THE COPY FILES

Aging with Attitude: A Closer Look at Ageism and Sexism

When acting your age means strutting through your golden years

Image created by Author using Bing Powered by Dall-E 3

I’m not the biggest fan of Thanksgiving, which was celebrated last week here in the U.S. It always represented more family stress than joy, so I opt out as much as possible.

Despite playing in the high school band for years and attending every game, I’m even less of a football fan. I just could never understand the plays. All the stopping and starting just didn’t hold my interest.

Had it not been for Google knowing me so well and populating my feed with Dolly Parton in a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading outfit, I would not have remembered football was even played on turkey day let alone the teams or half-time attractions.

Oh Dolly

I grew up listening to Dolly Parton and even had one of her records and a Barbie doll in her likeness. My mom was a huge country music fan, so that’s all I heard until I discovered other music existed in my teens.

I’ve grown to love and respect Dolly. She’s one of those rare gems that seems honest and genuine.

She recently made history with her Rockstar album, which became her highest-charting LP ever at number 3 on the charts. It’s hard to believe she’s still breaking records and making history at nearly 80 years young.

I’ve listened to all of its songs, and my favorite one is her duet “I Want You Back” with Steven Tyler. I’ve heard that on a loop so many times I’ve lost count over the past few weeks.

Inching closer to 80, she still looks and sounds amazing. Sorry DJ Hopkins, but in this case, the word is warranted!

Football, Dolly and halftime

Being the brilliant businesswoman she is, it was no surprise she was chosen to perform at the halftime show.

https://youtu.be/sFE6SNXoZuE?si=d4c3Esi5PoWIiXBG (You can see the entire halftime show here. I wasn’t able to embed it)

However, what did seem to shock people was her outfit. She sported the iconic cheerleading tight top and shorts of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. It was over a bodysuit, but she rocked it, looking phenomenal.

It didn’t take long for the haters to start doing what they do best. There were tweets and commentary that Dolly should act her age. Whoopi from the View explained exactly what those folks needed to do when she told them to “Bite Me!”

Two things are occurring here: sexism and ageism.

Rock legends Kiss have been touring the world this year in full make-up like they did in the 70s. The two founding members and leads, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were never told to grow up and act the way men in their 70s should.

No one is telling 80-year-old Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones to stop strutting his tiny bum on stage in his tight pants and flamboyant tops.

Instead of celebrating Dolly for looking sexy as she nears 80 like Gene, Paul, and Mick, she’s told to act her age.

What does that even mean?

Should she sit at home knitting in old lady pajamas with a herd of cats?

I’m praying I’m still alive at 77, mobile, and can remember how to use the bathroom.

I’m not sure why society finds the need to comment on how women look at any age. But let’s get real, hating on Dolly for fearlessly strutting her stuff as she approaches 80, looking as good as she does? That’s just plain wrong, in my opinion!

As far as I’m concerned, she’s earned the right to act however she wants. We should all take a page from her music notebook.

So, the next time you wonder if you should or shouldn’t do something, ask yourself: What would Dolly do?

P.S. — If you liked this article, follow and subscribe to get email notifications whenever I publish.

P.P.S. — Follow me on Twitter or connect with me on LinkedIn