I'm a grandmother. And I love books - so maybe, I thought, I could pass the link on to a daughter or two? And then I looked more closely.
It seems that grandmothers have limited interests: We may drool over scenic views, or flowers, or gardening, or knitting. We long to know about celebrities - older celebrities, of course: Cilla Black, Lawence Olivier, Joan Collins. We need a book about caring for an older dog. We long to remind ourselves of our time in the Land Army (my mother, who died almost twenty years ago, told great tales of her time in the Land Army).
Also included: just one novel set in Africa - presumably for the eccentric Granny in the corner who was a bit of a hippy in her youth.
Phew? Is it okay to include just one book for older women who might think outside the old-lady stereotype? Women who might be having a wonderful time before sinking into the corner with their cocoa?
No, it isn't.
No, it isn't.
And so here, Mr or Ms Book-link person, is my reply:
Grandmothers are wonderful: we are besotted with our grandchildren and will play hide and seek as long as our knees survive. AND - we are free-thinking, independent women who are interested in everything: gardening, animals, politics, the arts, theatre, the glorious possibilities of different cultures, poetry, travel, history, architecture, archeology, botany, astronomy, particle physics, the life cycle of the flea ...
So how about replacing Knit your Own Britain (that's not a joke - check the link) with books that are daring and different and reflect the reality that OLDER WOMEN ARE AS DIVERSE AS ANY OTHER GROUP IN THE POPULATION.
Well said, Jo!
ReplyDeleteFrom Miriam, who is not a grandmother but could have been, and who hasn't knitted for years and probably can't remember how to (she's not proud of that).
Would be grandmothers - I'm sure you suffer from stereotyping as much as those of us with grandchildren, so thanks for your support.
DeleteI was rather hoping when I followed that link (I'm not a granny but I like knitting) that it would be a book of patterns for things like the Houses of Parliament, or maybe Stonehenge. But it's for dolls of David and Victoria Beckham and Henry VIII and so on.
ReplyDeleteI work in marketing (yes - I KNOW!) and once took an instant dislike to a new boss (foisted on me by higher management) who used the phrase 'older people in their forties and fifties'. I was 48 at the time. Wasn't sure whether to be flattered because he thought I was younger than that, or insulted because he didn't care about calling me an older person. Some people are just stupid.
Yes, some people are stupid - and surely marketing people are missing a huge trick. Older women are a significant demographic - so surely they makes more sense to exploit our diversity rather than lump us all into the old lady bracket.
DeleteYes!! Absolutely spot on, Jo. And this type of prejudice lurks in many corners, I find. As a grandmother with a wide variety of interests, (who can't knit to save herself), I find it patronising and offensive when such assumptions are made. Like many of my generation, I took myself off to University in my 50s, did women's studies, history, etc, and loved every minute of it, and now work in my chosen field. Off now to do a spot of research...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia - I do knit, and have done so for about 40 years - and I travel and I write and I don't want to spend Christmas in the corner conforming to the dreadful stereotype.
DeleteOh well said, Jo!! I'm not a grandmother yet, although I'm at the age when I could easily be, but I cannot even begin to think of myself in the terms that so many 'senior citizens' services seem to see anyone over 50. Like you, I have far too many places to go, things to do and accomplish (not to mention the studies I am currently doing). Most grannies i know now are like you too - feisty, spunky and ready to go! Grans rock! They might knit as well, but they're certainly not ready for retirement from life!
ReplyDeleteGrans rock!! Maybe I should print that off and stick it to my fridge!
DeleteI'm not a Gran and can't knit (though I defend my right to try without being consigned to the rubbish dump of old age should I wish to try). I had a conversation with a young PR a few years ago when she was advocating cups of tea and garden tours for everyone over the age of 45 that went roughly along these lines. "My 75 year old parents are currently in a long boat somewhere on the Amazon. Last year they went to the Himalayas. The current crop of baby boomer grandparents invented rock music, free love, feminism and the Hippy Trail. Most of them have eaten, drunk, smoked and tried things that you wouldn't dream about. Now stop patronising them and plan trips they actually want to do - wild, exciting but with one eye on the arthritis!"
ReplyDeleteI,like you Jo will never feel old, I refuse to. I love being a gran but it is only a name that recognises you as part of that child's family and not because of your age. I do hop you send a copy of this to the company who sent the email.
ReplyDeleteGoodness - it doesn't get any better does it? When will advertisers realise that our interests are diverse over 50 as they are under 50 - perhaps even more so as many of us find we have more time to explore them! I have so many things I want to do - knitting Britain is not high on the list. We are too lively a generation to be consigned to rocking chairs. When my father turned 70 we bought him flying lessons (budget wouldn't quite stretch to a plane!). Perceptions of age and ageing certainly need to change!
ReplyDeleteYAAAAY! Well said, and I totally agree. I love being a grandmother, but I'm not ready to stop enjoying life's adventures just because someone has the audacity to call me "elderly." (The NERVE!)
ReplyDeleteHurray! In fact, I think I'll get my motorcycle license when I turn 70. Great post, Jo!
ReplyDeleteGoodness - I have touched a nerve, haven't I? Thank you all for your support. Good to know there are hordes of us refusing to retire to the corner with our cocoa.
ReplyDeleteWell Jo, you've set the cat among the elderly pigeons haven't you? I'm not a granny yet...but have a grand dog already, so am hoping...but like you all I become incandescent with rage when I hear the absolute drivel that's spouted about women in their forties, fifties and beyond.
ReplyDeleteI hear so much of it at work where all the bright things are....I retaliate by calling them the newschildren....
Knit your own Britain! Hilarious if it wasn't true. Well done for blowing the whistle on them.
DeleteGood for you! None of our group is a typical gran - particularly not you with your travels....do they do 'books for grandads'? I think not. I thought we had long passed the little old lady stage!! Grans Lib!!
ReplyDelete