Within this theoretical framework, there is a perceived fundamental difference in the sexual market value of men and women. In most cultures, a man's sexual market value determines how successfully he can attract partners for sex and love. A woman's sexual market value, on the other hand, is often theorized to determine how successfully she can attract partners not only for sex and love but also for economic and social resources.
Thus, preserving sexual market value is considered more crucial for women. Because this perceived value is argued to decline as women age, women have historically been more targeted by, and engaged with, the cosmetic, fashion, and diet industries.
There are also political agendas that aim to improve societal conditions for women who have experienced a decline in perceived sexual market value, or who feel they never possessed it.
Proponents of such agendas may include older divorced women whose former husbands sought younger partners, or women who feel they were abandoned after brief relationships despite expectations of long-term commitment.
Critics argue that such agendas can degenerate into misandry when the moral high ground is abandoned, and the stated or implied aim becomes hostility toward men in general.
From this perspective, women with high sexual market value have historically been less disadvantaged and less in need of female solidarity (see related YouTube video here).
However, new technologies that maintain a youthful appearance and preserve the perceived sexual market value of aging women might eventually render such political programs obsolete.
Society is approaching an era where advancements in cosmetic and medical technologies allow women to maintain a youthful appearance well after menopause.
Many of these technologies are relatively simple and have been available for years, though their broader impact on societal perceptions of aging is still unfolding.
Facial appearance plays a major role in perceived sexual attractiveness. A significant portion of the visible effects of facial aging can be mitigated by measures such as preventative treatments (e.g., Botox), surgical procedures like facelifts, and strict sun avoidance. For skincare, consistent sun protection is fundamental.
Combined with good dentistry, the treatment of visible skin veins, and gentle cleansing, these practices can further enhance the preservation of a youthful appearance.
To maintain a youthful figure, some argue that women who can afford it should consider alternatives to pregnancy, as pregnancy can significantly alter physical appearance and perceived market value. Proponents suggest that the right of couples to utilize surrogacy provides reproductive options, though the socioeconomic dynamics and ethical implications of surrogacy remain complex and widely debated.
Mandating age disclosure can facilitate age discrimination. This disproportionately impacts the perceived sexual market value of women beyond a certain age, even if their physical appearance does not reflect it.
Just as the omission of race specifications in passports has helped combat racial discrimination, omitting specific birth dates from personal documents could theoretically reduce age discrimination. Once a person reaches the age of majority, this status could be noted without a specific birth date. Beyond that, many argue that governments and administrative units do not routinely need to know a person's exact age. While widespread citizen identification via genetic markers remains a theoretical and ethically complex concept, advanced biometric systems already offer alternative identification methods.