The erasure of mature women is both systemic and statistical. According to research from the Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film , female characters over 60 accounted for just 2% of major female roles in top-grossing films as recently as 2025, compared to 8% for their male counterparts. This disparity is deeply rooted in a patriarchal gaze that values women primarily for youth and perceived fertility. When mature women do appear, they are frequently relegated to supporting archetypes: