Criticizing women for having babies later in life is sexist given that when men father children at older ages they don’t suffer similar condemnation, argued Liz Hoggard in the U.K.’s The Independent. While defending a 57-year-old British woman who had a baby, Hoggard said, “Society has a new hate object. She hasn't murdered anyone, or stolen anything. She is fit and healthy. She spent most of her life working as a special needs teacher. So what has she done to incur such wrath? She had a baby at 57 and possibly intends to try to have another.”

“Please could we stop this double standard about older mothers?” Hoggard asked, noting that the 57-year-old’s partner is 46. “No one calls 60-something dads . . . selfish and creepy. Gordon Brown was 54. And you know why – because they happen to be married to younger women. So the implication is that their age doesn't matter. A gorgeous, caring lady will make it all right – when Daddy is no longer with us.” (January 2010)