Despite the progress made in gender equality and the push for female empowerment, women are still frequently confronted with harmful societal messages and unrealistic expectations. These pressures can cause unnecessary anxiety over issues that, in reality, hold little importance. Often, these concerns are unique to women, as men are not subjected to the same gender-specific standards. In this article, we explore a list of common worries that women face, which often go unnoticed by men.
The Perception of Eating Habits
Women are judged more harshly for their dietary choices and weight fluctuations. This is why many women feel anxious about eating in public, fearing that those around them will scrutinize their portion sizes, meal choices, weight, or eating habits. Unfortunately, these fears can also increase their risk of developing eating disorders.
Age and Aging Signs
Even from a fairly young age, women are bombarded with messages about how they should fight back against the aging process with creams, injections, or exercises. As a natural part of life, it’s about time we destigmatize aging and let women feel comfortable in their own natural skin.
“Imposter Syndrome” in Professional Settings
While both men and women can suffer from imposter syndrome, women are often more prone to it because they feel more of a need to prove that they are just as qualified and capable as their male counterparts. Sadly, a lot of ignorant individuals will still perceive women as being less proficient simply because of their gender.
Vocal Pitch and Tone
As noted by the New York Times, women with high-pitched voices are often judged as sounding too shrill and not authoritative or assertive enough. Sadly, this means that women in positions of power often face anxieties over their voices and whether they should intentionally modulate them to be taken seriously.
Relationship Dynamics
Harmful stereotypes such as the “needy girlfriend” or “crazy cat lady” can make women more anxious about their relationship habits. For example, they may be overly concerned that expressing their needs or desires will push their partners away.
Social Media Presentation
The “perfect” pictures of people’s lives and appearances on social media can make us feel pressured to post the same kind of curated content. Unfortunately, the prevalence of filters, flattering angles, and perfected makeup can ruin women’s self-esteem and cause them to strive for these same unrealistic standards.
Hair Appearance Beyond Style
A lot of women worry that any small issues with their hair, such as frizz, flatness, or oiliness, will attract negative attention and judgment. In reality, most people pay little to no attention to the small variations in people’s appearances. However, it’s easy for the abundance of haircare and styling commercials to make you think otherwise.
The Nuances of Skincare
Pictures and selfies on social media and other forms of media are often airbrushed and edited to perfection, removing the appearance of natural skin texture and imperfections. This leads many women to feel like their normal, natural skin is too textured, uneven, dry, or flawed in other ways.
The Impact of Menstruation
One of the less welcome side effects of being a woman is Mother Nature’s monthly gift. It’s common for women to feel anxious about the potential for leaks, discomfort, and mood swings that may be apparent to others. The stigma around menstruation and the stereotypes about women on their period only exacerbate this issue.
Footwear Choices
In an ideal world, the last thing we’d be judged for is what we choose to walk around in. But alas, many women in the public eye are scrutinized from head to toe, meaning that even their shoes are targeted at times. Some women worry about being judged for wearing the “wrong” footwear for a particular occasion or not sporting a fancy pair of heels.
The Expectation to Always Smile
Is anyone else sick of being told “Smile!” or “Cheer up”? As noted by the Irish Independent, women who are simply going about their business with a neutral expression are often accused of being unfriendly, cold, or aggressive. We think it’s about time we let women be their authentic selves and put down the always-cheerful mask.
Being Overly Apologetic
It’s a sad fact that a lot of women are constantly worrying about whether their actions or needs will be perceived as intrusive, annoying, or bothersome. This often causes them to be overly apologetic and say sorry for things that they shouldn’t feel bad about at all.
Perfume and Personal Scent
While most men will slap on some deodorant and call it a day, women are more likely to worry about picking out a pleasant perfume that strikes the perfect balance of smelling nice without being too overpowering. There is also more of a stigma around women’s natural body odor than men’s.
Minor Makeup Flaws
Even from a young age, many girls feel the pressure to adopt the makeup habits of the adults and celebrities around them. Sadly, this often leads to an obsession with perfection and anxieties over small imperfections, such as smudged eyeliner and uneven foundation. Men are usually oblivious to these perceived imperfections and don’t receive the same pressure to hide their minor flaws.
The “Right” Outfit Choice
Some women can spend a whole morning worrying about what to wear and whether their outfit is appropriate for a particular social occasion. Sometimes, it can feel hard to balance one’s need for comfort with society’s expectations of perfection and glamor. Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise, as even women in positions of leadership are more likely to be judged for their fashion choices than men.
Body Hair Management
Another unfair expectation placed on women is the need to constantly remove any signs of body hair, especially when it comes to their armpits and legs. Body hair is natural and healthy, but women who choose to let it grow are often judged as unhygienic and unfeminine. On the other hand, it is considered normal or attractive when men have visible body hair in the same locations.
Being “Too Emotional” in Public
Society continues to perpetuate the harmful stereotype that women are overly emotional and illogical. In fact, according to Sage Journals, one in eight people think women are too emotional to be in politics. So it’s no wonder that many women have a fear of expressing “too much” emotion, especially in public and professional settings. They may worry that they will be perceived as weak or irrational simply for showing their natural side.