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.

#1

Double Standards

Double Standards

David Horsey Report

RELATED:
    #2

    Clothing Standards

    Clothing Standards

    beiibis Report

    Carris Butcher
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Scott Metzger Report

    Zori the degu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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    #4

    Boys vs. Girls

    Boys vs. Girls

    Archie Comics Report

    #5

    Double Standards

    Double Standards

    Anna Maria Jung Report

    #6

    Work Rules

    Work Rules

    Sunny Street Report

    #7

    Fakes And Posers

    Fakes And Posers

    radrangy Report

    #8

    Body Standards

    Body Standards

    AlexandraDal Report

    #9

    Double Standards For Parents

    Double Standards For Parents

    Chaunie Brusie Report

    Zori the degu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Robot Hugs Report

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

    Double standards both ways in one comic. Finally <3

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    #11

    Body Positivity

    Body Positivity

    beiibis Report

    Liliana V
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    xkcd Report

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

    F*k this stereotype, I'm the best at math in my class :p

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    #13

    Leadership Strategies

    Leadership Strategies

    thecooperreview Report

    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Kate Ordie Comics Report

    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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    #15

    Gender Equality

    Gender Equality

    shortpacked Report

    #16

    Shameless Girls

    Shameless Girls

    Brown Paperbag Report

    Jade B
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can I just say that I love the art style of this one? <3

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    #17

    Double Standards

    Double Standards

    For Better Or For Worse Report

    coffee zombie
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Matt Bors Report

    Ivana
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This election just wrecked me, all hope was lost.

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    #19

    Girls vs. Boys

    Girls vs. Boys

    Immer Report

    Ja Legge
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    deadeyedplasticdesktoy Report

    Daria B
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    kendrawcandraw Report

    Captain Planet
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Razzy Report

    Helen Burgess
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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    #23

    Dressing Appropriately

    Dressing Appropriately

    lingerieandlibraries Report

    Flora Polvado
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True, but the same skirt on me will look entirely different on Kim Kardasien. Be aware of your body type. That said, some body types are

    Flora Polvado
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Difficult To dress modestly. One of my friends would have to wear a tent in order to appear totally modest.

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    Stille20
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True, but I also know I can't wear the same shirt as my sister. She also has slimmer legs (we are the same height) and she got sited for her shorts when I was wearing the exact same pair.

    Lena Koh
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True story. But mine came from an older lady wearing same kind of sleeveless top like me. Not my fault that you're flat chested. Tsk! Tsk!

    Hamlets twin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You need to dress more...what's the word... boobily, yes that's it.

    Taryn Wallace
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cont: the shirt wasn't too small, wasn't low cut, wasn't not revealing cleavage it was just a little tighter around the bust than the other

    nathan spencers
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    why are breasts sexualised their main reason is for way to feed children and maybe as an extra shield from harm to absorb blows if your in danger.

    Taryn Wallace
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cont x2: girl who was wearing THE SAME SHIRT but apparently that slight tightness was completely inappropriate for work!!

    Taryn Wallace
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This EXACT thing happened to me and they even told me that if my bust was smaller it wouldn't look inappropriate let me also point out..the

    Coral Schwartz
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my gosh! so true! i'm kind of Chubby and pretty short compared to my friend. once we went to school with the same outfit for an experiment (jeans a bit above the knee and an oversized Anime t shirt), While the vice principal said my friends is looking wonderful she sent me home to change my clothes (I will mention we brought the outfits at the same store at the same day, my size is 1 time bigger than hers).

    why hello there
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One time at school someone came up to me and asked "Hey, is my shirt too short?" and I said no because it wasn't. She had gotten told by the principal it was. I saw someone with the same shirt in a different color and she hadn't gotten told anything.

    Christina T
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This has actually happened when I was in hs. My friend and I wore the exact same shirt and she was told to change because she didn't"follow dress code", just bc her boobs were bigger than mine.

    Grim Grimson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They're dressing pretty decent. Green though, black or red is a good color for shirts.

    Declan Brizzi
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We really haven't changed since a century ago. How disgraceful.

    Tiger-Lily
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yasss! thank you! MY MOM WILL DO THIS TO ME! so frustrating!!

    Terry Davidson
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Very true. I was in a program where I was forced to wear a bra in the sticky heat, but the flat chested girls weren't.

    Denise Oswald
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had this happen more times than I can count!

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    #24

    Girls vs. Boys

    Girls vs. Boys

    Brown Paperbag Report

    Kristin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    Society's Take On Men

    Society's Take On Men

    Rasenth Report

    Michel M. Prins
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    howbabycomic Report

    Sheila Stamey
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Razzy Report

    Andrew Petrykowski
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Last Place Comics Report

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

    To be fair, the vagina is the inside part. So...

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    #29

    Double Standards

    Double Standards

    Scott Adams Report

    coffee zombie
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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    #30

    Appearance Standards

    Appearance Standards

    John Lydgate Report

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

    I'm more like the right half. And I'm fine.

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    #31

    Comic Book Characters

    Comic Book Characters

    mcginty and sharpley Report

    Kori K. Warriner
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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    #32

    Sexualizing Bodies

    Sexualizing Bodies

    Jago Dibuja Report

    Stille20
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Cyanide and Happiness Report

    Ivana
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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    #34

    Double Standards

    Double Standards

    megacynics Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #35

    Problem Solving

    Problem Solving

    Razzy Report

    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Justin Hubbell Report

    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    mamaiscomic Report

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

    But really, what's their purpose from evolutionary point of view?

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    #38

    Men And Women

    Men And Women

    Everyday feminism Report

    Eglė Liubinaitė
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    John Lydgate Report

    Luc Mailloux
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Daisy Bernard Report

    Amanda Sango Hibbs
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why I like the medical field. Everyone dresses the same

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    #41

    The Smiley Face Double Standard

    The Smiley Face Double Standard

    endlessorigami Report

    #42

    Double Standards In Relationships

    Double Standards In Relationships

    John Lydgate Report

    Pasca Mouse
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    Le Rage Comics Report

    sunnyrei82
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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

    spaceavalanche Report

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

    Some people really don't get it that it's not same....

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    See Also on Bored Panda
    #45

    Gender Equality

    Gender Equality

    Pablo Stanley Report

    Silvia
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created 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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