Get Ready To Get Pissed At These Double-Standards For Men And Women
Let's face it, as much as we've made progress in treating men and women equally, the reality is that we've still got a long way to go. From the way we communicate in relationships to the expectations we try to attain or avoid, it's clear that we need to be aware of the work that still needs to be done. Redditors took to their keyboards to let us know what double-standards they're most bothered by, and, yeah, I'm with them.
Women Just Have To Suffer In The Heat
"Women can't be topless in the heat like men." —bett7yboop / Reddit
Granted, some crop tops and bandeaux have really pushed the boundary on this one to allow for the least coverage while respecting the standard. However, who decided that men's nips are fine?
Women Are Expected To Look Like They Have An Instagram Filter On IRL
"Expecting women to keep up a constant and rigorous beauty routine while doing very little to maintain their own attractiveness.
"That is a double-standard perpetuated not just by men but by society at large, however." —celestialism / Reddit
How come men get a seven in one shampoo, but women have the precoat, polish, and topcoat just to cover one nail?
Women Being Considered A Liability For The Risk Of Getting Pregnant
"Being overlooked for a role while between the 20 to 35 because I might become pregnant." —[deleted] / Reddit
Excuse us for taking a few months away from the career that takes up our whole lifetime to create the life necessary to keep those careers going for the next generations...
It's Only Okay For Men To Not Want Kids
"It's okay for men to not want kids, but women are 'broken' or will 'change their mind' if they say the same." —[deleted] / Reddit
It's 2021, but it's still not the norm for a woman to openly admit that she never wants to bring children into our chaotic world. Isn't the world overpopulated anyway?
The Quality Of Men's Clothing Vs Women's
"Clothes from the women's section fall apart after six months. Meanwhile, I have a 15-year-old shirt from the men's section that I still wear." —[deleted] / Reddit
It doesn't even make sense if they're supposedly being manufactured out of the same fabric in the same facilities. Until you remember that the fashion industry is predominantly targeted at women...
Men Can't Cry
"When a woman cries, it's viewed as normal. When a man cries, he's told to man up and stop." —[deleted] / Reddit
We shouldn't be surprised that men often have a hard time communicating and talking about their feelings in relationships when they're often conditioned to shut down that part of themselves.
The Representation Of Men And Women In Movies And Media
"When movies need an ugly guy, they hire an ugly actor. When they need an ugly girl, they hire a smoking hot actress and put glasses on her." —imaLilT-pot / Reddit
Then we wonder why dad bods are a trend yet women still get advertised every diet pill under the sun.
The Shallow Way Women Are Complimented
"The compliments women get are about appearances." —PTSDaway / Reddit
Women rarely get complimented for the things men get complimented for assertiveness, accomplishments, or basically any intentional act. They'll be viewed as domineering, tryhards, or overachieving. Women are capable of so much more than sitting down and looking pretty if they can only be taken as seriously as men.
The Rep Of The Single Dad Vs Single Mom
"A single mother is looked at as a red flag, trashy, and is blamed for choosing a deadbeat as her child's father. While single fathers are a great catch and praised for 'stepping up' automatically." —shaylaa30 / Reddit
Women Are Somehow Too Picky And Not Picky Enough
"Women get blamed for being 'too choosy' with men and 'not giving them a chance' and in general get called uppity, picky snobs because they won't go out with certain guys.
"But when those same women pick the wrong guys, they're told that shouldn’t have been so stupid, naive, and over-trusting to just go out with any guy." —[deleted] / Reddit
Only Dad Can Work Late For A Promotion
"If a dad works late, gunning for the big promotion 'What a great provider!' If dad leaves early to pick up sick kids from daycare: 'What a great dad! So wholesome.'"
While at the same time, "If mom stays late, guns for the big promotion: 'How can she neglect her kids like that?' and if mom leaves early to pick up sick kids: 'Figures, she was never really committed to the job.'" —Unknown_Stonefruit / Reddit
There's just no winning.
Men's Large Pockets Vs Women's Non-Existent Ones
"Why do men get pockets big enough to hold all their stuff and women get fake pockets sewn shut or a micro-sized? Is it too much to ask that I don't have to carry around a satchel like a peasant?!" —surebegrandlike / Reddit
Apparently, yes it is.
Women Can't Have "Men's" Hobbies Without An Agenda
"If men play video games, it's normal and expected. If men like sports, it’s normal and expected. If men enjoy something like skateboarding, it’s normal and expected.
"But if a woman does any of those things, she’s only doing it to impress men and couldn’t possibly actually like them herself." —seahawksgirl89 / Reddit
Often, it'll be considered a phase for those women before they go back to more "feminine" activities.
Assigned Household Chores
"Who is 'supposed' to do what... Women clean the inside of the house and men do yard work even though we all live in the same house.
"One day, my husband's friend called him while we were cleaning the house. His friend said, 'Uh, oh. In trouble with the wifey?' No! He just lives here too." —amandadear / Reddit
It's like it's groundbreaking news to ask a man to wash a dish every once in a while.
The Praise For A Single Dad
"Dads are 'superhuman' when they take care of a baby, cook and clean, or just parent in general. But women are 'doing what comes naturally' when we work a full-time job while pregnant, go back to work weeks after major trauma, and still keep the house." —amandadear / Reddit
Plus, let's face it, maternity leave is never long enough.
Basically Everything About Rom-Coms
Here's just one example: "Those romantic comedy plots around the cliché beautiful and smart woman married to the dumbest guy who is lucky to have her. Yet if you swap the roles, see people flip out." —[deleted] / Reddit
We could write a whole article about the way rom-coms just don't translate to real life.
The Way We Raise Brothers Vs Sisters
"Daughters are being raised and taught to clean and cook while brothers get cleaned up after." —ItsD_D / Reddit
Have you noticed that older sisters to younger brothers are always amazing at multitasking? That's because many of them grew up doing school while simultaneously babysitting and helping raise their brother.
A Dad's Role Vs Their Mother's
"I'm a dad of a 3-year-old and it drives me crazy when people tell me how 'great' it is that I’m 'babysitting' or 'watching' my son for my wife. He's my kid. I'm just as much a parent as my wife." —[deleted] / Reddit
It's like the mothers are supposed to do the taking care part while dads just assist.
Baking Is A Woman's Hobby
"Baking is a woman's hobby, apparently, until it's a profession and then it's for men. Cue all the eye rolls." —ShovelingSunshine / Reddit
The funny part is that, even then, a male baker probably still gets paid more than his female coworker.
Commercials Targeted To Women
"Commercials are the worst. Anytime there is a cleaning product it acts like men are completely clueless. I do all the laundry, cook all the meals, and keep the house in somewhat order, yet these commercials tell everyone that I am incompetent compared to my wife." —beejester81 / Reddit
Just because it's not common doesn't mean we shouldn't try to make it more common.