I am 50 years old, in my lifetime I have been sexually assaulted as a 6 year old by older boys who didn’t believe I was a girl, had my exam subject choices limited because I am a girl (wanted to do all 3 sciences, computer science and technical drawing at school) and had less able men promoted over me. In my late teens and 20s I was raped by my mother’s second husband, by my first boyfriend, regularly, and by my first husband shortly after the birth of my eldest son.
As I have grown older I have refused to be limited in my career, and have developed polite shaming tactics to deal with men who only speak to my ample breasts; “may I stop you there, my breasts have nothing to add to this conversation and get rather offended when you only speak the them, kindly talk to my face”. Works remarkably every single time!
As a middle aged widow now I get some judgement because I seek no new partner, I tell others I have no interest in watering down my goals, the time spent with family and friends, or to compromise in my business just to make a man happy, this is my life to live my way and celibacy is my plan so I can devote whatever time and energy I choose to devote to the things that give me joy.