Why I found this argument condescending
I realise that, in her piece this morning The Generational Divide that will Shape this Federal Election, Sydney Morning Herald senior economics writer, Jessica Irvine didn't intend to be condescending, ageist and to make life more difficult for older women.
But that’s exactly what she did.
Her description of the Australian population over perhaps the age of 55, (Jessica didn’t specify), as “oldies” is particularly ageist. But her depiction of us gobbling up privileged government handouts like lollies is as inaccurate as it is hurtful.
“Don’t get me wrong. Some of my favourite people are oldies. And even they are increasingly baffled by the government largesse they currently enjoy versus what younger people can expect,” Jessica explained.
Her evidence for this opinion is also trite and inaccurate. Jessica obliquely refers to the seniors Opal card as $2 (it is $2.50) and subsidised pharmaceutical benefits for pensioners, who if 65 without superannuation also receive a basic weekly income of around $417.
But Jessica goes further and draws another disdainful comparison between her generation and the one I, just by my date of birth, occupy.
“Those of us on the younger side of this generational divide have come to view taxes not as a self-serving piggy bank we get to break open one day, but as an annual contribution we make to helping those less fortunate than us. We don’t expect to get the money back,” she states bluntly.
Despite referring to the Anti Discrimination Act later in her piece, what Jessica hasn’t revealed are some of the harsh and unrelenting economic conditions many seniors and in particular women try to manage daily:
1. Increasing homelessness for women over 55 who are without jobs and superannuation
2. Uncompromising gender and age discrimination within the Australian workplace
3. A Sydney rental market which is unaffordable for people on lower incomes
Jessica and her editorial peers are in a privileged positions, with an opportunity to shine a light on inequality and lift up those who are disadvantaged rather than entrench stereotypes.
Now, that would be in the public interest for the looming election.
Claire Moffat is a senior business journalist and editor. She has written for The Sydney Morning Herald, BRW and other leading publications. She also pioneered Australia’s first digital news service for the consumer electronics industry. She is over sixty and has a seniors Opal card.