When a man is 40 years old, he has basically achieved his career through hard work. At that time, they were not short of money and couldn't find what kind of woman they wanted. After all, who hasn't thought of a good life.
But women can only wait at home for their husbands to come back to educate their children. In the past, women could not go to school, especially in some poor places. They basically live the same life, being born, getting married, having children and educating their children. And because of their low status, men may find new lovers when they have money.
In ancient times, if a girl was divorced or thrown out by her husband after marriage, basically no one wanted her again. Even if a man really likes her and is willing to marry her, he will be pointed at by his neighbors. I don't think this kind of life will be particularly easy.
But men are different. They can have three wives and four concubines, and they don't like having wives at home. They can also go out and have fun. Only their wives know that they are sad, and outsiders will not feel much problem. The big deal is to marry home.
Therefore, it is not unreasonable to put a rhapsody in July and a woman's forty tofu dregs in ancient times. At that time, men were not as beautiful as they were when they were young, but with the support of money, it would not be too difficult to look anywhere, while women were certainly not as good as men in maintenance because they had no money. So by that time, they were already dim.
But not all women in ancient times were like this. Girls from wealthy families will also be educated from an early age. With knowledge, their status will improve and they will pay more attention to dressing up and maintaining themselves, which is also the reason why good families come from this.
There is still inequality between men and women in society, but it is much better than before, so girls must pay attention to improving their self-cultivation and making themselves more attractive.