Ageism Subject of Putney Women's Institute Talk

Local MP Fleur Anderson calls for Westminster debate on the issue


Putney WI members pictured before the pandemic

The Putney branch of the Women’s Institute (WI) started off the New Year on 18 January 2021 with the first in its series of online talks. The subject was “Ageism - The Invisible Prejudice in Plain Sight” and the presentation threw a spotlight on the many negative ways in which the “old” are routinely stereotyped in every area of society, and how those stereotypes, over the years, are absorbed into the national psyche, starting with children as early as six years old!

The talk included results from research carried out by a number of organisations, interspersed with many personal anecdotes and other illustrations of age bias which is out there for all to see. The talk provoked a lively discussion amongst the audience, and provided the presenter with yet more examples of ageism. The presenter Janis Humberstone said, “At a time when prejudice is routinely called out, it is shocking to see the way in which Ageism is out there for all to see, yet few seem even to notice it, let alone recognise the proven harm it can cause.”

Putney MP Fleur Anderson is taking an interest in this subject and is calling for a Westminster Hall debate on “Ageism in the Media” and has also proposed to the All Party Parliamentary Group that they have a session on this.

Future meetings of the WI are as follows:

February 15th: BRAD ASHTON: ‘ The Job Of A Laughtime’
March 15th: STEVE ROBERTS: ‘ Protecting Yourself Against Scams And Fraud’
April 19th: SARAH SLATER: ‘Working With The Ghosts At Hampton Court’
May 17th: BELINDA KNOX SPINKS: ‘How To Use Modern Technology’
June 21st: PETER BATTY: ‘Changing Rooms: A Look At How Interiors Have Changed Through The Ages’
July 19th: SARAH LOTT: ‘Why We Should All Capture Our Family Memories’
August – no meeting as there will be an outing or a get-together
September 20th: ROSIE TAYLOR-DAVIES: ‘Looking After Tommy: or What To Do With 9,650 Nightingales’
October 18th: GERALD ALLISON: ‘World War: A Personal Journey’
November 15th: ANTONY WOOD: ‘Our Lost World: Growing Up In The Second Half Of The 20th Century’
December 13th – Christmas Jamboree

The Putney WI was set up in March 2012 by a group of women all wanting the same thing – to make friends, have fun, learn new skills, hear interesting speakers and make a difference to their local community. From ten, it has grown to more than 30, and is always happy to welcome new members.

 

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January 22, 2021