I’ve actually read articles suggesting to send seniors. Their libido isn’t as problematic, and they aren’t at the same risk/consequences of radiation.
They can start the process of colonization of Mars. Objectively, it does make a fair bit of sense.
I saw a movie once about WWII prisoners trying to escape a castle prison. Some tried crawling through a sewer pipe that was so tight they could barely inch forward, let alone back themselves up if they came to a grate or a dead end or a tight corner. They didn’t even know if it would lead them to freedom. It was just a chance that it might. To me, this Mars mission is even more insane than starting down that pipe.
Not fair! The dirty old men would get all the women!