Is Cambridge University right to enforce a retirement age? I think so – who wants to be a ‘job blocker’? | Mary Beard
Some say it’s ageist, and they have a point. But whether in academia or elsewhere, it’s only fair for younger colleagues
- Mary Beard is an author, an honorary fellow of Newnham College and former professor of classics at Cambridge University
What is a “good” and “useful” old age, and how do we ensure it? Ageism is currently one of British culture’s biggest muddles. We rightly deplore turfing senior citizens – at some arbitrary retirement age – on to the scrap heap, their allotments, or towards decades of rail travel visiting the grandkids, courtesy of the Senior Railcard. And we love those doughty old ladies of broadcasting (think Joan Bakewell) who turn up from time to time to run rings around some unfortunate young man of 40. But whatever the rules of any profession, no one fancies having their heart bypass carried out by an 85-year-old. Nor do they want to force a scaffolder up 10 floors of dodgy metalwork much past their mid-60s – or watch a presidential debate in which one candidate can’t get the facts right and the other can’t get out his words.
There’s also the inconvenient truth that sometimes, keeping options open for the elderly can prevent,or delay more junior people getting a proper foothold on the career ladder. Forms of discrimination and fairness sometimes clash. You can see that in the argument over Labour’s proposed introduction of a retirement age of 80 for the House of Lords. Yes, it can be seen as an ageist gesture that would deprive parliament of some of its most experienced voices. But how do we rate the importance of hearing new people and voices, rather than making them wait until they are equally venerable?
Mary Beard is an author, an honorary fellow of Newnham College and former professor of classics at Cambridge University
Continue reading...Date: |
Filter
-
MarketWatch - Business
I’m 40 with two school-age kids. I want to leave my corporate job and live off the interest from my $500,000 investments. Is this a wise move?
“Should I pay off the mortgage or go with the plan to make money through investments?” -
MarketWatch - Business
‘My peers have 10 to 20 times more set aside for retirement’: I’m 67 and have $100,000 saved. I want to retire in three years. Can I do it?
“I’m estimating an income of $3,500 to $3,700 per month from Social Security, and around $750 a month from a pension.” -
The New York Times - Top stories
Martin Mull, Comic Actor Who Rose to Fame on ‘Mary Hartman,’ Dies at 80
Mr. Mull, who was also an artist and a musician, had a long list of credits that included the sitcoms “Roseanne” and “Veep.” -
The New York Times - Top stories
Is Biden Too Old? America Got Its Answer.
Three Opinion writers weigh in on the first presidential debate of 2024.Joe Biden -
The Guardian - World
My in-laws think Keir Starmer is ‘an idiot’. Should I pick a fight? | Ask Philippa
Don’t fall out with these people who, apart from their political views, you really appreciate. The question My partner and I recently had our first child. We live in a one-bedroom flat and money is very tight. The biggest help and support we’ve ... -
CBS Sports - Sports
Bryce James doesn't think LeBron will wait for him to join the NBA before retiring
Bryce is eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft, while his older brother, Bronny, just got draftedNBA -
The Guardian - World
Was Donald Trump, as president, a king? The US supreme court thinks so | Moira Donegan
In ruling that Trump enjoys ‘absolute immunity’ for ‘official acts’ as president, the court has set a disturbing precedent. US supreme court rules Trump has ‘absolute immunity’ for official actsIs the president a king? The US supreme court thinks ... -
The Guardian - World
‘Here I found respect for who I am’: the French citizens who choose to leave
Scores of highly qualified French citizens from Muslim backgrounds have left the country in recent years. Even as she climbed up the corporate ladder in France, Ophélie Rizki’s after-work routine remained unchanged. Each evening as she got into ... -
The Hill - Politics
Geraldo Rivera on Biden's debate performance: 'I wanted to hug him'
Television news pundit Geraldo Rivera said he felt bad for President Biden after watching him debate former President Trump on Thursday night. "It was so dramatic, it was jaw dropping and I felt so badly for our president. I wanted to hug him," ...Joe Biden
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Biden denounces supreme court decision on Trump immunity: ‘He’ll be more emboldened’
In speech from White House, president said ruling ‘undermined the rule of law’ and compared their characters. Joe Biden has issued a full-throated denunciation of the US supreme court’s decision to grant his predecessor, Donald Trump, broad ...Joe Biden -
The Guardian - World
Hurricane Beryl: Caribbean leader calls out rich countries for climate failures as ‘horrendous’ storm makes landfall
Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines calls Cop ‘largely a talk shop’ and beseeches west to honor commitments. The prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has decried a lack of political will in western Europe and the US ...Climate -
The Guardian - World
Portugal and Ronaldo save face as Costa’s shootout heroics sink Slovenia
Apology accepted. In fairness, Cristiano Ronaldo simply does not shirk responsibility and by taking and scoring the first penalty in a shootout victory over Slovenia, the Portugal captain made amends for failing to score his spot kick in extra ... -
The Guardian - World
China’s tech firms vow crackdown on online hate speech after knife attack
Clampdown follows fatal stabbing of Chinese woman who tried to stop attack on Japanese mother and child. China’s internet companies have announced a crackdown on “extreme nationalism” online, particularly anti-Japanese sentiment, after a Chinese ...China -
The Guardian - World
Viktor Orbán expected to make surprise trip to Kyiv on Tuesday
Sources say Hungary’s pro-Russia PM planning to visit president Volodymyr Zelenskiy one day after assuming EU presidency. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán is expected to travel to Kyiv on Tuesday, according to three sources with knowledge of the plans, in a ...