Dear Don Lemon! Women Can Work And Succeed At Any Age

Let us start with a question- is there an age limit to achieve success in life? Many would quote the motivational sayings that success can knock at your door at any point, irrespective of time or age. But what if I bring women into the picture? Does the attitude remain the same? Definitely not!

Recently, , GOP Presidential Candidate, who is 51 years old was shamed for her age. On a show, CNN's Don Lemon said, “Nikki Haley isn't in her prime, sorry…A woman is considered to be in her prime in her 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.” He backed his statement with Google research which also considers women’s prime age under 40s.

Lemon’s comment immediately attracted criticism from his co-host and other internet users. One of the users said, "we've all been in that seat next to our male colleague saying stupid things about women."

Don lemon And Nicky Haley Controversy

Even Haley responded to Lemon’s comments saying, “Liberals can't stand the idea of having competency tests for older politicians to make sure they can do the job...BTW it's always the liberals who are the most sexist."

All this banter on age began after Haley announced that she will conduct mental competency tests for politicians who are older than 75, if she is elected.

Now, consider a male politician in Haley’s place. Will he be ever judged on the basis of his age? Will his decisions be devalued just because he is ageing? As a matter of fact, Haley who is just 51 is younger than the ruling President and ex-President of the USA. But no one ever doubted their age as the reason behind their faulty decisions, if any.

In our society, women are judged on the basis of looks, age, colour and other factors of appearance. But they are never judged on the basis of their capabilities. And this is a sad fact because it draws women closer to self-depreciation than to self-empowerment. If a woman is asked to focus on her looks and age to be successful, automatically an older or average-looking woman will feel disappointed despite being more capable. Women will be forced to focus more on looks than on gaining knowledge. And if they get elected as leaders, their lack of knowledge will further push them down. This is how the vicious cycle of gender discrimination entraps women. If a woman tries to conform to societal norms, in the end, she has to taste the dust because of the same norms.

Marry early and then carry a child at a very young and fragile age. Look beautiful and then carry the burden of victim-blaming when harassed. Be submissive and shy and then carry bruises on physical and emotional health.

But how long will women have to chart out their decisions and life according to social norms? How long will social norms dictate what is right and wrong for a woman? Why can’t a woman just be successful because of her capabilities? Why must her age, looks or marital status come in the way?

The best example of women losing their careers after crossing the ‘prime’ age is seen in Bollywood. Many female actors who have crossed their 40s have gone incognito or become invalid for lead roles. While male actors on the other hand still manage to gain leadership roles despite being of the same or older age. Society is ready to accept salt and pepper look on men but no wrinkles or grey hair on women. But why?

Lemon has now apologised for his comment by saying, “A woman's age doesn't define her either personally or professionally. I have countless women in my life who prove that every day." But does one apology erase the damage that has already been done? Being an influential person, Lemon should have thought twice before landing sexist comments on a worldwide platform. Many people who believe in the idea that women cannot work and succeed after a certain age will feel encouraged when leaders hold their back on this. And we cannot bear this loss especially when women are trying to break every glass ceiling coming their way.

So it is our responsibility as fully aware citizens to call out the sexism in society and believe in what is right.

The views expressed are the author's own.

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