Have you ever heard of the “invisible woman syndrome” (IWS)? Helen Walmsley-Johnson first coined this term in her book “The Invisible Woman: Taking on the Vintage Years” in 2015, and it is also available on Audible for free with a subscription; so what exactly is IWS?
Invisible Woman Syndrome, in sum, refers to the feeling of being increasingly overlooked and undervalued as women age. Women who experience this phenomenon may feel like they are being treated as if they are not seen or heard. Or have become irrelevant. The symptoms have been prevalent in women who think their contributions to society have been dismissed or ignored.
One great example of IWS was depicted in one of the Netflix episodes, “Grace and Frankie,” during its first season.
The series portrays the lives of two women in their 70s who are navigating the challenges of aging, friendships, and family. The show has been praised for portraying women living out loud and breaking stereotypes around aging.
You can check out the example of Invisible Woman Syndrome in this clip of Grace and Frankie.
Together, “Grace and Frankie” offers a refreshing perspective that life doesn’t have to slow down just because you’re getting older. The series celebrates the resilience and strength of women and encourages viewers to live on their terms, regardless of age or gender.
Now let’s look at the recent gaff by Don Lemon, who is also over 50 years old and put his entire foot in his mouth on #CNN when speaking on women’s issues. Although this is not new thinking here, being on an international platform increases the stereotype of uninformed people.
Defying the Stereotype:
Over the past several years, many women over 50 have been ridding themselves of Invisible Woman Syndrome by rejecting the idea that they must conform to societal expectations. As a result, this shift can be attributed to many factors, including the growing movement towards body positivity, self-love, and a greater acceptance of diversity and individuality in fashion and beauty.