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Social Workers can start by providing education to clients in regards to the double standard of aging. In addition to advocating for the older population.

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use psychoeducation group to inform community about double standard between and women.

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social workers can encourage and provide psychoeducation to their clients to help minimize the double standard of aging. The stereotyping/discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age/look needs to be minimized.

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We need to promote self-love for women in their midlife. Ageism is not acceptable!

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I think as social workers we need to educate people on how women are impacted based on "lookism" and society's beauty standards. Age discrimination is becoming a problem in the workforce and in other places. We need to make changes by continuing to value women for their work and intelligence not just their beauty or looks. Maybe I am bias because I am a woman, but according to research women tend to experience more stress which also affects them emotionally, physically and mentally.

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Stacey, you bring up a valid point, although you mention bias is involved it is true that women tend to experience higher levels of stress than men. Speaking as a male I have seen this gender divide first hand in the work place as I have progressed much faster through the ranks than my counter parts who have been there longer.

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As a male social worker, I can advocate for women by educating others about society's double standard on aging. Bringing awareness to the issue is the first step towards change.

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I think we need to make sure that we are challenging these messages when speaking with our clients. Making sure that we are pushing equality between men and women on all levels (micro, mezzo, and macro) and continue noticing these double standards so that we can change them, not just in the media but also internally.

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Ageism affects women differently compared to men since women are judged more harshly. For example, older women are persuaded to dye their hair and get plastic surgery to cover up the fact that they are aging. It is important as social workers that we continue to encourage our clients to challenge these ideas. On a micro level it is important for us to advocate for our clients when the double standard of aging happens.

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I think it's important to reframe the way we talk and think about aging. For example, we say things such as "she looks great for her age" which can be harmful to women as it reinforces ageism. The media also plays into this as anti-aging products are advertised to get rid of wrinkles and look more "youthful." As the older adult population is rapidly growing, social workers should seek ways to help out in different settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, veteran services, hospice, etc.

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first of all, the idea that there is a double standard surrounding aging between men and women is problematic in itself because that insinuates that there are only two things one can be: a man, or a woman. I think that approaching aging with more neutrality for all humans - regardless the gender is the first step. As a social worker we can provide support groups for those entering aging stage. We can challenge our clients and our coworkers comments that feed to the double standard (ie: gray hair attractive on men but unwanted on women). also so important that we continue to do our own research

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At the micro level, we can explain to our clients that aging is a normal and beautiful part of life while removing the negative stigmas behind aging. We can encourage self-care and health over unrealistic and harmful beauty standards. At the macro level, we can challenge societal expectations and help promote campaigns that show real women and men in their natural bodies. Encouraging funding in organizations that do not filter bodies or promote anti-aging rhetoric can help us all age comfortably and confidently.

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As a social worker psychoeducation is key. Men and Women are very unique and powerful and the media plays a huge role on self-image. Aging is a part of life just like growth and should be respected as so. Aging tells a story just like scars. I believe social media should eliminate picture filters for a short period of time to eliminate unrealistic standards.

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As social workers there are many ways we can work towards debunking the double standard of aging. On a micro scale, I think it's important to challenge these thoughts/beliefs directly (asking our clients to look for login in their own thoughts about this when appropriate) and educating about the pop culture that feeds us these ideas. "Feminism and Pop Culture" by Andi Zeisler is an excellent read if anyone is interested. Also, crush the patriarchy ;)

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I think it is important for social workers to educate the community about the double standard of aging. It is unfortunate we see the double standard of aging in media. By bringing awareness to this issue, we can change the message.

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i think some steps social workers can take is reflecting on their own perspectives and how they perpetuate ageism and sexism.

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Older women have a lot of strengths and wisdom that can be of use to younger women when it comes to coping with a lot of the challenges women face throughout their lifespans. Postmenopausal women and/or retired women have had to walk through issues like raising children, seeing children grow up/move on, going through menopause, experiencing changes in romantic relationships over time, working in and against professional settings that potentially undervalue them. The lessons learned by these women, their experiences, could help younger women walk through similar challenges more effectively. But I guess my response is really missing an actual environment for this sort of dialogue to occur -- perhaps this could be support group/group therapy/social group settings. I'm not really sure.

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I think that as social workers we should be able to reflect on our own thoughts and perspectives and also try to teach others that aging is a part of life that it is beautiful and that is nothing to be afraid of. It is a sign that life was lived and that the stigmas behind aging can affect the way we view it. We need to advocate for women by educating about the double standards of aging.

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As social workers, it's important to check our own competence surrounding ageism and the vitality it has on our society, and hold ourselves accountable to any bias that we may unknowingly perpetrate. This way we can begin to properly model the appropriate behavior to both our clients and the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to challenge any stereotypes displayed or heard, behaviors, or patronizing comments and bring awareness of double standard of ageism. It is also just as crucial to psychoeducate adolescents as it is to psychoeducate adults in order to break the cycle of society standards with beauty and ageism.

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I think openly speaking about the aging double standards can help clients. If they're given the space to learn and process how society treats women vs. men, then they can become aware of the messaging they're receiving daily.

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I think as social workers we can alleviate the stressors associated with midlife by encouraging positive coping skills and strength-based therapy to develop the ability within the individual to manage transitional periods. Targeting these stressors highlighted in the article, we can positively impact life satisfaction and improve family strains. Ageism is a complex subject matter. Providing psychoeducation (when appropriate) about the potential roadblocks one may face can be empowering to the participant.