So, actress Bushra got married last night. Congrats to her! But instead of basking in the joy of a new marriage, she woke up to the delightful sound of social media trolls clutching their pearls over the fact that—gasp—she’s three years older than her husband.

You’d think we’ve moved past the 1950s, but apparently, some people are still stuck in an era where a woman’s worth is measured by how closely her age matches her husband’s—or better yet, is conveniently younger.

The outcry over Bushra’s age difference is just another symptom of a society that can’t stop obsessing over numbers, especially when it comes to women.

Media Clickbait: When Age Becomes a Headline

As if the social media comments weren’t enough, several media outlets couldn’t resist throwing in the age difference right into their headlines, because apparently, that’s what passes for newsworthy these days.

Some even claimed he’s a year older, just to add a little extra drama.

But here’s the question: why does it matter? Why is the media so eager to highlight this as if it’s the main event? It’s nothing more than cheap clickbait, designed to stir up controversy where there shouldn’t be any.

This tired tactic highlights the media’s age obsession, leveraging outdated stereotypes to drive traffic, even at the expense of a woman’s personal life.

The Age Double Standard: Same Old, Same Old

Let’s be real: If a man marries someone younger, he’s practically patted on the back for his “virility” and “youthful energy.”

But flip the script, and suddenly people are furiously typing away about the “horror” of an older woman with a younger man.

It’s like we’ve been transported back to the Stone Age, where apparently, men need to drag home brides young enough to be their daughters—or at the very least, someone who doesn’t have the audacity to be older.

And what’s the scandalous age gap we’re talking about here? Three years. Yep, Bushra is all of three years older than her husband. Clearly, this is a crisis that demands our attention.

Age Shaming: A Weird Flex, But Okay

Age shaming is just the latest way society keeps women in check, as if their value somehow depreciates with every birthday candle.

The moment a woman hits 30, the unsolicited advice starts pouring in. If she’s not married, she’s questioned. If she is married and the clock is ticking on kids, she’s pressured.

And God forbid she actually marries someone younger—she might as well pack up and join a convent because the world is just not ready for it.

Let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t about concern for the couple’s happiness or any sort of moral high ground.

It’s about clinging to outdated stereotypes where women are expected to shrink themselves—literally and figuratively—into societal boxes that dictate when, how, and with whom they should live their lives.

Move Over, Ageism—It’s Time for a Reality Check

Here’s a thought: maybe we could all just… not care about someone’s age when it comes to their personal life choices?

It’s a radical idea, I know.

But imagine a world where we’re not constantly policing women for daring to exist outside the narrow boundaries society has set for them. Maybe then, women wouldn’t have to deal with age shaming for making decisions that make them happy.

Bushra’s wedding isn’t the problem—our obsession with age is.

We’re stuck in this weird loop where we praise men for marrying younger women but side-eye women for doing the exact same thing.

Newsflash: age is not some magical determinant of compatibility, love, or the likelihood of a successful marriage.

And in the Words of the Wise Queen Elsa: Let It Go

At the end of the day, who cares if Bushra is three years older? Honestly, if that’s the most shocking thing you can find to talk about, maybe it’s time to rethink your priorities.

Instead of wasting energy on age-shaming comments, how about we focus on something that actually matters?

Love isn’t about numbers, and it’s certainly not about conforming to outdated societal expectations. It’s time to stop letting age define relationships and start letting people live their lives without the judgmental side-eye.

Next time you feel the urge to comment on someone’s age, pause and ask yourself why it even matters. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.