‘Rich Girl Face’: how society rewards pretty, and why it’s a lose/lose game for women


by Roe McDermott
16th Nov 2023

The Beauty Premium shows that conventionally attractive people have been shown to be socially and economically rewarded — but why then do we still judge women for spending time and money trying to meet beauty standards?

A belief in gender equality, a deep aversion to the idea of owing men anything, and a personality trait that can be lovingly described as “stubborn as a mule with a stubborn streak” mean that I’ve spent most of my dating life splitting the bill with men. There have been exceptions, of course, times that I’ve graciously accepted a drink or a dinner. And there have been times that should have been exceptions and were...

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