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Charisma in Men, Old Age in Women?
While men are declared “charismatic” as they age, why do women’s bodies become an endless test of aesthetic perfection? From gray hair to gender roles, the struggle to exist in our own bodies.
You know, everyone has an opinion about my hair turning gray. Whenever I fall a little behind on touching up my roots, someone feels the need to interfere with this peaceful coexistence.
My closest friend, for instance…
We have spent years together and traveled many roads. We have taught each other so much; we have fallen, gotten back up, and sometimes, when words caught in our throats, simply sat side by side in silence. I have never doubted his love or respect for me. To me, this is the most precious kind of companionship: a shelter of friendship where you can sometimes find the words you need, and sometimes the silence…
Of course, we do not agree on everything. We have plenty of objections to each other’s views, plenty of subjects we enjoy sparring over. But in a crowd, we can understand each other with a single glance. The fact that he remembers something I said ten years ago still reassures me. You know those words we swallow to avoid hurting someone? When the moment calls for it, we can…
