Jason Dasey, an Australian-born TV and radio broadcaster, emcee, journalist, and writer working for ABC News, has recently turned 60. And he is extremely proud of it.

"For me, getting to 60 is a precious moment to be savoured and celebrated and certainly nothing to be ashamed of," said Dasey, adding that he's more than happy to sing his age from the rooftops, rather than changing the subject or ducking sheepishly for cover.

"All the ups and downs, joys and miseries, triumphs and rejections give us a beautiful perspective that even our 50-year-old selves did not have. In theory, if not always in practice, many of the rough edges have been smoothed out by now."

And as he starts the seventh decade of his life, he has been taking the time to reflect on an all-too-common problem he observes among older Aussies – why are so many Australians less-than-jubilant about turning 60?

The report found ageism remains the most accepted form of prejudice in Australia. Credit: Unsplash/Huy Phan.
​

According to research conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, life expectancy in Australia has increased in recent years, with the average Australian expected to live to 82.90 years, slightly ahead of the UK (81.20 years) and the United States (78.79 years).

This is a vast increase from the 1960-1962 period when boys born in those years were expected to live to 67.9 years and girls were expected to live to 74.2 years.

This massive improvement in the country's life expectancy points to how the quality of life is improving for every Aussie.

However, there’s still some noticeable hesitancy when it comes to treating and employing people over the age of sixty, despite the wealth of experience, knowledge and life intelligence they have to offer.

Dasey says there might be a clue in the survey the Australian Human Rights Commission conducted last year, questioning the country's attitude towards older people.

The researchers found that almost 90 per cent of Aussies they talked to believe that ageism exists, 83 per cent say it is a problem, while more than half (63 per cent) had experienced ageism themselves in the past five years.

"They found that most Australians see older people as nice, if frail, onlookers to life, rather than key participants," says Dasey.

Australians see older people as nice, if frail, onlookers to life, rather than key participants. Credit: HCAmag.com.au.
​

"Ageism is arguably the least understood form of discriminatory prejudice, with evidence suggesting it is more pervasive and socially accepted than sexism or racism," said Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson.

The research was undertaken by the Commission in 2020 and 2021 to explore what Australians think about age and ageism across the adult lifespan. It found ageism is experienced in different ways:

• Young adults (18-39) are most likely to experience ageism as being condescended or ignored, particularly at work.
• Middle-aged people (40-61) are most likely to experience ageism as being turned down for a job.
• Older people (62+) are more likely to experience ageism as being ‘helped’ without being asked.

The research also recognised that many outdated expectations of life stages still exist, such as older age being viewed as the time for retirement from paid employment, volunteering, taking up hobbies, travelling, caring for grandchildren and increased dependence.

Dr Patterson hopes that by releasing their report, everyone can be given the time to think about ageism and how it affects them and their loved ones.

"It is incumbent on each of us to discuss these issues and do our bit to bring ageism into mainstream conversations in our workplaces, living rooms, and with our friends," she added.

"Every Australian must do what they can to challenge ageist attitudes in themselves and others, so together we can reduce ageism for Australians of all ages."

"Age is not the problem. Ageism is."

And as the iconic David Bowie once said: "Ageing is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been."

What are your thoughts, folks? Is turning 60 really the sunset stage of life? Or is it a sunrise for new beginnings?

 

[Senor]

Turning 60 is not a problem at all as long as you are healthy. These days a lot of people over 60, who are retired, lead a very active social life doing things that they always wanted to do. I know a few people over 60 who are retired and they are having a time of their life. Obviously the caveat being that one has to have some money and reasonable health to be able to do those fun and responsibility free things.
In some societies older people are respected and their wisdom appreciated. Unfortunately in Australia that may not be the case.
I believe that one should go out and have lots of fun in the third stage of their life. I certainly intend to with lots of things to do in the "spare" time. In fact people who have retired have said to me that they are so busy now that they don't know how they had time to go to work. Food for thought.
Have fun people and do your thing. We only have one life and we are living it.

 

[JayKay]

In 1965, my Grandpa died, aged 75.
It was considered a good age at that time.
In 1996, my Mum died, age 75.
She was far too young.
As I approach this age..... I'm hoping there's no rule set in concrete......

 

[Pat T]

I always thought that retirement was taking it easy. At 74 I help my sister 2 days a week, 18 weeks a year , during busy season, in her shop. 2-3 times a year for 2 weeks stints we look after daughter’s B&B. When we get time we go away in our caravan. Had more time when I worked full time. If one has their health then they can still lead hectic lives pursuing their pleasures.

 

[Ricci]

I thought it was said that 60 is the new 40. At 68 I don't feel any different from how I felt at 20 or 30, sure, some parts creak a little bit louder and the print in books etc is getting smaller but the mind is willing even if the body is a tad more sluggish. Old age is a state of mind.

 

[Leanne01]

Is There An Ageism Issue in Australia?​

Jason Dasey, an Australian-born TV and radio broadcaster, emcee, journalist, and writer working for ABC News, has recently turned 60. And he is extremely proud of it.

​

"For me, getting to 60 is a precious moment to be savoured and celebrated and certainly nothing to be ashamed of," said Dasey, adding that he's more than happy to sing his age from the rooftops, rather than changing the subject or ducking sheepishly for cover.

"All the ups and downs, joys and miseries, triumphs and rejections give us a beautiful perspective that even our 50-year-old selves did not have. In theory, if not always in practice, many of the rough edges have been smoothed out by now."

And as he starts the seventh decade of his life, he has been taking the time to reflect on an all-too-common problem he observes among older Aussies – why are so many Australians less-than-jubilant about turning 60?

The report found ageism remains the most accepted form of prejudice in Australia. Credit: Unsplash/Huy Phan.
​

According to research conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, life expectancy in Australia has increased in recent years, with the average Australian expected to live to 82.90 years, slightly ahead of the UK (81.20 years) and the United States (78.79 years).

This is a vast increase from the 1960-1962 period when boys born in those years were expected to live to 67.9 years and girls were expected to live to 74.2 years.

This massive improvement in the country's life expectancy points to how the quality of life is improving for every Aussie.

However, there’s still some noticeable hesitancy when it comes to treating and employing people over the age of sixty, despite the wealth of experience, knowledge and life intelligence they have to offer.

​

Dasey says there might be a clue in the survey the Australian Human Rights Commission conducted last year, questioning the country's attitude towards older people.

The researchers found that almost 90 per cent of Aussies they talked to believe that ageism exists, 83 per cent say it is a problem, while more than half (63 per cent) had experienced ageism themselves in the past five years.

"They found that most Australians see older people as nice, if frail, onlookers to life, rather than key participants," says Dasey.

Australians see older people as nice, if frail, onlookers to life, rather than key participants. Credit: HCAmag.com.au.
​

"Ageism is arguably the least understood form of discriminatory prejudice, with evidence suggesting it is more pervasive and socially accepted than sexism or racism," said Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson.

The research was undertaken by the Commission in 2020 and 2021 to explore what Australians think about age and ageism across the adult lifespan. It found ageism is experienced in different ways:

• Young adults (18-39) are most likely to experience ageism as being condescended or ignored, particularly at work.
• Middle-aged people (40-61) are most likely to experience ageism as being turned down for a job.
• Older people (62+) are more likely to experience ageism as being ‘helped’ without being asked.

The research also recognised that many outdated expectations of life stages still exist, such as older age being viewed as the time for retirement from paid employment, volunteering, taking up hobbies, travelling, caring for grandchildren and increased dependence.

​

Dr Patterson hopes that by releasing their report, everyone can be given the time to think about ageism and how it affects them and their loved ones.

"It is incumbent on each of us to discuss these issues and do our bit to bring ageism into mainstream conversations in our workplaces, living rooms, and with our friends," she added.

"Every Australian must do what they can to challenge ageist attitudes in themselves and others, so together we can reduce ageism for Australians of all ages."

"Age is not the problem. Ageism is."

And as the iconic David Bowie once said: "Ageing is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been."

What are your thoughts, folks? Is turning 60 really the sunset stage of life? Or is it a sunrise for new beginnings?

 

[Senor]

I thought it was said that 60 is the new 40. At 68 I don't feel any different from how I felt at 20 or 30, sure, some parts creak a little bit louder and the print in books etc is getting smaller but the mind is willing even if the body is a tad more sluggish. Old age is a state of mind.

I absolutely agree that old age, upto a large extent, is a state of mind. If you think you are old then your body and mind will reflect that. My mother-in-law at the age of 65 thought she was old and she sure as heck started looking a lot older. Her whole attitude was old.
Sure as we get older, most of us can't stay up till 2 in the morning partying, but do we want to anymore. We have done all that previously for lots and lots of years.
And yes you are correct that body is tad more sluggish but it is not a race to get everything done. It is a marathon, steady and consistent. I ran a marathon at the age of 59 doing it steadily. I was not sprinting by any stretch of the imagination.
Positive attitude and not trying to compete with our 20-year old self is the key, in my humble opinion.

 

[Leanne01]

At age 66 I still work 5 days a week and drive 110 kms a day (live in Qld and work in NSW) and like to think my mind is still pretty good so nothing annoys me more than younger people speaking down to me like I am a child that doesn't understand, just because I am older. Fortunately I work at a great place and don't experience this bias there.

 

[Joyce]

I'm 81 raising 2 great grand children, and still do school tuck shop each week.

 

[Elbe]

My mum used to say "age is only important to fine wine and cheese & you're neither" ...

but, personally, after one of my best friends died the year we turned 40, I've simply been grateful for every year I am still here to see our children growing up.