Part 4/13:
She highlights the prevalence of cosmetic use among American women, emphasizing their material comfort—owning homes, cars, and luxury vacations—wrought by a system that encourages superficiality. Household automation, ready-to-eat foods, and individual pursuits of leisure are seen as signs of a life detached from the traditional values of hard work and familial responsibility. Yet, paradoxically, despite increased leisure and education, the percentage of married women working outside their homes remains low, as most are supported by their husbands’ income, which she suggests consolidates men’s financial dependence and status.