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Getting On: Some Thoughts on Women and Ageing
Why are we so obsessed with staying young?
In a culture that advocates the pursuit of endless youth and physical beauty how can we embrace the reality, the pleasures and the rewards of getting on? And what does the 'fight against ageing' mean when all women must eventually face the double-standard of ageism and sexism?
Once past fifty, older women begin to sense that they have become invisible. From the visual displays in the mall to the pages of magazines and the television screens at the heart of our homes, young women with perfect skin, bouncy, enhanced breasts, pouting lips, long straight hair and perfect teeth gaze down on us.
The ageing population is traditionally viewed as a problem; a drain on financial resources, health, housing and community services and a burden on younger generations. But living longer and living well are the triumphs of a civilised society. It is also the future that all generations want for themselves.
Can we change the conversation on ageing? Getting old is tough, but it's also an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and to shape a different future. In this essay, Liz Byrski (author of Last Chance Café and Bad Behaviour) examines the adventure of growing old in the twenty-first century: the new possibilities, the joy and the sorrow of solitude, the reality of grief and loss and the satisfaction of having travelled so far.
In a culture that advocates the pursuit of endless youth and physical beauty how can we embrace the reality, the pleasures and the rewards of getting on? And what does the 'fight against ageing' mean when all women must eventually face the double-standard of ageism and sexism?
Once past fifty, older women begin to sense that they have become invisible. From the visual displays in the mall to the pages of magazines and the television screens at the heart of our homes, young women with perfect skin, bouncy, enhanced breasts, pouting lips, long straight hair and perfect teeth gaze down on us.
The ageing population is traditionally viewed as a problem; a drain on financial resources, health, housing and community services and a burden on younger generations. But living longer and living well are the triumphs of a civilised society. It is also the future that all generations want for themselves.
Can we change the conversation on ageing? Getting old is tough, but it's also an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and to shape a different future. In this essay, Liz Byrski (author of Last Chance Café and Bad Behaviour) examines the adventure of growing old in the twenty-first century: the new possibilities, the joy and the sorrow of solitude, the reality of grief and loss and the satisfaction of having travelled so far.
- GenresNonfiction
102 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2012
19 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Liz Byrski
30 books199 followersLiz Byrski is a writer and broadcaster with more than 40 years experience in the British and Australian media. She is the author of eleven non-fiction books and five novels, and her work has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines.
In the nineties Liz was a broadcaster and executive producer with ABC Radio in Perth and later an advisor to a minister in the Western Australian State Government; she now lectures in Professional and Creative Writing at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, and has PhD in writing with a focus on feminist popular fiction.
Liz was born in London and spent most of her childhood in Sussex. As an only child she spent a lot of time alone, much of it buried in books. She began her working life as a secretary and later moved into journalism working as a reporter on a local newspaper until she took up freelance writing when her children were born. Before moving to Western Australia she also worked as an appeals organiser for Oxfam.
After moving to Perth with her family in 1981 she once again established a freelance career writing for Australian publications including The Australian, Homes and Living, Cosmopolitan and Weekend News.
Liz lives between Perth and Fremantle and in addition to enjoying the company of family and friends, she spends most of her time reading, writing and walking. She has two adult sons and twin grandsons.
In the nineties Liz was a broadcaster and executive producer with ABC Radio in Perth and later an advisor to a minister in the Western Australian State Government; she now lectures in Professional and Creative Writing at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, and has PhD in writing with a focus on feminist popular fiction.
Liz was born in London and spent most of her childhood in Sussex. As an only child she spent a lot of time alone, much of it buried in books. She began her working life as a secretary and later moved into journalism working as a reporter on a local newspaper until she took up freelance writing when her children were born. Before moving to Western Australia she also worked as an appeals organiser for Oxfam.
After moving to Perth with her family in 1981 she once again established a freelance career writing for Australian publications including The Australian, Homes and Living, Cosmopolitan and Weekend News.
Liz lives between Perth and Fremantle and in addition to enjoying the company of family and friends, she spends most of her time reading, writing and walking. She has two adult sons and twin grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 5, 2013
An essay by my current favourite author Liz Byrski. This essay makes transparent what it means to be a woman and ageing in a culture where the pressure is paramount to stay forever young.
The author talks elegantly and thoughtfully about the physical, sexual and emotional challenges we face as we age, but also explores what it means to age, to find meaning in our lives and most of all to live well.
For me this essay has opened up new ways to talk about things that have been lurking unexpressed in the back of my consciousness for some time.
The author talks elegantly and thoughtfully about the physical, sexual and emotional challenges we face as we age, but also explores what it means to age, to find meaning in our lives and most of all to live well.
For me this essay has opened up new ways to talk about things that have been lurking unexpressed in the back of my consciousness for some time.
October 28, 2018
Getting old gracefully is not a mistake, its a privilege.
Best quote:
"I'm at best at home, surrounded by the familiarity of my favorite things, particularly my books and the bits of technology that keep me in touch with the world. To be heading towards seventy with the prospect of continuing to do what I most enjoy is a privilege," (Byrski: 2012:54)
Best quote:
"I'm at best at home, surrounded by the familiarity of my favorite things, particularly my books and the bits of technology that keep me in touch with the world. To be heading towards seventy with the prospect of continuing to do what I most enjoy is a privilege," (Byrski: 2012:54)
December 2, 2014
Thoughtful and thought provoking
Worth the time and the emotional digging.
Why on earth should I need to use thirteen more words when seven was enough!
Worth the time and the emotional digging.
Why on earth should I need to use thirteen more words when seven was enough!
September 6, 2023
Short collection of reflections on what ageing means for women in today's society. Nothing particularly new or fresh although it never hurts to be reminded of how alienating an experience it is to be an ageing woman in a world obsessed with youth and impossible standards of beauty or how self-defeating it is for older women to be drawn into this futile fight against the inevitable. The "embrace your wrinkles" message is one that's hardly revelatory but nevertheless one every woman panicking about the encroaching years needs to heed.
August 15, 2024
As i read the short book, I understood how she feels, as I guess it's pretty much the same for me - but I've never tried to verbalise it all.
I'm glad the friends I have don't see the saggy bits, the flabby bits, the lines, the grey hairs - they continue to see me as just that - me!
I'm glad the friends I have don't see the saggy bits, the flabby bits, the lines, the grey hairs - they continue to see me as just that - me!
June 12, 2019
Very small collection of author’s thoughts on ageing, many of which resonated with me.
February 20, 2021
Everything Liz Byrski said about aging hit home.
January 5, 2023
For women tired of trying to be young; embrace aging and the freedoms it brings.
November 7, 2015
Ok. Enjoyable. Interesting field of research.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews