The Sexist Side of Wellness

Why are women more likely to be concerned about organic produce than men? Why do women meditate more than men? And why are they the ones nervous about parabens? (I’ve never heard a man say he’s terrified of his “chemical” body wash.)

There are many reasons: Women are stressed (e.g., lack of childcare support, attacks on reproductive rights, etc). Women interact more with the medical industry. Women drive the majority of consumer spending. Women use more personal care products than men. 

But it goes deeper than that. Why are women so worried, so scared, and sometimes so consumed with their health? Why are they fixated on their food intake, fitness regimen, and ingredient labels?

One part of the answer is that wellness brands, organizations, and lifestyle influencers target women, often borrowing manipulative techniques from the beauty, fashion, or diet industries. Many wellness publicists and marketers worked in those sectors before wellness became the new hot market.

Of course, this doesn…