Foucault, Femininity and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power

In this piece by Sandra Bartky, she talks about the differences between men and women in terms of femininity versus masculinity and gender roles.  She discusses women feeling the pressure to be thin and beautiful.  She goes into great detail about all the different beauty products and routines women go through.  She says, "the woman who uses cosmetics in a genuinely novel and imaginative way is liable to be seen not as an artist but as an eccentric...the woman who chooses not to wear cosmetics at all faces sanctions of a sort which will never be applied to someone who chooses not to paint a watercolor." While reading Bartky's arguments, I kept thinking to myself, that it seems like women just cannot win.  It reminds me of the phrase (someone might have said this in class today), "you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't." It's like a double standard.  Even though women can have fulfilling careers and have fought for more opportunities, such as higher education and professional work, they still have to deal with being objectified, showcased through that very example Bartky gives.  Men do not have to deal with these tedious tasks and beauty regimens for fear of criticism.  This also reminds me of a piece I read a few years ago that I brought up in class today called, "There is No Unmarked Woman." Generally, it seems like men face less scrutiny from the public/society when it comes to their image and appearance.  This increased scrutiny of women from a societal standpoint hinders equality.  When you're examining and criticizing a women more closely than a man, you are not treating them as equals.