Age before beauty..

It used to be that the older you are, the wiser you are, but it would seem that nowadays age holds no relevance. In a world where women are facing an everyday battle to maintain their youth, it seems that getting older is every woman’s nightmare. But it is not just a woman’s looks that are under threat, more and more women are seeing their careers put on hold as a much younger version of themselves waltzes in to replace them. Last year for example saw the sacking of Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips for the much younger Alesha Dixon. Following this Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley soon found her daytime radio show moved to a later time in place of teenage icon Fearne Cotton.

So why are more and more professional women seeing their jobs under threat just because of their age? In our image conscious society it appears to be presumed that the younger the woman, the better image a company/product receives. More often than not a younger woman is brought in by a male employer and with a specific purpose, to appeal to the clients. In other words experience is out of the window and instead that leggy blonde who interns in your office could be waltzing off with your Christmas bonus, and your job.

There is hope however. The sacking of Arlene Phillips off Strictly Come Dancing caused uproar among women everywhere. Alesha Dixon faced criticism over her judging skills, with many comparing her limited knowledge of dancing with her predecessor Arlene’s experience. Celebrity icons such as Helen Mirren, Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon have also proved that there is no shortage of successful older women. Winning Oscars, and being photographed in bikinis on the beach, they show us that no matter what age you can be hugely successful and glamorous in your career. It would seem that the tables are turning. Perhaps soon being older will not be a curse, but instead will be a privilege.