While browsing through some articles in the New York Times, I noticed several that dealt with age. As a matter of fact, one was entitled "Age Becomes the New Race and Gender". The articles were comparing the ages of former U.S. presidents to the ages of the two presidential candidates, the age gap between the two candidates, and what effect it would have on the results of the election.
Anyway, the articles reminded me of a problem I have been dealing with at work for the past several weeks. As a golf professional, I am responsible for the operation of the golf shop and golf course and the supervision of all employees associated with it. The employees range in age from approximately 17-60. My age is 22. I have the respect of all the employees except for two. Namely, the youngest and the eldest. The youngest lacks respect because we are close in age and appears to be somewhat immature and the eldest feels that since she is older than I am and has worked there longer, she should be in charge. She continually barks orders at me in a very rude and disrespectful manner and becomes annoyed when I don't do what she orders. I have told her tactfully, on several occasions, who is in charge and that we work as a team. Being tactful is becoming very difficult! However, I have taken steps with the GM to resolve this problem.
Although I am only 22 years old, I have the credentials and the ability to perform this job. Even though this employee is older than I am and has worked there longer, she does not hold the same credentials as I do. Therefore, she is not qualified for this position. Age is not a factor. And now that I have vented, thank you....lol!
It is a shame how society has become so stereotyped. "Relying on stereotypes can lead us to overlook important qualities of individuals and to perceive them only in terms of what we consider common to a general category"(Wood, p. 123).
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3 comments:
John,
This story is, as you say, stereotypical. That older person whether its a man or a women is not going to change now, not at that age. Hey, I think I just made a stereotypical response to age! Oh well, thats been my experience anyway. The best thing to do is what you are doing, handling it tactfully and in a friendly manner. She will eventually come around. Wait for the best moments to try to get thru to her. It may eventually work. As far as the younger guy, he'll come around as he matures. Continue to set an example. If that doesn't work wait till he's walking down a fairway, tee one up and break out 'Big Bertha'. (just kidding)
Ha don't you just want to smack the crap out of her sometimes? If you have more credentials for the job than bam, that makes you the boss. It doesn't matter that you are younger, but I do notice that older people have a hard time when people younger than them are in charge. They feel that because they are older that they don't have to listen to you because they think they know more. I am one of the youngest at my job and I get the same thing alot. People dont listen to what I have to say in staff meetings or if I tell them something that has to be done, they kinda brush me off like oh whatever. If you have to remind her once in awhile whose boss, than thats what ya gotta do. It doesn't make you rude at all, its her own fault for not respecting you.
Sound like you are handling it all well. I see the age discrimination factor being played out now in the Presidential election. Shouldn't experience count for something here? Obaama seems like he means well, but has no real experience outside community activitism. He was a state senator and now a US senator still in his first term. C'mon..didn't we all at one time, tell our parents that they were right? I wonder if Hillary had been the candidate if they would have really made an issue of her gender...and would that message been louder than McCain's age?
We shouldn't genderalize at all, is the bottom line. I have read so many posts of students that have learned this important lesson. Look past the stereotypes and take each person as the individual that they are.
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