When Is a Woman in Her Prime? Google Can't Say, But She Can

When is a woman in her prime?

Is it when a woman is the most youthful and beautiful version of herself?

"A woman is in her prime in her 20s, 30s, maybe 40s...these are the facts...Google it," states Don Lemon in a segment on CNN This Morning in 2023.

According to Dr. Romie Mushtaq, Lemon's statement is a prime example of ageism in the media.

While I also disagree with Lemon, his words are the fruit of outdated and patriarchal societal standards that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Society, mostly men, claims that younger women are more desirable. Meanwhile, older women are the rotten apples of the bunch. In other words, a woman is in her prime at the peak of her youth.

However, a woman's prime has nothing to do with age.

Is it when a woman is still fertile?

Society places women in an awkward spot. It dictates that the ultimate mark of womanhood should be motherhood, thus creating unprompted and unnecessary pressure on women.

However, according to Dr. Mushtaq, “longevity research and the medical definition of prime do not use reproductive years as an indicator.”

Moreover, this might surprise some, but not every woman dreams of bearing children, getting married, or pursuing her dream career at a specific time. We want to do things at our own volition and pace.

Or is it when a woman is at the top of the corporate food chain at a certain age?

The ideology that women should, in retrospect, be the best possible version of themselves within a certain age is nonsense.

Only tangible reality can define our professional success, highlighting our long-term impact in our fields. This could be the culmination of our unwavering commitment to a company or our hard work and dedication to professional development.

When is a woman in her prime? Society plays a role in defining this.

Societal views are subjective, collective thoughts that result in stereotypes. The more we drill these thoughts into our heads, the more we perceive them as reality.

However, we should not let society define a woman's prime. It can fabricate public opinion to win over the masses, especially women.

In turn, it is we who suffer from the decline of our mental health.

Women get to define when their prime is.

Age, fertility, and professional success do not define our prime. These are mere societal standards imposed upon us. Instead, our prime is when we exhibit characteristics like mental sharpness, emotional strength, and sexual confidence.

After all, the word prime means a period in which one has the most energy, vitality, and potential—the happiest and most successful time in life.

When we are at our peak, it has nothing to do with pleasing the status quo—far from it; it's when we radiate confidence, understanding, and self-love as we recognize the importance of our existence.

Many women believe that how we face challenges and prove ourselves against all odds truly defines our peak moments in life. But I guess society isn’t willing to accept that.

So, when is a woman in her prime? It's when she's not confined in shackles by her oppressors—a time when she chooses individuality and embraces her best self.