I have learned this is a very vexing question which can create huge emotional swings in people. If you’re a woman who is 55Plus, a very specific demographic, do you want to be called A certain age? Senior? Elderly? Crone? Or perhaps a Sage or any one of perceptive, thoughtful, wise or even, my all-time favourite, perspicacious? Whatever … what do you choose as your label?
Research has been conducted asking the same question and it seems Mature Adult is the favourite. This is the list in order of popularity:
✓ Mature adult
✓ Older adult
✓ Seniors
✓ Retirees
✓ Senior citizens
✓ Elders
There are gaps in the research but none of these names are particularly insulting. They’re certainly not luscious or desirable either.
Labels define what you’re called
We live in a society that demands labels. If we can’t be labelled or pigeon-holed then we’re of no importance to anybody or anything. Take a look at the discrimination of ageism and you’ll know exactly what I mean. Yes, I know, according to almost every government body or organisation there is no such thing as Ageism (Agism). If you’re a no-longer-young woman, you will know, like me, that this is one huge pork pie and we have to hope their noses don’t grow.
But if we don’t want to be labelled as Senior or a Mature Adult what do we find acceptable? Do you call yourself senior? More importantly, do you identify as Senior?
Of course, you can choose to identify as anything or anybody if you like. I read the other day about a schoolgirl who identified as a cat. So you choose to be who or what takes your fancy just as you can choose your own personal label. You can even choose your own sex …
Why, just because you’re no longer youthful, do you have to be labelled by other people as something you’re not? Or am I being too harsh on today’s society … is everybody labelled and do they like their label? Does it really matter?
It really is time to Refuse to let the labels of others define you …
Let’s inject some label reality here …
Many of us, no matter our age, live healthy and active lives. Our current reality is vastly different from that of previous generations; 30 or 40 years ago, women in their fifties were old. Not now. We don’t look the same, we don’t feel the same and we don’t act the same.
We don’t want to be called the same and we can’t be anyway … it’s ridiculous to call someone in their seventies middle-aged. It’s unlikely they’ll live to 140 or thereabouts …
Each age we experience is another phase in our lives and we should be called by whatever sits the most comfortably with us. If that means there is no universal term that can be used to describe us I can only say such a shame!
We should be called by any name that we like
It’s wise to remember, that the terms people use to describe us are often denigrating, derogatory, patronising and inaccurate. Being constantly referred to us as elderly or senior can act like water on a stone … eventually you believe it and start to act accordingly just because of someone else’s label.
Even the phrase middle-aged women can feel derogatory if it’s said by the wrong person at the right time. And as for boomagers or keenagers … WHAT THE …?
Recently, the name QUEENAGERS was suggested. But again, it’s used to describe everyone … not as uncommon as I originally thought.
All labels are powerful and our responses to them are even more powerful …
Let’s say NO to all these dreadful expressions and be known only as Mature Adults or just identify ourselves as being comfortable as we are with something like 55Plus … it says it all really. As a woman who can almost be labelled 55Plus+
What do you think? Do you dislike labels? How would you prefer to be identified?
