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Aging remains a concern for women, as does watching their physique change over the years, a new study 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.
A new study conducted by Appinio*, in collaboration with CEW, reveals that women are always preoccupied with the idea of agingalthough at the same time they say they are more indulgent with themselves, and even more fulfilled.
Aging, a source of anxiety for women
Women of all ages say they are concerned about getting older. Seven out of ten respondents say they think about it often, even very often, and almost as many (69%) are anxious about the idea of seeing their physique change over the years. I have to say 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 is the menopause (53%) which appears to be 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 the finger the difficulties of dating and feeling attractive, as well as having an interesting social life. An observation that is not the most pleasing… But contrary to popular belief, age can also be synonymous with well-being and self-fulfilment.
More severe on their physique but also more fulfilled
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, fulfilled.
It should also be noted that the priorities of women change significantly between their thirties and their fifties. While 30- and 40-year-olds place family (89%), health (52%), and their couple (39%) among their priorities, in order, 50- and 60-year-olds 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, women aged 50 to 70 attach more importance to 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 observation and not the least, self-esteem also increases with age. If the spouse’s view seems more important than the own view 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, with 1,014 women aged 30 to 70.