U.K.: We Can End The Age-Old Cliches

GLASGOW, Scotland (Daily Record), August 21, 2008: The Battle Against Discrimination: Does Age Really Hold You Back Or Is It A Myth? By Katrina Tweedie THE most typical stereotype would class all youngsters wearing a hoodie as potential troublemakers and anyone over 60 with a blue rinse or pipe. In a society that values youth and beauty, age discrimination can be endemic. There was general amazement at Madonna recently for daring to look so good at 50. "Popular culture perpetuates negative attitudes towards ageing and older people," says Helena Scott, of Age Concern Scotland. "While the media concentrates on negative stories about a minority of youth involved in drugs or crime, the older generation are often perceived as being past it." Helena cites an example of an old-age birthday card portraying a horse going to the knacker's yard. "Age-related stereotypes can be extremely offensive," she stresses. The Scottish Government's new ageism campaign is tackling age discrimination head-on by challenging all of these negative attitudes. The campaign's main focus is to highlight the positive and valuable contributions that older people make to society, while also highlighting the similar negative perceptions faced by teenagers. Scotland has a higher percentage of pensioners than anywhere else in Britain, but increasing opportunities exist for our ageing population, including extended working, volunteering, hobbies, health and care. And while people live longer, they also enjoy healthier lives. Here, we speak to three people who are all trying to shatter the stereotypes about age. BILL PEDEN "I'm 68-years-young and still going strong," says Bill, a former police officer turned tour guide. "When I retired I wasn't ready to give up so I retrained as a guide and I love it. "Age tome is a relative term." After retiring, Bill, from Dalkeith, Midlothian, saw an advert for Guide Fridays on the open decked buses in Edinburgh and got the job. He then went on to study a two-year Scottish Tourist Guide Association course and received a coveted Blue Badge, a higher level of guiding. "I'm so proud to wear it because I'm an ambassador for Scotland on all my tours," says Bill, who during the summer works every other day guiding tourists around the country. "Some people are surprised when they discover I'm still working instead of sitting at home in my slippers. "I don't think I'm unusual and many people my age are still working, especially in tourism, and loving it." He adds: "I'll never retire because if you retire you have no days off to look forward to. So I'll keep going for as long as my brain keeps going." Bill also acknowledges that many young people are great ambassadors for young age, but don't get the same recognition as those who get into trouble. "It's the kids misbehaving that we hear about. Not the ones doing well," he says. "The only difference when you are older is having to pace yourself. Older people are adaptable. Age is just a period in life and doesn't mean you have to stop and, at 68, I can still work, golf and play the bagpipes." ANNA ROSS THE 67-year-old returned home to Scotland in 2000 after 43 years working abroad, first as a midwife, then as an English teacher. But after a thrilling career working in such places as Pakistan and Central Asia, she soon became bored when she returned home to retirement. "When you've been working and suddenly stop, it's a bit like a bereavement and takes a bit of getting used to," says Anna, from Embo, near Dornoch. "I still had a sense of adventure, I felt I could still contribute to my community, and I love being with people." When Anna saw an advert from the Retired Senior and Volunteer Programme (RSVP), she jumped at the chance to use her teaching skills helping a new generation closer to home. Routine tasks in the classroom for Anna include listening to pupils reading, assisting them with maths and spelling, as well as organising many fun activities. Age is irrelevant, says Anna, if you still believe you have something to offer. "I feel more like I'm30 and I only realise my age when I look in the mirror and see grey hair and some more wrinkles," she says. "But image and appearance is irrelevant." CHRIS McGEECHAN "I'm aware of age discrimination because it happens to me so often," says 19-year-old Chris, from Aberdeen. He recently experienced two forms of blatant ageism. One was when he was in his local bank trying to have charges reversed. Chris says: "I'd been trying to have charges reversed on my account and the bank teller was completely unhelpful, unfriendly and wasn't listening to me until my mum walked in and stood next to me. "I'd never seen such a quick personality change in my life. Then she couldn't help me enough and reversed the charges and told me ways to avoid them in the future. "It was great, but at the same time sad, here I am 19 and need the presence of my mum to be taken seriously." Again recently, student Chris parked his car in a parking bay but when he returned a woman had double parked behind him and was running off, although there were spaces further away. "I politely said you've blocked me in, and she snapped my head off and said she'd be a few minutes. What? So her time's more precious than mine because she's older? "There's no way on Earth she would have spoken to an older person like that, yet she thought it was OK to speak to me like that and that's just not right." "In my opinion, I think everyone just needs to have a little bit more respect for one another." 'It was great but sad at the same time. I'm 19 and need my mum to be taken sereously' Copyright © 2008 Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd.