Ageism's role in the generational divide among women

Women across generations are pitted against each other, rather than being given opportunities to lift each other up.

Social media has added fuel to the fire, perpetuating corporate and cultural stereotypes: the younger woman who is too bold or inexperienced, and the older woman who is out of touch and unwilling to adapt.

This narrative doesn’t just create division—it reinforces ageism and the harmful idea that a woman’s age is always a disadvantage. We spoke with five incredible women to explore the roots of the generational divide, the harm it causes, and how we can move forward.

Why does this divide exist in the first place?

Lana Johnston, CEO of Taking it Forward, identifies four key pressures: generational tension caused by competing demands, misunderstandings caused by evolving feminism, harmful stereotypes, and competition for recognition that hinders collaboration.

Kerry Kingham, CEO of The Chooze Shop, who became a CEO later in life, has seen firsthand how ageism deepens these divides. “Outdated expectations, stereotypes, and the narrative that success is limited, creates an environment where women feel they must compete rather than support one another,” Kingham says.

For decades, women in the workforce have been battling for a limited number of opportunities. When there are fewer seats at the table, it’s easy to feel like you have to fight for yours. This is what Hacia Atherton, CEO and Founder of Empowered Women In Trades, calls the scarcity mindset.

“The generational divide between women is rooted in societal conditioning and systemic limitations that pit women against one another,” Atherton explained. “It’s easy to see other women as threats rather than allies. Success for one can feel like a loss for another.”

Stacey Dowson, Managing Partner at Dowson Turco Lawyers, highlighted how this scarcity mindset plays out at the top.

“Women who’ve made it to the top sometimes feel it’s not their responsibility to give others a helping hand,” Dowson said. “They have to keep proving themselves, which reduces their ability to help others up.”

When women buy into this competition, it creates a work culture where mentorship is scarce and learning opportunities are missed. Women spend more time fighting for recognition than they do celebrating each other’s successes. It’s exhausting—and harmful.