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Why do we criminalize aging?

And what does it tell us about misogyny?

By Nick FunkPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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Why do we criminalize aging?
Photo by Renel Wackett on Unsplash

It's a simple tweet, from twitter user Caleb Hearon (@calebsaysthings): "aging isn’t even one percent as scary as whatever is going on with the people who try not to".

And it's true. Wrinkles, scars, fading skin, gray hair, health issues - they may scare the average person who hasn't yet reached the age of concern for those sorts of things. The thing is, though, the people who refuse to let age take its hold of them are somehow...worse. Aging itself may be an unfortunate side effect of the passage of time, but it is also fortunate, in many ways, and disrespecting that is, frankly, the wrong choice to make. There's no harm in putting on some makeup to smooth the skin, wearing a flattering outfit - but there are people out there who simply refuse to give in to time, no matter whether they're successful in holding it back or not, and it scares me.

I don't mean this to be purposefully rude or inflammatory, of course. Anyone can do with their bodies whatever they'd like, and it's none of my damn business. My own discomfort more comes from the peek at the ideology that informs that sort of prerogative. It's a reflection of an inherently flawed worldview, but not of a flawed person. Just a person under pressures that nobody should have to withstand.

Why cling so desperately to the looks that nobody can sustain? It can't be a matter of health, surely - I think we'd all appreciate having functional joints as long as we live, but those health issues aren't the target. Botox, serums, creams, laser treatments, photo editing, airbrushing, natural hair dye - none of them inherently problematic, but all symptoms of the pyramid of problems that starts with misogyny at the base. No two ways around it, this anti-aging sort of mindset is more predominant in women than in men, and this is from the incredible beauty standards foisted upon femininity from the moment of birth. Women, whether assigned that way or not, are constantly taught that they must look a certain way, act a certain way, fill a certain need in a certain niche to even be considered worthy of respect, of decency. Meanwhile, mediocre and ugly bastards are present throughout every industry, but a woman couldn't replace them just because she is a woman, say nothing of an ugly woman.

I don't say "ugly" as an insult, in this case - simply as a descriptor. Someone who doesn't fit the beauty standards of the time, as unattainable as they are for the majority of people, is considered "ugly" and therefore less desirable because of the way current Western culture ties beauty to morality. The handsome prince always wins the day, and the evil, ugly hag is tossed into the castle dungeons. This can express itself in many, many ways - ageism, racism, antisemitism. Every story has some villain considered ugly, traits considered undesirable.

Is aging considered evil? Is aging considered a moral failure? If only you had taken better care of your skin or your hair, if only you hadn't gotten that tattoo, if only you had worn better-fitting shoes, if only you had done yoga, if only, if only, if only. Is senescence so evil that dignity is impossible in those who have survived it for this long? Are we supposed to heap shame upon those who didn't see fifty years into the future and solve their problems early?

And why are signs of age considered inherently ugly, anyway? Ugliness itself isn't a crime, but why do we fetishize youth so much?

Why aren't little girls allowed to uncover their shoulders at school?

humanity
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About the Creator

Nick Funk

Hi, I'm Nick. I like fantasy and sci-fi and usually write stories with a queer and/or monstrous focus. I enjoy riddles and poetry as well. I also write Wikipedia articles for fun, if that tells you anything about me.

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