Even in the 21st century, women are still subjected to double standards. If anything, it's worse in some ways than it used to be. The media, for example, analyses and criticises the looks and bodies of female celebrities in minute detail. Women are also often criticised for behaving in ways that are acceptable for men. Here are some infuriating ways that women experience double standards …
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1. Dating Younger Men
One of the most annoying ways in which women experience double standards is on the issue of dating a younger man. When men date a younger woman, nobody notices. It's not seen as worthy of comment. Look at the number of male celebrities who date younger women. But if a woman dates a younger man, she is the subject of jokes or critical remarks.
2. Sex
Yes, the sexual double standard still exists. A woman cannot behave the same way as a man. If he has several partners, that's okay - he may even be lauded for it. A woman who has a history is often seen as somehow lacking in morals and selling herself short. One-night stands are almost expected of men, while women doing the same are cheap.
3. Drinking
Drinking too much isn't smart for anyone. But again, it's almost expected of men that they will enjoy drinking. Men who don't are seen as unmasculine - but that's for another article. Women who go out and get drunk are copying men in one of the worst ways. It may be true, but excessive drinking should be wrong for everyone, not just for women.
4. Single Moms
When you read an article about a single dad, he is praised to high heaven. What a marvelous job he's doing, raising his children all by himself! Yet single mothers are often the target for criticism. They are accused of depriving their children of a father and costing the State millions. No mention of the fact that they are doing a difficult job the best they can.
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5. Aging
You know, this happens to us all. But while men mature, women age. Grey hair on a man is distinguished, but a woman has to color her hair. The media constantly picks on female celebs for not looking like they did 20 or 30 years ago. And if they dare to refuse to go the Botox/fillers route, they're subjected to endless articles on how rough they look.
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6. Weight
Women are given the message that skinny is desirable, and pressured to lose weight. But if you do that, you're vilified for somehow promoting the idea that skinny is desirable. Nobody's telling guys to drop some pounds. It seems that women can't win. If they carry some pounds, they're unhealthy and unattractive. If they lose weight, they must have an eating disorder …
7. Clothes
Guys can walk around with their shirts off in summer. But if women tried it they'd be arrested. Even if it were legal, they'd have guys hooting at them. So they'd end up covering up anyway. Why are breasts invested with such importance? Is it seeing women purely in sexual terms?
We shouldn't forget that men also experience double standards. Women can wear what we want - nobody thinks twice about a woman wearing trousers - but a man in a dress is a drag queen or an object of ridicule. Whoever they are aimed at, double standards are wrong. Everyone should be treated equally. Which example of double standards annoys you the most?
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Comments
Ine: I used to work with a few male chauvinist pigs and although I have had a far higher and better education than they had, they always treated me as if I am stupid. These guys were also frustrated because at home, their wifes have all the power.
Gabriella: This is infuriating. A lot of people don't realize that shaming a woman for sexuality/sex life (slut shaming) was a common tactic for men in early christian times to constantly remind women that they were not considered human. A majority of the slut shamers out there don't even realize that they're being sexist and misogynistic toward their fellow females. It's disgusting.
Charlotte: The shirts. I've been bothered by the inequality of shirt requirement since I was a little girl. And shaving of legs... And wearing bras...
Allison: What irritates me is the double standard of the pay differential between men and women, along with the excuse that women are paid less because they're going to take time out to have a family; therefore, companies are justified in paying women less than men. It's unfair, discriminatory, and stereotypical. Pay should be made on merit, and women are just as capable as men.
Ashley: I agree with everything but the weight thing guys do go through it too. My boyfriend whom I think is the sexiest man on the planet doesn't think he's good looking because he doesn't look like Ryan Reynolds or the guy on Arrow. I love his body and it really opened by eyes to how guys go through the same pressure that we do just they don't talk or complain about it as much as we do. However the one double standard that really gets my goat is clothing. If I want to wear comfy clothes apparently I'm no longer feminine. :
Lara: I refuse to shave my legs for now (I'm 14) because I don't want conform to that sexist view it doesn't make u really look better presented and the hairs are there to keep us warm. Also men and women have double standards in how we have to be presented- always looking good but it's fine for men to look scruffy. Another VERY irritating double standard is rudeness- it is more okay for men to do things that women can't and if we do people say it's gross!!!
Leanne: I only agree with some of these things. Dudes like sex they can't help if they see a girls breasts they react I think if a guy was walking around without pants people would stare at him. Also we arnt forced to shave wear bras or anything like that we choose to wear makeup to dress in right cloting and shave every part of our bodies so that we can put our mind at ease from worrying about what people think of us. I figure people are going to judge u no matter what so if you're going to be judged do it in the comfort of sweats and no bra.
Waseema: I agree with every single one of them. They are so true
Danielle: My husband also says it's not fair that us women can't walk around shirtless like he can. Lol. Typical.
Taylor: So true! Every single one!!
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