Double standards between genders have been an extremely large controversy lately. The recent feminist movements play a big role into this. If you don't know what feminism is then to summarize it up it's basically the movement to make sure women have the same standard of equality to men. Overall, it's to promote equality within the genders to make sure everybody has the same opportunities. Let's be real, in today's society all anybody wants to be is equal, which isn't a bad thing. So if everybody wants to be equal, then why are we still objectifying women or telling men they can't show that they have emotions? Double standards are an annoying topic, so let's make these 11 along with the rest of them disappear!
1. Men have to be the first one to make the move.
It's 2016. To whomever it concerns, if you see an attractive man don't just stare at him in hopes that he'll make eye contact with you and understand what you're trying to hint at. Your telepathic messages are most likely not going to work. Is there a chance you'll get rejected? Sure. Is there a chance you won't get rejected? Absolutely. So instead of just standing there hoping something will happen, try and make the first move next time. In the end you won't know unless you try!
2. Women who like sex are called whores, hoes, and sluts.
The amount of times I've watched women, including myself, fall victim to these three terms is so annoying to me. It will always baffle me to watch men have multiple one night stands and call women derogatory terms because she also had a one night stand. These terms will always be offensive in my eyes. As long as said people are being safe and not doing anything to physically or mentally harm others, what's the problem? Like I said before, it's 2016. A person's "number" shouldn't matter in the long run.
3. Men are the only one's at fault in domestic violence cases.
This statement is 100 percent false. Women are just as capable as men when it comes to harming another person. Everybody tries to put the blame in rage on the testosterone in guys when in reality anybody could release their anger on another person. It is possible for men to be hurt by a women and they should not be looked down upon because of it. Let's keep the face smacking in the past and move on.
4. Women shouldn't cuss because it is unladylike.
In a world full of many cuss words, why am I defined as a lady or not based off of the language I use? Whatever terminology I decide to use is my choice and should not affect the way others view me. I don't see people call men "unmanlylike" (which isn't even a real word so why is unladylike a word?) because they use cuss words. Define another person based on their actions towards others not because of the words they choose to use.
5. Men shouldn't show any emotions.
This is B.S. in my opinion. We are all human, therefore, we all have emotions. As soon as a man is seen crying or is acting emotional, he suddenly loses his "man card". For some reason the world has portrayed men as these emotionless creatures that are tough through any situation. How is it okay for women to be emotional but as soon as a man is he's no longer considered tough? The strength of a person isn't defined by hiding their emotions so stop treating men like they have to hide what they are feeling in order to be considered strong.
6. A women belongs in the kitchen.
Can we just talk about the amount of sexist jokes that are made on a daily basis about women in the kitchen. I don't know about you, but I've been over those jokes since 2009. Those who make these jokes argue that women are too sensitive against them and need to learn how to take a joke. What they don't understand is that these jokes are highly offensive because of the hard work women have done throughout history to reach the point we're at today. It use to be frowned upon for women to even go to school and now majority of schools are filled with women. For example, Cal State Northridge has 54.1 percent of women enrolled as to 45.9 percent of men. Next time you feel like making a joke, rethink that decision.
7. Men should be confident, but not too confident to the point where it comes off as cocky.
I can't even tell you the amount of times I've heard this from somebody. People are genuinely offended to see a man love himself. Why is that though? Well, most people have problems with self acceptance so it is an unusual phenomenon to them. Since they don't get it they decide to hate it. In my eyes there's nothing wrong with somebody being okay within their own skin, so why do we treat it like it's such a big issue? There is a very fine line between cockiness and confidence, but in the end, they both have to do with self love. Promote self love rather than bashing it.
8. Women should dress well but not promiscuously.
A lot of women are bashed on by men and other women for dressing too skimpy at times. So let me get this straight...men can walk around with their shirts off showing their bodies, but as soon as a women wears something tight to show off hers she's considered "slutty." Right, that makes total sense...except it doesn't. Like I stated before, there's nothing wrong with somebody loving themselves. People find this so offensive because they are intimidated by it. Somebody being genuinely happy with the person they are is often intimidating to others because they wish they could be the same way. Once again, promote self love rather than bashing it.
9. Men and virginity.
In modern day (and maybe in the past) it is a very common aspect for teenage boys wanting to lose their virginity at a young age. There is no doubt about it that guys have pressure put on them from their surrounding peers to get rid of "it" as fast as possible. I've seen women comment on how a man is a virgin and because of that she wanted nothing to do with him. How I see it is women like guys that have experience, but they do not want to be the ones teaching that experience. Of course not all women are like this, but I've definitely heard this excuse before when women find out a man is a virgin. While women are praised if they keep it in the long run, men are teased. Your v-card is without a doubt up to you. Don't let society make or break your decision.
10. Women and virginity.
Women are praised the longer they have had their virginity. I remember coming into college and everybody saying, "Oh my gosh! I wish I was still a virgin, make sure to lose it to somebody special." So not only did I feel the pressure that I was inclined to give it to somebody special, but I also learned from college that if you lost it to just anybody you're considered a "whore." This is most likely why most girls wait to lose it because it's seen as a more "sacred" thing to women compared to men. Also, unlike men, when it is known that a woman is still a virgin men will try to jump at her to take her virginity. Obviously not all men are like that but from what I've heard men see it as an accomplishment when they take a women's virginity. In the end it's your body and your choice. If the title means nothing to you and you choose to keep it then cool! If the title means nothing to you and you choose to lose it then also cool!
11. Men/women and complimenting each other.
What I mean by this is that women can walk up to other women and openly compliment each other. It isn't weird in the eyes of everybody surrounding them. If anything it is considered something nice and polite and the fact that she went out of her way to compliment somebody is extremely sweet. Or in some cases she's called fake by society. Being nice doesn't make you fake. If anything it makes you one of the real people out there in a sea of fakes. While it is okay for most women to do this, for some reason it is strange if men do it too. Have you ever seen a man walk up to another man and be like, "Hey man I really like that top it makes your abs look amazing?" Probably not that often. In the eyes of the beholder, it is okay for women to do but as soon as men do it their sexuality is all the sudden compromised. Your sexuality isn't proven by being nice, so don't let others get you thinking that it does. And for women, complimenting another women doesn't make you fake.
Double standards are in all genders and will continue to stay until the social norm is broken. Next time you hear somebody call a girl a whore or make a comment about how a man is still a virgin-say something. Today people are fighting to be equal so make it possible to do so rather than sticking with old traditions. It's a new year generation don't get stuck in old ways.
