Asian aunties have a lot to teach us about gender stereotypes and how to combat them. Although the term is often used as a sign of respect, it has also become a way to belittle women and indicate that they are past their prime. It’s not uncommon to hear young men and women jokingly or derogatorily referring to older female colleagues or friends as “aunties.” But now some Asian women are challenging that theory and proposing an alternative model of aging.
Politically, these women matter. They are voting more than ever before. Political parties from India to Indonesia, which account for half of the voting population, are now targeting women voters. Governments in the region must pay attention to this increasingly powerful force.
It makes economic sense to do this. By 2050, there will be 2.1 billion people worldwide aged 60 and over, the majority of whom will be women. They play a vital role in society as providers of childcare, elder care, and domestic labor. This unpaid or low-wage work allows families to work and save more, indirectly contributing to GDP growth. But they are too often economically excluded and socially marginalized, making them vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Aging can be devastating. Aside from physical and mental decline, perhaps one of the most insulting aspects is the discrimination experienced by older people. According to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global Report on Age Discrimination, one in two people may hold ageist beliefs. This is the most socially normalized prejudice and, like many other prejudices, relies on the concept of ‘othering’, which sees groups of people as different from ourselves.
The irony of course is that most of us sooner or later grow old or become baby boomers.
This prejudice is especially serious for women; People who have experienced twins It addresses issues of both ageism and sexism, highlighting how we are often underrepresented in the media and ignored by consumers, society, and the public sphere. As this study points out, we are also “grandmothered” and thought to be incompetent.
As Geetanjali Shree writes in her novel, it can be an even bigger problem in Asian cultures. sand graveyardHer work explores the theme of invisibility for Indian women, which is often considered a natural state for many people, and despite many advances, men still take precedence in family and society. I’m exploring. Sully’s observations about the secret inner lives of women are peppered throughout her books. “We always knew my mother had a weak spine,” says her debut novel dance (Shut up mom) begins. “People who constantly bend over suffer from this problem.”
But increasingly, older Asian women are refusing to become invisible. ’70s Bollywood star Zeenat Aman found a new life for herself on social media as she grew older. “Who was the genius who decided that ‘auntie’ was a derogatory term?” she wrote on Instagram, criticizing prejudice against older women. “I’m an aunt and I’m proud of it.”
Tackling the taboo of aging was also the idea behind Lisa Ray’s content on social media. The Indian actress, author, and entrepreneur reinvented herself in her early 50s, breaking negative stereotypes about women “of a certain age.”
“There is extreme ageism in India,” she tells me from Dubai, where she now lives. “Comments online say things like, ‘Auntie, why are you wearing this?’ That’s the general attitude. Women of a certain age carry themselves in a certain way. They are expected to express themselves, understand their position, and follow a script. Society doesn’t like them to be different.”
Ray added that in wisdom cultures like India, older people were once respected, but that is no longer the case. At that point, women are freed from responsibility and can help pass on life lessons to the next generation. “Instead of a wise woman, we got the stereotypical image of an old woman,” she added.
Ray is not alone. An anonymous Singaporean artist who goes by the name ‘niceaunties’ is using AI to create a virtual ‘auntysphere’ that defies stereotypes. “I think the important thing is to do whatever you want,” she said on a recent podcast. “For me, it’s really Auntie.”
The hypersexualization of young women, coupled with outdated views of older women, is deeply ingrained in a youth-obsessed culture. This makes the whole experience of growing older a humiliating act, which can be made worse by a lack of visibility at work and in the public eye.
The majority of Asian women, especially in populous emerging economies like India and Indonesia, will never have the opportunity to stand up for themselves. It is the privilege of a select few who have the means and education to express themselves.
Still, women like Aman and Ray are helping create a fresh narrative for a new group of older Asian women. It’s not enough to just fade into the background. So in 2025, if you’re an old lady (like me), I’d like to encourage you to wear that title proudly, be who you want to be, and refuse to conform to fixed stereotypes. The next generation will thank us.
