This is going to be a quickie because I must get out the door, but a woman named Tracy Young, who I don’t know, just posed a comment on Facebook which I thought was spot-on.
She was responding to a call from the editor of More magazine, for which I blog, to tweet your age, thus breaking the age taboo. Basically the passage-of-time version of “We’re Here, We’re Queer, Get Used to It.” Lesley, the editor, had cited examples of foxy fab faves like JLo and JenA turning 40 as “older” women who can inspire us to be loud and proud about our not-youngness.
Tracy put it quite nicely:
“I love how there’s OK old, like 40…and NOT OK old, like, well, anything over 50. How about 60? Is that still taboo?If we actually believed that age was irrelevant, not to mention NOT TABOO, we wouldn’t have to rock it, tweet it. or even discuss it.Is this a female problem? Or a women’s magazine problem? I don’t see men bothering with this subject, altho sitting down for a beer photo op seems pretty dopey too.”
(My book isn’t going to cite ages, except where a precise age–like, whether you were 16 or 18 when Borderline came out, which of course can make a huge difference in your pop cultural outlook–is germane to what’s being said.)
In short, what-EV! I’m 42, for what it’s worth. I suspect that’s now considered too young to help break down any taboos, but there you have it. I hope it helps!
July 31, 2009 at 10:34 am
Age is only a number. I look and feel better now than ever at 40-something and my 30-something manfriend thinks so too. We can’t stop the aging process, but rather look it in the face and embrace it and the wisdom that comes with it. I choose not to read “women’s” magazines. Who are these women who are telling me what I should do for my wrinkles, or how to please my man in bed? I’ll ask my Mom and even strangers for beauty advice if they look good (Mom looks amazing pushing 70!). If I want to know how to please my man, I’ll ask him directly. Maybe someone should come out with a non-aged focused magazine for everyone…oh wait, isn’t that MAD magazine?
July 31, 2009 at 7:09 pm
WHY OH WHY is it so taboo to age?? I am 45 years old and I feel better than ever. I would not trade any of my insight, knowledge or comfort in my own skin for youth. I look at the women who are aging as they should (no botox, fillers or face lifts) and I believe that they are beautiful, not to mention more interesting. What looks freaky is all the women who are trying sooo hard to look “younger” and wrinkle free when they look simply like they are just trying too hard. There is nothing wrong with looking your age and I am saddened by all the women who seek to fight it. Be happy with who you are and where you are in life….age has so little to do with it…but maybe how you react to it does….
August 1, 2009 at 12:04 pm
K. Amanda – I couldn’t have said it better myself. Although I am not against surgery, some women take it way too far and, if you can tell a person has had “some work done”, then “it’s way too far”. I don’t know who has set the price of what beauty is supposed to look like these days, but I’m not buying it. Be true to yourself, surround yourself with positive people and look to enlighten your beautiful mind.
August 1, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I am 41 and I vow never to hide my age! Even when I’m as ancient as 50!
August 4, 2009 at 9:30 am
It *is* a female problem! I recently saw a male friend on his 60th birthday. He was having a little trouble with the concept, but he said, “the nice thing about getting older is that people see you as more distinguished, and give you more respect.” I said, well that’s where it’s obvious you’re a guy. As women get older, we’re seen as more irrelevant, not more eminent. To his credit, he agreed with this immediately, and spent some time taking in how different it is for women.
I enjoy telling people I’m 43. They invariably respond with, “whoa, you don’t *seem* that old!” And then I get to say, “this is what 43 looks like, babe!” and make them think about it a little differently.
So far, I agree with the posts above; I’m happier and healthier than I’ve ever been in my life, and I wouldn’t go back for anything. (Well, maybe to have kids, but that’s another story entirely…)
August 5, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I’ve said it here, often, again and again, and reinforced it in my own blog,boomericon.blogspot.com, menopause was one of the best things that happened to me. When I realized how much weight I’d packed on in its aftermath, I went on a diet and worked out rigorously. I dropped 37+ pounds, which I kept off because the regimen became my lifestyle. My 24 year-old son said I look like I have the body of a 50 year-old rock star. I do dwell on my appearance, but with the attention it draws I can’t help it. At a recent “Candlebox” concert, the lead singer was pointing directly to me when he sang a song called “You”. In the small venue there were many, many young women up front and close to the stage, like I was, but he pointed to me. I was referred to as a “MLF” while onstage at a club in Key West during spring break..at 50.
August 6, 2009 at 12:06 am
age is just mind over matter.if you dont mind, it doesn’t really matter
August 7, 2009 at 12:45 am
I hate the whole “formerly hot” concept. Why are you no longer hot? Why can’t you get better every year? I’m sick of the whole, “Weh… I’m 40.” Or 50. Or 60. Let’s quit overanalyzing age and start living! All that frettin’ is terribly unattractive. Definitely not hot.