This is true-to-life in the sense that most of the social pressure women face comes from other women, not the evil patriarchy. The passive aggressive, snide, cutting put-downs: punishment for stepping out of line, or daring to be younger and prettier than anyone else. Hafta keep those crabs in the bucket.

Women (especially southern ones) can do this while still maintaining an outward veneer of concern and politeness. Men notice nothing.

One time my wife and daughter were on the playground with other friends, and one of the moms said to my wife (with her face full of concern), "Can I get your daughter some shoes?" What she was actually doing was questioning my wife, and therefore MY family policy about letting my daughter go barefoot wherever she dang well pleases. Instead of inquiring about this through proper channels, she assumed my wife was neglectful, too poor to buy shoes, or just a bad mother; and offered in her fakey, underhanded way to get shoes for my daughter. Small comment, but says a ton about her.

I realize most people see this on a daily basis, but it's taken me a while, not being in the south, and generally keeping myself and my family away from such women.