Women (still) anxious about the idea of aging and seeing their bodies change
Age-related stereotypes have a hard time, and despite many strategies initiated in recent years to prevent ageism, women still suffer the repercussions. Aging remains a concern for women, as does watching their physique change over the years, new research reveals.
Despite the rise of silver models and other salt and pepper heroines in the fashion and beauty industries, the consequences of ageism still weigh on the morale of women who are not done with the fear of seeing the years go by. New research by Appinio*, in collaboration with CEW, finds women are still preoccupied with the thought of aging, despite saying they're more forgiving of themselves at the same time, and even more so. flourished.
Ageism, a gnawing evil
Women of all ages say they are concerned about getting older. Seven out of ten respondents say they think about it often, or very often, and almost as many (69%) are anxious about the idea of seeing their physique change over the years. It must be said that the fairer sex takes a rather severe look at their physique when facing a mirror, up to 72% among 30-39 year olds and 58% among 60-70 year olds. Stereotypes and injunctions seem to weigh on women's anxieties about the passing years, despite greater indulgence in the face of their reflection in the mirror after 50 years.
The study shows that certain events or actions turn out to be true markers of age; finding made by nearly two-thirds of women over 50 (64%). In the fifties, it’s the menopause (53%) which appears as the most symbolic event of the passing years, ahead of the very fact of passing the 50 spring mark (42%), the loss of a parent ( 37%), and becoming a grandmother (22%).
But these markers of time are not the only difficulties faced by women as they age. They also point to the difficulties of dating and feeling attractive, as well as having an interesting social life. An observation that is not the most encouraging… But contrary to popular belief, age can also be synonymous with well-being and self-fulfillment.
More fulfilled over time time
When asked how they felt about the person they were a decade ago, women judge their physical appearance more harshly. All age groups combined, half of those surveyed say they feel less good about themselves than before, but three out of ten women say they feel better about themselves, and more than three quarters even say they feel as much, or even more, blooming.
It should also be noted that the priorities of women change significantly between their thirties and their fifties. While 30-somethings and 40-somethings place family (89%), health (52%), and their relationship (39%) among their priorities, in order, 50-somethings and 60-somethings prioritize well-being (34%) love life, and also take more time for themselves (71% of 60-70 year olds, compared to 46% of 30-39 year olds).
And contrary to popular belief, older women 50 to 70 year olds place more importance on their appearance than their younger counterparts. A quarter of them claim to pay attention to it, in all circumstances, compared to only 15% of 30-49 year olds. Last but not least, self-esteem also increases with age. If the gaze of the partner appears more important than the own gaze of women between 30 and 49 years old (60% against 51%), the order is completely reversed between 50 and 70 years old (46% against 61%).
* This study was carried out between November 29, 2021 and December 1, 2021, among 1,014 women aged 30 to 70.
