent Times
Despite a shift in policy against early retirement, 'older workers' - who may be as young as 40 - are disproportionately experiencing age discrimination, often resulting in joblessness. We argue that in a postmodern environment, where the culture of '
youthism' predominates, the workplace is undergoing significant changes. In the new knowledge economy, characterised by technological know-how, flexibility and choice, traditional values such as maturity, experience and loyalty have become passe. In addition, as part of the culture of
youthism, work is now being gauged by its capacity to create an aesthetic of pleasure.
http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary...'
Youthism' and Ageism in Our Movement?
One of the most controversial and heavily debated issues in the first five months of our newly re-formed organisation is clearly the issue of the role of both youths (namely students), and of adults and postgraduates. Some adults have called for an entirely "integrated" organisation, with no distinction between the roles of students and that of adults. They advocate one voting system and method of decision making for all members of SDS, regardless of age. Some students have come under attack from some very vocal adults for their position that they believe that students should "lead" the movement.
http://antiauthoritarian.net/NLN/current/kell...Calendar Girls, the film, is based on the true story of a band of Yorkshire women of a certain age who decide to use their rather mature bodies as the subjects for a calendar designed to raise £999 for a hospital sofa. In the end, the women underestimate their allure and succeed in raising enough for a £999 sofa and over £500,000 for an entire leukaemia unit. In so doing, they throw their clothes in the face of the '
youthism' that prevails in Western culture, confidently affirming the possibility of beauty and sexual attractiveness beyond the age of 23. Indeed, the ideal of a wrinkle-free, fat-free, sag-free, firm, toned torso that is promoted by Laboratoires Garnier, L'Oreal et al is subverted by their readiness to allow themselves to be photographed as women of spirit in the bodies they have.
http://www.licc.org.uk/engaging-with-culture/...
