Witherspoon: "It's tough being a woman"

Reese Witherspoon has spoken about the dilemmas of being female.

The actress, 33, has two young children with ex-husband Ryan Philippe and recently broke up with Jake Gyllenhaal.

She told the Daily Mail: "You are supposed to be self-sufficient, but we all need our sisters. I have three women friends who will drop anything to help me and I will do the same for them.

"I believe in those female bonds, because a lot of stuff happens with men and marriage and divorce, but family and friends are paramount."

She added: "I can remember my own mother struggling with her weight and self-esteem. It was hard for me to watch her, because I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

"When we women talk about our bodies and our looks, we have to be mindful of the effect this can have on little girls. Certainly, being in a relationship is important to me."

> Witherspoon had counselling for divorce
> Reese Witherspoon worries about her kids