Are you someone reflecting on how women are treated in many societies? Or perhaps someone curious about these experiences? Whoever you are, thank you for reading this.
Society often treats women differently, and the effects of these double standards can be deeply felt in various aspects of life. A quote from A Thousand Splendid Suns captures this inequality: “Like a compass needle facing north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman.” Although fictional, this sentiment reflects the reality for many women.
When rape happens, society often questions the woman’s clothing, behavior, or whereabouts, as if these are the reasons why a man committed such a crime. This not only blames the victim but also allows the perpetrator to avoid full accountability. Instead of addressing the root cause, society shifts its focus to the victim, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and fostering an unsafe environment for women.
Double standards also manifest in how people view personal choices. If a woman has had multiple partners, she’s labeled as “cheap” or “slut” with her value reduced to a moral judgment. But if a man has the same experience, he’s often admired as a “playboy” or “casanova,” a title that glorifies his actions instead of criticizing them.
In families, these biases are often reinforced from an early age. Sons are excused from household responsibilities and sometimes even questioned about their masculinity if they help in the kitchen. Daughters, however, are expected to take on these tasks and are often scolded if they don’t. This prepares girls for a future where they are expected to manage all household duties while boys grow up with no such expectations.
In marriage, the inequality continues. A man who works is rarely expected to contribute to household chores. But for a woman, working is often seen as secondary to her “main duty” of managing the home. Even when both partners have jobs, women are frequently forced to handle both work and domestic responsibilities. If a man helps his wife with chores, it’s sometimes considered shameful or unusual.
These double standards extend to infidelity. If a husband cheats, people often dismiss it by saying, “He’s just being a man; it’s normal. As long as you’re the legal wife, he’ll come back to you.” In some cases, society even blames the wife for not keeping her husband interested. But if a woman cheats, she’s labeled as sinful and immoral, facing far harsher criticism than her male counterpart.
These examples highlight how deeply rooted double standards are in society, shaping the lives of women unfairly. This doesn’t just burden women; it also holds society back from achieving true equality. Recognizing and challenging these biases is essential to fostering a world where both men and women are valued equally and judged by the same standards.
