The idea that men get more distinguished with age and women essentially “expire” is such common knowledge that you might even accept it as truth, rather than what it is: unequal treatment.
As if the pressures to be thin and beautiful aren’t enough, women are also expected to miraculously not age. The anti-aging craze has grown exponentially in recent years. As of 2016, it was a $250 billion industry, expected to reach about $330 billion in 2021. This includes various treatments and products that promise to keep you looking young: Some people are even injecting themselves with the blood of teenagers. No, we’re not making that up. And, no, it doesn’t work.
This week’s Divided States of Women digs into the double standards women experience with aging, from popular culture to the movies and in our personal lives. We also talk to Stacy London about ways to combat anti-aging discrimination.