"I’m not a quiet woman": an intersectional analysis of gender, class, and ageism in the Canadian workplace
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Abstract
This paper examines how ageism intersects with other forms of social inequality – particularly gender and class – in shaping the lived experiences of older workers (55+) in Canada. Based on semi-structured interviews with 10 older adults, the findings reveal that ageism rarely occurs in isolation. Participants described how their age was entangled with gendered expectations, workplace hierarchies, and economic vulnerabilities. Several women detailed the dual burden of being both older and female in a youth- and male-dominated workforce, while others noted the emotional toll of staying in physically demanding jobs due to financial necessity. Although a small number of participants identified as racialised, the data did not support an in-depth analysis of racialised ageism. However, some white participants explicitly acknowledged how their racial privilege insulated them from additional layers of discrimination. This insight reinforces the importance of intersectionality in policy design, even when a study’s racial data are limited. By situating these narratives within the broader literature on workplace inequality, the study offers an intersectionality informed analysis and calls for targeted policy interventions that address ageism in tandem with gender and class-based exclusion.
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