Three Hidden Pressures That Hold Women Back

Women today face pressures that might be invisible on the surface but can deeply shape their sense of self and purpose. While society has made strides toward gender equity, these burdens remain—internalized and often unexplored. True growth begins with the courage to recognize and address these hidden psychological and spiritual struggles.

The Pressure of Unrealistic Body Ideals

From media to everyday talk, messages about beauty bombard women, encouraging impossible standards. These pressures erode self-worth and can lead to cycles of self-criticism and perfectionism. But in the Catholic tradition, bodies are seen as sacred gifts, not projects to be perfected. Saint Teresa of Ávila’s words echo this truth: “Christ has no body now but yours.” Recognizing our bodies as vessels of love and kindness, not measurement, offers a path to healing and self-acceptance.​

The Pressure of Caretaker Overload

Women are often expected to care for everyone’s needs before their own, leading to exhaustion and overwhelm. Society praises endless self-sacrifice, yet spiritual wisdom teaches us the importance of rest and renewal. Even Christ sought quiet places to pray and recharge. Setting boundaries and practicing self-care affirms a woman’s dignity and honors the life entrusted to her. Spiritual strength grows when service is balanced with compassion for oneself.​

The Pressure of Perfectionism and Professional Tightrope

At work and at home, women walk a narrow path—pushed to excel but cautioned against being “too ambitious” or assertive. This striving for perfection often leads to anxiety and self-doubt. The deeper call, spiritually, is to seek one’s purpose in God rather than chasing approval. Authentic living begins when we let go of others’ expectations and listen to the voice within, rooted in faith and courage.​

Awareness and Awakening

Freedom starts with awareness. By naming these hidden pressures, women step into healing and transformation. Psychospiritual growth teaches us to find our worth not in what we do or how we look, but in being beloved daughters of God. With grace and honesty, the journey to wholeness begins.

 

  

Notes

Body dissatifaction, importance of appearance, and body appreciation: Gender and age differences in a representative sample. (2019, December 16). Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2724. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6928134/

Body image—risks, eating disorders & resources. (2025, September 14). National Eating Disorders Association. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/body-image-and-eating-disorders/

Body perceptions and psychological well-being: A review of the literature. (2024, July 11). Journal of Psychological Medicine, 44(3). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11276240/

Body image distress and its associations from an international perspective: Results of the global health and wellbeing survey 2015. (2021, November 3). JMIR Formative Research, 5(11), e25329. https://formative.jmir.org/2021/11/e25329

Journey with Jesus. (n.d.). Christ has no body but yours—Teresa of Ávila (attributed). Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://www.journeywithjesus.net/poemsandprayers/3637-Teresa_Of_Avila_Christ_Has_No_Body

Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Neville, H. A., & Smith, L. (2022). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Wiley. 

 

Three Hidden Pressures That Hold Women Back

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