a man is as old as he feels, (and|) a woman as old as she looks - Definition & Meaning

used to suggest that women are primarily valued for their beauty and youth, while men are valued for their experience and wisdomused to suggest that women are primarily valued for their beauty and youth, while men are valued for their experience and wisdom

The origin of the proverb "a man is as old as he feels, a woman as old as she looks" is not clearly traced to a specific source, but it reflects longstanding societal views on aging and gender roles. It suggests that men are judged by their internal experiences, while women have historically been judged more harshly for their physical appearance, with their worth often linked to youth and beauty. This reflects traditional views that placed greater value on women’s looks, a common theme in many cultures. Today, the saying is seen as outdated and sexist, reinforcing superficial standards for women and overlooking the diverse ways both men and women experience aging.The origin of the proverb "a man is as old as he feels, a woman as old as she looks" is not clearly traced to a specific source, but it reflects longstanding societal views on aging and gender roles. It suggests that men are judged by their internal experiences, while women have historically been judged more harshly for their physical appearance, with their worth often linked to youth and beauty. This reflects traditional views that placed greater value on women’s looks, a common theme in many cultures. Today, the saying is seen as outdated and sexist, reinforcing superficial standards for women and overlooking the diverse ways both men and women experience aging.

Examples