Women of a Certain Age and the Enduring Negativity

Henley's Associate Professor in Organisational Behaviour, Tatiana Rowson comments on negative attitude towards women in midlife, following TV broadcaster Gregg Wallace scandal.

Recent comments made by TV presenter Gregg Wallace about "women of a certain age" in an attempt to defend himself have sparked widespread criticism. His tone and assumptions, widely interpreted as pejorative, highlight a broader societal issue: the persistent negative bias surrounding women in midlife. As someone who has spent years researching ageing, gendered ageism, and menopause, I see this as an opportunity to reflect on how midlife women are positioned in society.

In my research on how menopause has been framed in news media over the past decade, we found that women of menopausal age are frequently portrayed as dysfunctional, emotional, and unpredictable. These representations positions women in midlife as “the dangerous other”. Such framing has real-world consequences. It reinforces stereotypes that can discredit and disadvantage women in all areas of their lives, making it harder for them to speak up when issues, such as those raised by Wallace’s comments, arise.

Encouragingly, the backlash against Wallace’s remarks suggests a cultural shift. Reactions from social media, the press, and women themselves indicate that the public is increasingly rejecting outdated notions of midlife women as undesirable, troublesome, or irrelevant. The strength of this response even prompted Wallace to issue a public apology – a sign of changing societal attitudes.

While this progress is heartening, much work remains to ensure women’s status in society is never questioned. Instead, we should celebrate the diversity all women bring, along with the life experience and wisdom that only “a certain age” can offer. It is long overdue that we shift the narrative to position midlife women as an asset, rather than a liability.

In Wallace’s case, we see the importance of empowering women—not only of a certain age but of all ages—to speak up. By giving women a voice without the risk of being discredited, potential issues can be identified and dealt with sooner and far more effectively.