Third of Brits admit discriminating against others because of their age as report backed by Carol Vorderman reveals social media is riddled with ageist insults like ‘old fart’ and ‘old hag’
- Third of Brits have at some time discriminated against someone because of age
- Those in their thirties were found to be most guilty of using ageist language
- ‘Old fart’ and ‘old hag’ found to be some of most used ageist terms on Twitter
- Carol Vorderman, 58, said vocabulary is one of ‘final taboos to smash through’
Carol Vorderman, 58, pictured today on This Morning, has backed the report which found a third of Brits have discriminated against someone because of age
A third of Brits have discriminated against someone because of their age, according to new research released today.
The Ageist Britain Report, backed by Carol Vorderman, was produced to shine a light on the issue of ageism in Britain.
Researchers also analysed thousands of Tweets over a week and found there were more than 2,400 ageist terms used on Twitter – with ‘old fart’, ‘bitter old man’ and ‘old hag’ being the most frequently used.
Ms Vorderman said this type of language is ‘something from the last century’ and one ‘final taboos to smash through’, adding that ‘it’s a privilege to live a long life.’
Four thousand UK-based adults were surveyed for the report commissioned by SunLife.
One in 30 admit to regularly discriminating against someone because of their age, and more than one in ten admit they don’t even know if they’ve done it in the past.
The workplace is where most people are likely to experience ageism (31 per cent), followed by shops (16 per cent) and public transport (10 per cent).
Those in their thirties are most guilty of using ageist language – 48 per cent admit to being ageist at some point.
More than two thirds of over 50s say the ageism apparent in everyday life makes them feel less valued and the most likely place to experience it was at work (file picture)
While Brits in their twenties are twice as likely to have discriminated based on age compared to someone in their 70s (46 per cent versus 20 per cent respectively).
More than two thirds (68 per cent) of over 50s say the ageism apparent in everyday life makes them feel less valued.
While it leaves 60 per cent feeling unhappy and half (52 per cent) feeling alienated. However, more than half (58 per cent) believe that ageist language is unintentional.
Other common terms found during the searches of Twitter and blogs in the UK included: ‘ladies/gentleman of a certain age’, ‘bitter old man/woman’ and ‘little old lady/man’.
Carol Vorderman said: ‘The report shows that we’re bombarded with phrases and behaviours which imply that life after 50 must be awful, and that it’s ‘downhill all the way’.
Researchers analysed thousands of Tweets and found there were more than 2,400 ageist terms used on Twitter – with ‘old fart’ and ‘old hag’ being frequently used (file picture)
‘That just isn’t true – but this nonsensical school of thought will continue unless we raise the profile of the impact this type of language can have. For more than two thirds of those who are over 50 to feel badly affected by it is unacceptable. This is one of the final taboos to smash through.’
Ms Vorderman continued: ‘Life after 50 is a great kind of different. It can be the best time of all: less stressful, less competitive, freeer, happier, more joyful.
‘Life at any age is there to embrace, so it’s time we stopped using ageist language, intentional or not.
‘Derogatory’ or ageist phrases found by the researchers
You/he/she look good, for your age
Women/men of a certain age
Mutton dressed as lamb
Decrepit old man/woman
Drives like an old man/woman
Little old lady/man
Grumpy old man/woman
He’s/she’s senile
A senior moment
Anti-ageing/ anti age
Bitter old man/woman
Cranky old person
He’s/she’s ancient
He’s/she’s over the hill
He’s/she’s past it
Miserable old man/woman
Old fart
Old fuddy-duddy
Old hag
‘Society has changed, and this kind of ageism is something from the last century, not this one. Interestingly, it says a lot about the nature of the person saying it.
‘It’s a privilege to live a long life, ask those who have suffered a loss of someone they love at an early age.
‘We should all celebrate the passing years and live them happily to the full. I’ve always believed and practised the three generational way of living.
Ian Atkinson, director of marketing at SunLife, said: ‘We want our report to encourage people to reconsider the language they use and their views of life after 50, especially given there is also evidence that ageism can impact people’s mental health, hasten the onset of dementia and even shorten their life expectancy.
‘People are too quick to speak without thinking of the consequences of their language. Often, offence isn’t intended, but it can have a massive impact on the people it is aimed at.’
The report also found that different cities across the country have a different story to tell when it comes to use of ageist language.
More Southampton residents admit to being ageist at some point than all other cities included in the research (46%), which more than double of those in Bristol (20%).
More over 50s living in the West Midlands (42%) and Yorkshire (41%) believe that the problem of ageism is getting worse, more so than in any other UK region.
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