I’m 68 and found the blatant ageism and sexism in your article (My husband left me – for an older woman, Family, 25 November) deeply offensive.
The “older woman” (not yet 60) is – God forbid – “still reaching for the henna hair dye despite her advancing years”. She’s “old enough to be my daughter’s grandmother … How insulting, right? And what an outrage! … The humiliation should be devastating.” Of course, the ex cannot be with her because of who she is or because he actually finds her attractive, but because her age means they can be “free of responsibility or restrictions … It is not as if he met the love of his life and had to be true to himself. She was just an escape route”.
As for the older woman: “She must have thought it was her lucky day when a handsome, younger man showed an interest. Maybe she thought she was destined for a life alone, or to be stuck with men of her own generation – with prostate problems and a cosy pair of slippers.” This is such a ridiculous and inaccurate stereotype it would be laughable if it weren’t so insulting. The writer of the article needs to broaden her horizons and her mind.
How ancient is this poor woman, anyway? “More than 10 years older than me”. The other way round, that age gap would be unremarkable. Same old tedious double standard. Shame on you, Guardian, for publishing it.
Sarah Reisz
Talybont, Ceredigion
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