40 the new 20? By whose math?
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009 1:27 PM by Sarika Dani
Filed Under:
Celebs
From TODAY producer Stephanie BeckerWe ran a story this morning about
40 being the new 20 for women. As New York’s Mamaroneck High School’s Class of ’78 “Woman’s Libber” you’d think my kneejerk reaction would be something negative like “are they off their rocker?” (Isn’t that the phrase we used way back then before the Internets and just after dinosaurs?) Perhaps if I hadn’t become somewhat of a long-term expert on the fourth decade of life, I might feel a little sexist rage. But that was then. And this is the new math.
On the face of it, the story focused on well known women who already had a step up on the competition in the attractiveness department. Then are we to be surprised that these women who have the wherewithal (without a stimulus package) to maintain or regain their lovely looks? Honestly, even with the extra poundage
Valerie Bertinelli was pretty far from hideous. Although I have to say, recapturing that earlier glow at her age does take an effort not needed by a 20-year-old's warp speed metabolism. Should I be pumping my fists with a “You go girl!” with my born-in-the-turbulent 1960s sisters? Although it is nice to have something to demonstrate for since so many of us briefly regretted not being a part of the “ban the bra” movement. Until we actually needed the support...now more than ever.
I find that I am both rooting for these 40-something icons who are said be as sexy as a 20- year-old and I am rooting against them. If they can do it, am I expected to? And if I don’t wear a bikini, am I a failure? A failure at what, looking hot after all these years?
For those of you reading this who haven’t hit 40 or survived your 20s: been there, done that. And frankly, I am not sure I want to be 20 again. The truth be told, I probably wasn’t all that easy on the eyes with my big hair (compliments of a chemically scalding permanent), floppy and unflattering but very comfy Annie Hall wardrobe and some rather frightening gobs of mascara (not quite at the Tammy Faye level, but embarrassingly close). It makes me think that maybe I am now more attractive than I was at 20. Not just outer beauty, but inner beauty, too. Back then I was living below ground at my parent’s house, I had no idea who I was as a person, I was struggling to find my way in the world, hoping to find a career past the scarf counter at the local department store and lamenting a series of “what were you thinking?” boyfriends.
So, who is in charge of this new mathematical calculation? Who says 40 is the new 20? Anyone in their 60s? It’s been said before (probably derisively by some baby boomers now in their 60s), that we are a country obsessed with youthfulness. But, I’m going to embrace the new math here, turning 40 into 20. And if 40 is 20, is 20 nothing? Is the corollary 60 is the new 40? And if so, will Congress balance the budget by saying I need to be 80 now to qualify for social security? And if my 40s are my 20s all over again, why am I grunting every time I get out of my car?
Video: Is 40 hotter than 20?
