The article "Questioning Gendered Ageism in Job-Related Non-Formal Training and
Informal Learning" by Íñiguez-Berrozpe, Marcaletti, Elboj-Saso, and Romero-Martin explores
the intersection of age and gender discrimination in job-related training contexts. The authors
examine how age and gender biases impact access to both non-formal training, such as courses
and informal learning, which include peer learning or on-the-job mentoring. Through qualitative
research, the authors analyze how these biases create barriers, particularly for older women, who
often face the compounded effects of being perceived as both outdated due to age and less
competent due to gender stereotypes and in their study, they find that these biases prevent older
women from gaining the skills necessary for holding a steady job and getting promoted, which
further worsens inequality in the workplace.
The article also highlights how age and gender biases interact with broader workplace
dynamics, such as organizational policies and attitudes toward lifelong learning. Older women
are often overlooked for development opportunities and may not be seen as worthy of investment
compared to younger employees. This lack of access to professional growth opportunities leads
to a cycle of exclusion, where older women are marginalized in both their current roles and in
potential career advancements and in the article, the authors argue that this exclusion is not only
terrible for individuals but also limits the diversity of knowledge and perspectives within
workplaces, ultimately affecting organizational success. The study calls for a shift in how
organizations approach both training and informal learning, promoting equality across age and
gender lines. (https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.fi.opal-libraries.org/eds/detail/detail?
vid=2&sid=a47a0dec-02cd-4678-b2cf-47bce3d3382e
%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d
%3d#db=tfh&AN=172773937)
The article "Reduced to Curtain Twitchers? Age, Ageism, and the Careers of Four
Women Actors" by Raisborough, Watkins, Connor, and Pitimson examines the impact of ageism
on the careers of older female actors. Through in-depth interviews with four women in the
industry, the authors explore how aging affects their professional opportunities and self-
perception. The study highlights that as these women age, they experience a narrowing of roles
available to them, often limited to stereotypical portrayals that reinforce ageist views, as the
authors described it as “curtain-twitching” character which could be an allusion to nosy, isolated,
elderly women. This example of pigeonholing reflects a broader industry trend where older
women are rarely cast in dynamic roles, which increases the deep-seated ageism in media and
entertainment.
The authors also discuss how these stereotypes not only limit career options but also
shape public perceptions of older women in which the four actors share their struggles with an
industry that prefers youthful images, often forcing them to take roles that do not align with their
abilities or personalities. This restriction is particularly harmful because it denies older women in
the industry the chance to fully utilize their skills and range, reinforcing societal narratives that
marginalize and overlook the experiences and contributions of older women. Additionally, the
study touches on the psychological effects of being reduced to such limiting roles, as the actors
express feelings of invisibility and frustration at their diminished prospects. In this article, it is
argued that the entertainment industry needs to reevaluate its treatment of older women by
creating diverse roles that reflect a broader spectrum of age-related experiences, calling for
greater representation of older women in multifaceted roles, which would not only improve the
careers of women actors but also challenge societal ageism. By broadening the portrayals of
aging women, the industry could shift public perceptions and contribute to a more inclusive
understanding of aging and femininity.
https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.fi.opal-libraries.org/eds/detail/detail?vid=13&sid=8c8c2687-
84b2-4860-9a75-
567f9c4a5b94%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d
%3d#AN=155757338&db=sih
