From the workplace to social media, women are fed the same narrative: there’s only so much space for female success, so you better fight for it.
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, , identifies four key pressures: generational tension caused by competing demands, misunderstandings caused by evolving feminism, harmful stereotypes and competition for recognition that hinders collaboration.
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 danger of pitting women against each other
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.
Older women may face the challenge of being labelled as out of touch, while younger women are sometimes dismissed as inexperienced or overly ambitious. This mindset fuels competition, making it harder for women to support one another across generations.
Breaking the cycle: How we can foster intergenerational collaboration
So, how do we stop the cycle of generational competition and start building real collaboration between women of all ages?
1. Make mentorship a priority
Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools we have to bridge the generational gap. “When women from different generations connect and share their experiences, it breaks down barriers.
2. Celebrate each generation’s strengths
We need to stop generalising women into categories like Gen X, Gen Z, or Baby Boomers. Each generation has its difficulties and strengths, and we need to recognise and celebrate them.
Older women bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to share, while younger women often introduce fresh perspectives and energy. We need to appreciate and leverage all of these strengths, if we are to create a more inclusive space for all women.
3. Challenge media stereotypes and narratives
Instead of focusing on differences, we should seek common ground. Open conversations between generations can clear up misconceptions and build bridges.
“We need to foster intergenerational dialogues, initiating open conversations with women of all ages about their generational perspectives to create a more supportive community for all”.