What is it with Age Discrimination?

[mmvnn]

Age Discrimination is very much real. Mostly, in the workforce, but with relationships as well. Why do we judge a person because of their age? Who ever said age makes a person mature? From what I've learned throughout life, it's your experiences that make you mature. Yet, Age Discrimination is probably the most underrated problem that happens in America without any awareness of it. I am 20 years old and I am an entrepreneur. I get pushed off to the side by many colleagues because they see me vs all the other aged entrepreneurs. What's your take on this?

[shellyp]

I'm also a entrepreneur and all of my business partners that are older than me, even if it's just by a year, treat my opinions and concerns like crap. Any idea I have is not good or just hard to duplicate (I hate the work duplication because of them now). But I'm over here selling more, working harder, actually treating my customers like humans, but to them I'm not cocahable or a team player. I'm a rebellious little kid in their eyes and yeah it pisses me off, but I use that to be better than them so I can be petty and throw their words back in their face 'when you have enough experience like me, you'll understand ' Age discrimination makes no sense than me, but unfortunately we have to deal with it.

[mmvnn]

It has its pros and cons. One day I'm getting complimented about how impressive I am for my young age, but mostly I deal with the unprofessionalism of colleagues who are judgmental and it does affect my business because I am always trying to grow.

[shellyp]

I know exactly what you mean, last year I had to break away from my partners because I couldn't handle how negative and toxic they were. It got so bad I had no motivation to do anything and I hated the business and I almost quit. I realized I may screw up a lot on my own but at least I'll have the creative freedom I need to grow and flourish. And I've been grinding every since and they always try to call me and say I'm a bad example and I need to come back, but I love saying on well, if I fail miserably I'd rather do it because of me and not the Damn duplication

[Awkwardyunyoo]

I understand your point of view but no matter how mature you are, they have something that we, the younger people, don't. That is experience. They are in the wrong to look down on you on the other hand, since both of you guys are workig together so in the ideal, both of you should be equal no matter the age right? Furthermore, we, the younger people, have a different point of view and may be even more flexible that the older people lose with age most of the time. Still, respect your elders since they lived longer and have been through things that you don't even start to imagine, though respect should be returned. :)

[Jeni2fast]

You realize that when people usually talk about age discrimination, it's against old people right? Most of our working lives, we'll feel it the other way. Not that it's ever OK...

[djfantom333]

better than race? age has to do with experience in many cases. Thats why managers take the new guys opinion with a grain of salt. (new guy is usually the younger ones)

[mmvnn]

Age doesn't have anything to do with experience. What a person endures is not because of age. Us millenials may be young but not all of us are uneducated. To take a whole generation and shove off their ideas based on their age is wrong. You referred to the retail business. Yes, many millenials in the retail business are uneducated. But their ignorance has nothing to do with age. It has to do with their laziness.

[djfantom333]

actually many are ignorant due to the lack of time they have been in the field. it's a true stereotype in many circumstances except yours. Sadly you get sucked into it.

[djfantom333]

you won't ever catch me saying it's right. But that's the reason. if they won't listen to you at all it's not you usually. normally it's the manager not being a good manager, supervisor, or whatever. regardless of the field if you are the new man on campus you the label of newborn who knows nothing. just work through it and take every opportunity to prove them otherwise that you can.

[Anonymous]

It's very real. Have you seen how cocky these adults are just cause of their age? Lol

[Anonymous]

Is your business successful?

[mmvnn]

It's steadily growing. Yes.

[Opinion Owner]

Well fuck everyone else. Just focus on your business and yourself. Them respecting you, won't make your business any money.

[Dred1614returns]

Age=experience

[mmvnn]

Tell that to the hundreds of old people with Alzheimer's.

[Dred1614returns]

How is that relevant? They aren't members of the workforce.

[Dred1614returns]

And any old person has more experience than you or I.

[mmvnn]

I digress. That wasn't relevant. As far as life experience, age matters. But as far as knowledge experience, age means nothing. I know more about computers, phones, and every electronic gadgets out there than my grandparents will ever know. Henceforth, my grandma knows more about knitting than I ever care to know or learn about.

[Dred1614returns]

Right, and a 50 year old entrepreneur knows a lot more than a 20 year old entrepreneur.

[mmvnn]

Doesn't change the fact that I am a businessman just like him. So what I have to bring to the table should be treated with equal amount of respect as what he has to bring to the table. Not shoved off and gone unheard.

[Dred1614returns]

You're entitled to respect, I think everyone agrees with that. Just don't be surprised when you're glossed over because of your lack of experience. That doesn't mean you're not respected, it just means that you're inexperienced.

[mmvnn]

That's the point I'm trying to make. What I have to offer shouldn't go unheard of in the first place. I know age discrimination is going to happen. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm inexperienced. I'm not too inexperienced because I've traveled many places and expanded my business and learned the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur.

[bingbongbangbung]

What good is all that experience when they can never access it