Key points

Italian women are generally more accepting of their aging bodies than North American women.

We can choose to let go of ageist ideals that don't serve us and enjoy our lives and our bodies instead.

Older women who don't hide their bodies can be powerful models of lack of self-consciousness and shame.

Dr. Susan Biali on the beach in Italy Source: Susan Biali

Last month in the Southern Amalfi Coast of Italy, I hopped onto the back of my friend Vincenza’s Vespa, and we zipped down to join her friends at the beach. She set up our ombrellone (sun umbrella) in the sand, we laid out our towels next to the other women, and then walked in the water.

“Why are you wearing that?” she asked me, gesturing at my bathing suit with a grimace.

“What do you mean?” I responded, confused.

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