The Truth About Aging and Gender Roles (with Ana Xavier)

Aging, feminism, and power collide in this juicy conversation. Becky and podcast producer Ana Xavier discuss Susan Sontag’s The Double Standard of Aging and how it still resonates decades later. From gray hair and menopause to child-free choices and decentering men, this feminist talk gets real about the aging double standard and what it means to opt out of performative femininity.

This week’s text: ✍️ “The Double Standard of Aging” by Susan Sontag

This week’s guest: Ana Xavier Ana Xavier is a podcast producer and strategist who helps creators amplify their voices through meaningful content.

🌐 Website | 🎧 Podcast |📱 Instagram

Discussed in this episode:

• Susan Sontag’s essay and its continued relevance
• Aging without shame
• Gray hair and public perception
• Child-free by choice and societal pressure
• Decentering men from life decisions
• Performative femininity and gender roles
• Aging and career reinvention
• Cultural differences in how aging is viewed

Resources mentioned:

• “The Double Standard of Aging” by Susan Sontag
• “Fearing the Black Body” by Sabrina Strings

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