Dear Cindy, Does Living Longer Combat Ageism?

Before we get into it, quick public service announcement: Did you know I have a personal coaching practice? If you’ve appreciated my advice on here and would like to book a personal coaching session, please email cindy@ifwerantheworld.com for fees and scheduling.

Dear Cindy, I’ve followed you for years and as a 54-year-old woman, appreciate how you speak out against ageism. I’m curious what you think about all the focus on longevity these days. Do you think living longer will change ageist attitudes? Do you want to live longer? Do you do anything longevity-related?

This is a big topic - and I have plenty of thoughts 🙂

First of all, I feel I have longevity.

Because I’m a woman.

It’s a scientific fact that women live longer than men.

‘The difference in life expectancy between men and women increased to 5.8 years in 2021 (the latest year for which data is available), the largest gap since 1996. Today, the average woman lives to approximately age 81, and the average man to approximately age 76, according to recent figures from the CDC.’

I do find it fascinating, though, that the Harvard Health Publishing article I quote that from, ‘Lessons From Women On Longevity: Here’s what you can learn from the opposite sex about living longer’, was written and reviewed by two MEN.

Seriously?

Therein lies another issue.