The thing about being a woman under patriarchy where male validation rules is that you have to perform having a “provider.” You have to constantly prove your worth through what your man or men give you, because it affirms your desirability and value. So even when the men don’t have, women have to cover for them by taking a secondary role as actors. You must be ready to play the part. There is no glory in being the woman providing; it must be ascribed to a man, because he is your head through whom your worth is affirmed. It makes you look more desirable, more beautiful, more valuable. It is a performance to which you must commit.
Nothing excites you all quite like an opportunity to dunk on younger people. Look at how many grown adults are salivating over the fantasy of punishing her and putting her in her place. Without this sense of power, without this rush, without this air of superiority, what even are you?