Justine Bateman, writer, director, producer, author, discusses the societal fears about aging, societal norms shaping perception of beauty, and the pressures to conform. They explore confronting irrational fears, societal value placed on different groups, and the impact of filters and cosmetic enhancements on perception of beauty.
Facing and eroding irrational fears through writing or speaking out loud can help overcome them.
Societal pressure on women to alter their appearance stems from media, advertising, and societal expectations.
Fear of not conforming to beauty standards is rooted in the irrational fear of not being protected or provided for, but embracing natural features is more important.
Deep dives
Overcoming Irrational Fears
The podcast episode explores the idea of facing and eroding irrational fears by giving them time and attention. By writing or speaking out loud about these fears, they lose their power and can be overcome. Trusting in the process and having faith that things will work out is emphasized, especially as we grow older and have more evidence of things working in our favor.
The Pressure to Alter One's Appearance
The episode delves into the societal pressure placed on women to alter their appearance and the concept of beauty being equated with youth and perfection. Justine Bateman discusses her book 'Face,' which examines why women feel the need to fix their 'broken' faces and explores the roots of these irrational beliefs. The influence of media, advertising, and societal expectations are examined in understanding why women may feel the need to change their appearance.
Examining Society and Personal Fears
The conversation in the episode navigates through various stories and instances where women have felt judged, rejected, or insecure due to their appearance. Justine Bateman highlights the importance of examining where these fears come from and understanding the irrationality behind them. A call to embrace authenticity, challenge societal norms, and prioritize inner growth and self-acceptance is made throughout the episode.
The Fear of Inclusion and Tribal Mentality
The podcast discusses how the fear of not being included in the tribe drives people to conform to certain beauty standards. The speaker emphasizes that conforming to narrow beauty ideals, such as undergoing plastic surgery, is rooted in the irrational fear of not being protected or provided for. This fear is deeply ingrained in our survival instincts, as it ensured our ancestors' survival in tribal times. However, the speaker argues that in modern society, this fear is unfounded, and individuals should embrace their natural features instead of conforming to societal expectations.
The Pressure on Women in Aging
The podcast explores the different standards society has for men and women when it comes to aging. Men are often seen as distinguished and characterful as they age, while women face more scrutiny and pressure to maintain a youthful appearance. The speaker attributes this to societal values that prioritize men's financial success and provider role, while placing less value on older women. The speaker challenges these norms and encourages women to embrace their unique features, highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and confidence in navigating societal pressures.
Justine Bateman (writer, director, producer, author) joins us to address society’s fears about aging especially when it comes to females, how she unpacks her irrational fears in order to get to the root problem, and concerns about the implementation of artificial intelligence into film and television projects. She breaks down the nuances of wearing makeup, differences between society’s views toward aging between men and women, and her foolproof method for combating fears rooted in our physical insecurities. Mayim breaks down choice feminism and Justine shares what our fears of being an outlier may be rooted in and why she thinks mainstream audiences are one step away from accepting generative A.I.
NOTE: This episode was recorded before the Israel-Hamas conflict. Our hope is that MBB can be a positive distraction from what's going on in the world.
