Women over 50 are more likely to feel patronised or ignored because of their age while men are treated rudely or aggressively, a new survey has found.
More than one in three middle-aged women said they have been patronised because of their age while 27 per cent felt they had been ignored by others.
By contrast one in five middle-aged men said they had experienced rudeness because of their age and seven per cent have even been treated aggressively, the Age Without Limits survey found.
The poll of more than 2,000 people aged 50 and over also found that men are twice as likely to challenge somebody if they feel they are being treated negatively because of their age than women.
Some 58 per cent of middle-aged women said they would never or rarely challenge somebody if they experienced ageism compared to less than half of men.
The reasons given for not challenging ageist behaviour include embarrassment, a lack of confidence, not wishing to make a scene and not feeling it would make a difference.
The survey, part of the Age Without Limits campaign by the Centre for Ageing Better charity, also found that women are more likely to report ageist treatment in healthcare and retail settings while men find this in the workplace.
Dr Carole Easton, chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, said: ‘Experiencing ageism leaves people feeling patronised, dismissed and ignored which can lead to people changing their behaviours, questioning their worth and limiting their own experiences and opportunities.
‘Everyone has the right to age without limits but age-based prejudice is stopping that from being a reality for many.’
Harriet Bailiss, co-head of the Age Without Limits campaign, said: ‘Our survey finds that the vast majority of people do not always challenge the ageism they experience, for a variety of reasons.
‘It is perfectly understandable that people might feel a bit uncomfortable doing this at first, but it is vitally important that we do if we are to rid society of negative attitudes towards ageing and older people.’