Women Are Finally Putting Themselves First: Prioritizing Health and Confidence

Romantic relationships, making money, and even travel are taking a backseat as women shift their focus to something far more personal: their bodies.

A recent survey of 2,000 American women—split evenly across generations—revealed that the top priorities for women today are learning about their health (59%) and becoming comfortable and confident in their bodies (58%).

This trend shows no signs of generational bias, as women across all age groups agree that body confidence and health awareness are essential.

Related: The Perfect Woman: How Beauty Has Evolved Since Ancient Times

A Confidence Gap Still Lingers

Despite prioritizing body confidence, only 14% of women surveyed described themselves as “extremely confident” in their skin. The majority fell into the “somewhat confident” (36%) or “very confident” (18%) categories.

However, when it comes to being proud of their gender, the story changes: 89% of respondents said they are proud to be women, with this sentiment remaining consistent across all generations.

Recognizing Gender Disadvantages

While confidence is growing, women still acknowledge the systemic challenges they face. A striking 61% of respondents believe women deal with more disadvantages than men, citing issues such as:

• Body image pressures (58%)
• Workplace inequality (58%)
• Stereotypes around women’s personalities and gender roles (43%)

Even more concerning, 55% of women feel that these disadvantages have either remained the same (30%) or worsened (25%) over the past five years.

What Women Value Most Today

The survey also revealed what has gained importance in women’s lives over the last five years. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Learning about their body and health topics — 59%
2. Being comfortable/confident in their body — 58%
3. Making a lot of money — 48%
4. Having a stable romantic relationship — 40%
5. Going on adventures — 40%

The Takeaway

This shift in priorities reflects a cultural movement toward self-awareness and empowerment. Women are no longer simply navigating societal expectations—they’re actively challenging them. By focusing on health and confidence, women are building a foundation that helps them thrive, regardless of external pressures.

This isn’t just a trend; it’s a reminder that putting yourself first is always in style.