Combatting Ageism at a Young Age

Eligibility: 18–30. We are sorry, but you cannot apply; please apply when you turn 18. The number of times I have seen or heard this is countless. People say that young people shouldn't be affected by such matters as they have their entire lives ahead and should be thankful for what they have, but I disagree. For me, ageism has obstructed me multiple times from applying for an opportunity that would otherwise have been an excellent fit for me. Passing all the selection rounds but then getting rejected when I share my age has had an impact on me, but I do not let it get to me due to the support system I have built around me. Rather, I believe in the power of getting back up stronger with every rejection that comes in. No one deserves to be discriminated against based on their age, race, or other demographics, whether younger or older. Comments like "It's only to protect you" will come. But young people can always be accompanied by a guardian when they take part in programs. It depends on how organizations create safe learning environments for all. I hope to see a world in the future where everyone can be a part of society and have equal opportunities. A world where young people can take part in professional development opportunities without worrying about getting rejected due to their age.

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Is a woman of a certain age still interested in sex?

Six years ago on the occasion of my seventieth birthday, I published a column about the passage of time in a forum for doctors. One man asked me: sorry to ask, but I'm curious, does a woman of a certain age still feel any sexual desire? I wrote back: Why do you write "still" about sex? Sex is the same life function as other functions. Doctors should use arguments based on Evidence-Based Medicine, so I find interesting reports in Medline: Older Women in New Romantic Relationships: Understanding the Meaning and Importance of Sex in Later Life by W.K. Watson et al. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 14 women between the ages of 64 and 77 about their sexuality in their older years. Even though sex might not have held the same priority as when they were younger, it held a place of importance in their romantic relationships – the author wrote as a conclusion. My summary for a curious man was: a woman is also a human being who is kept alive by a set of the same vital functions that occur in men. The number of breaths, the heart rate, the length of sleep, the effects of digestion, and finally sexual activity are all individually variable, but this is a set that we all have at our disposal. Defects happen in both sexes and are not necessarily age-related.

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