THE TOXIC DOUBLE STANDARD OF FEMALE SELF-CARE

 The decision for women to engage in personal presentation—whether through makeup, carefully styled hair, or choosing intentional clothing—should be a simple matter of personal choice and self-expression. Yet, it routinely forces women into a profound social dilemma. On one side is the desire to maintain one's sense of self, freshness, and personal aesthetic; on the other, the relentless, often abusive, backlash from a segment of society, particularly those who perceive self-care as a threat or a deception.

​The moment a woman invests in her appearance, she becomes the subject of intense, negative scrutiny, creating immediate, fabricated narratives about her character and intentions. Individuals opposed to this expression quickly launch into elaborate theories: she is merely trying to seduce men, she is inherently "fake,"and those who choose not to partake in self-care are deemed "real"or "authentic."This judgment often crosses a deeply intrusive line, extending even to baseless accusations of "fake aging"or manipulating one's true birth age—all calculated efforts to destabilize her public identity and credibility.

​Unpacking the Motivation: Competition and Control

​The root of this pervasive opposition often lies not in genuine moral concern, but in insecurity and a competitive mindset. Those who constantly measure themselves against others and are driven by low self-esteemin a perceived competition project their inadequacy onto women who simply care about self-care. It is easier to tear down a woman who looks refreshed and confident than it is to address their own feelings of inadequacy. Furthermore, this behavior is a manipulative tactic used to exert social control over future generations, attempting to dictate a narrow, restrictive vision of acceptable femininity.

While the opponents may claim they are guiding the next generation away from superficiality, their actions teach a far more toxic lesson: they are modeling how to break into others' personal choices,engage in relentless bullying, and create large opposition groups against those who simply choose to live differently.

​An Ethical Violation Against Personal Autonomy

​Taking care of one’s body, dyeing one’s hair, and wearing makeup are entirely personal choices, reflecting individual autonomy and the right to self-determination. The sustained verbal and emotional abuse, and the creation of opposition groups against women for these simple choices, represent a clear violation of basic human rights and social ethics. A free and functional society respects the personal sphere of individuals, regardless of their aesthetic choices. The continued harassment over appearance is nothing less than a form of public bullying aimed at demanding conformity.

​Ultimately, a woman’s decision to wear makeup, style her hair, or invest in fitness is for herself, not for public review. The choice for self-care is a right, and the demand that women justify their appearance for sake of other women or men who do not use make ups is an ethical failing that must be rejected.