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Equality is humanity's Holy Grail, the cornerstone of most value systems, but we have yet to reap all of its rewards. Sure, our society has tremendously evolved for the better during the last, say, 100 years, but a long journey is still ahead, and the vast array of double standards that still divide people to this day highlight this perfectly.

The double standard definition states that it is a rule or a principle applied to different people or groups. The most prominent case of double standard examples to this day come from gender equality. What's usually okay for men, is not acceptable when done by women. Starting with beach attire and ending with lady bosses, society finds unnecessary ways to chime in about what's wrong and what's right.

Bored Panda has compiled a list of insightful illustrations that uncover the uncomfortable truth behind some everyday life situations, and it's (mildly) disturbing how accurate they are. Judging by these images, it's clear that sometimes terms like 'gender equality' are reduced to no more than a catchphrase. Scroll down to see the proof for yourself, and vote for your favorites.

#2

Clothing Standards

Clothing Standards

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Carris Butcher
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get fake geek girl all the time! I wear big glasses, I dress differently and I do occasionally play games. People I know say I'm trying to be a fake geek girl or gamer girl and I have no idea what they mean. I'm not trying to be anything I'm just comfy this way! I'm glad it's not just me who experiences this

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#3

Body Image Standards

Body Image Standards

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Zori the degu
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Woman's face though: "I live among idiots. Honestly, do you think that I want your f***ing opinion?"

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#9

Double Standards For Parents

Double Standards For Parents

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Zori the degu
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's really annoying. I only have an experience as a passer-by or a witness but I can say some people indeed are narrow-minded enough to act like that.

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#10

Double Standards On Emotions

Double Standards On Emotions

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#11

Body Positivity

Body Positivity

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Liliana V
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact that they are both eating the same thing in the same portion size just really makes this extra sad.

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#12

Generalization

Generalization

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#13

Leadership Strategies

Leadership Strategies

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Anna Thouvenin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That reminds me of the man who made the experience of signing all his emails by a female name for a week to talk about gender inequality in doing business. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/what-happened-when-a-man-signed-work-emails-using-a-female-name-for-a-week_us_58c2ce53e4b054a0ea6a4066

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#14

Makeup vs. Natural

Makeup vs. Natural

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Anna Thouvenin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So damn true. One time I overheard my coworkers talking and these two guys were discussing about "girls who put makeup are so insecure, it's like they couldn't even go out without makeup if their life depended on it". Then another day in the same week, I was so tired I decided not to put makeup. The very same guy saying this was like "omg what happened to your face?". Yeah no wonder why women are "so insecure"...

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#16

Shameless Girls

Shameless Girls

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#17

Double Standards

Double Standards

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coffee zombie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Women don't get round, they get curvy in all the right places. And that's sexy af.

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#18

Gender Equality

Gender Equality

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#19

Girls vs. Boys

Girls vs. Boys

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Ja Legge
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's true. Girls get bashed if she slept with a guy then that guy spreads a rumor abt them. Guy gets cheered on and a girl gets bashed.

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#20

Double Standards On Young Girls

Double Standards On Young Girls

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Daria B
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're a true pro-life, instead of blaming a stranger, do something towards building a society where abortion is not needed. Same goes for (extremist) pro-choicers - instead of hating on some women's decisions, let's do something towards building society where abortion is not something a womam does because "she had no other choice".

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#21

Double Standards On Bodies

Double Standards On Bodies

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Captain Planet
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think only women have a problem with this. I can't imagine guy's really finding this a big deal. XD Also on the beach people sunbathe topless as well so. As far as armpit hair. Well you're free to do it. But people are also free to not find you attractive then. But there are all kinds of things people find attractive and not attractive so I don't really see a problem.

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#22

Shallow vs. Desperate

Shallow vs. Desperate

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Helen Burgess
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

very well done! and the girl in the second instance doesn't even get a speech-bubble, let alone a date!

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#24

Girls vs. Boys

Girls vs. Boys

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Kristin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are people like that?! When boys get laid everyone is proud! When girls get it they get punished!

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#25

Society's Take On Men

Society's Take On Men

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Michel M. Prins
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The second one will always be an idiotic statement, for both male and female. I hear it a lot, yet don't understand why it's a race to get intimate with another person. It's a personal experience and (can be) something special, on top of that: It's none of another's business, and if those think it is, they're the ones leading a sad life. Sure, the term "Lucky at cards, unlucky in love" is on it's place in this regard, but luck can switch lanes now and then.

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#26

Dad Bod vs. Mom Bod

Dad Bod vs. Mom Bod

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Sheila Stamey
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have we totally forgotten how milf went ? Not that that was great but, seriously ? Which one do we pick? Can we just be who we are, male, female, or however, and just be happy? The insecurity is mind blowing to me, on behalf of the observer!

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#27

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Harassment

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Andrew Petrykowski
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How is this a relevant comparison? How about comparing the reaction you get as a male when telling someone about being a victim of sexual assault.

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#28

Things You Can Only Do With Boys

Things You Can Only Do With Boys

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#29

Double Standards

Double Standards

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coffee zombie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dont agree that only weak men show emotion. It's nice to see a man who has emotions instead of trying to act like they are made of stone, with no feelings.

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#31

Comic Book Characters

Comic Book Characters

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Kori K. Warriner
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, I have a problem with either gender of superhero being displayed in a sexual manner.

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Tarmin Slingerfinger
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly I have no problem with either gender of superhero being displayed in a sexual manner

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Nini
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is false equivalence. The designs of characters such as Namor or He-Man are called male fantasies - they're a projection, in which readers can picture themselves in strong bodies. Even if they're unclothed it's extremely rare that they only exist for fanservice - this is almost never valid for female characters, who are drawn in a specific way for the reader's gaze. Tl;dr: Look up the Hawkeye Initiative and THEN complain about objectification.

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Clinton Castells
Community Member
6 years ago

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No, it's the image women want men to look like, that is why guys draw them like that.

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Marina Hilton
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But men are the ones who drew Superman like that, not women. He's not drawn like that for women, he's drawn like that a male power fantasy. Anyone who knows anything about the history of comics would know that.

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Clinton Castells
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6 years ago

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No, guys draw them like that because that is the perfect image of a man in a woman's eyes.

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Katka Hutnikovie
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Namor is not stylized in an unnatural pose to showcase his junk but to appeal to men again, as a muscular idol. He wouldn´t be that uncovered if he wouldn´t be wearing a swim suit. What is the purpose of Power girls boobs exposing costume? Spiderwomans crazy sex poses? Compare her to spidermans. Any female game character ever? - everything unrealistic things from men for men

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Sean
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Idk sure looks like the woman is in an impossible pose while guy is just standing there

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NuClea Bomb
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a big difference between the two. Women superheroes are often sexualised in their costumes specifically for male eyes. Men are often portrayed as being stronger than life, more muscles etc., written for men to project on. They aren't 'sexualised' in the same way. Both should be changed to meet realistic body types.

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Linda Messer
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well....her ta-tas are oozing out and his wee-wee is covered with that small shell...hmmmmm...what if one of his balls was hanging out?

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Amanda Harker
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what is wrong with the superhero culture in general, none of them dress according to what they're doing.

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Marysia Jawłowska
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, as a woman I would like to say it out loud that we tend to see male body as an object in a similar way that men look at females. And just because we have fewer opportunities to do it and it's less socially acceptable, doesn't make it morally superior. No double standards mean no double standards.

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Milda Mockūnaitė
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there any male-character who wears ooonly underpants or something like this???

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Diana CrunChewy Watson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly have never come across this reverse dichotomy. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I don't think it's even close to the norm.

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Alison Jones
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yesss! Thank you! Let's subvert ALL OF IT. I'm AFAB but let's get all of it gone. That's the right way.

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Laura Hewitt
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Frankly, I'm surprised this other Willis comic missed the cut: http://www.shortpacked.com/2011/comic/book-13/05-the-death-of-snkrs/falseequivalence/ Also relevant, to this post, but not talking about the double standard, is https://themarysue.tumblr.com/post/58716099250/jadelyn-enterprisingly-this-is-the-same

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Leni
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure either picture is sexist. Oversexualized, maybe, but not sexist per say.

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TheMsLollidella
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But they're characters, fictional. They can look whatever the creator wanted them to looks like :/

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Allie Orona
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gotta admit. I see a lot of people who do this. People talk about the pendulum swaying from one side to another and back until it hits equality, but why complicate things so much? It's literally just an excuse for revenge. Instead, let's look for equality.

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Pascal Desjardins
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And its called superhero for a reason they are al at peak condition

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Ivana
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't have any issue with the sexualization of women, but I do think we undersexualize men. More men in seashells. Nothing wrong with sexuality but I don't feel like I was ever influenced to see men as sexual, or if they were it was always done as a joke in media. Calvin Klein was about it.

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Clinton Castells
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6 years ago

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MEN draw males like that because that's what is conveyed to us by WOMEN as what is desirable...

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#32

Sexualizing Bodies

Sexualizing Bodies

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Stille20
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they over sexualize super heroes, but there is a difference. The male characters are being portrayed as strong, the women as sexual. If female super heros looked more like Serena Williams or Kerri Walsh it would be different.

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#33

Equality

Equality

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Ivana
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We were playing around, play fighting when I kicked my husband in the balls. It wasn't on purpose and I instantly felt horrible as he spent about 5 minutes in pain on the floor. The worst he got me was an elbow to the nose that caused a nose bleed, and one where he slammed my back into the thermostat. Literally last week my husband asked "Why don't we wrestle anymore" and all that flashed through my head. I don't like the idea of women hitting men any more than a man hitting a woman. The only fighting I am okay with is play fighting.

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#35

Problem Solving

Problem Solving

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Anna Thouvenin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't agree with this one. Men get a lot of pressure on their bodies, as much as women. There is not a single person I met who said that they should "accept themselves" as a way to solve their problems (with getting laid). On the same note, any magazine cover will show that makeup is not a way to solve problems, or there wouldn't be 254 pages of the "new amazing diet already used by 45 stars that will make you lose weight before you even realize it". And we also have countless articles on "accept yourself and screw who doesn't, you don't need them anyway"...

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#36

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable

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Anna Thouvenin
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As someone who hate body hair, both are unacceptable. But I don't care about what they do as long as I don't have to touch them :p

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#37

Double Standards

Double Standards

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#38

Men And Women

Men And Women

Everyday feminism Report

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Eglė Liubinaitė
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I kinda like emotional boys more, like, atleast they aren't like those "badass" shitsacks like others. Also, expressing emotions is actually good for own body.

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#39

Standards For Dressing

Standards For Dressing

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Luc Mailloux
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait... what is this trying to say, even? What I gather is that people will judge you regardless of how you look. Surprise!

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#40

Double Standards In The Workplace

Double Standards In The Workplace

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#42

Double Standards In Relationships

Double Standards In Relationships

John Lydgate Report

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Pasca Mouse
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate it when people are like " Looks likes someones on there period." it's so annoying

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#43

Girl Power

Girl Power

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sunnyrei82
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

women like that are the ones who make people think wrong about feminism. And, because many people are soooo closed minded, they think every single woman who wants equity are like that.

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#44

Double Standards

Double Standards

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#45

Gender Equality

Gender Equality

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Silvia
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. Any statistics on the subject will show that women do not get paid equally for the same job, with the same qualifications and experience.

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#46

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