During lockdown in 2020, Lainey Molnar started expressing her personal experiences as a woman, and over the years, her visual works on difficult social topics have garnered widespread attention and acclaim.
Now, the artist with well over a million followers on social media is back with another thought-provoking series.
Titled 'Imagine a World Like This,' it cleverly inverts gender roles and exposes the hypocritical double standards against women.
"This took me several days to illustrate, and when they were done and I swiped through them, I had goosebumps," Lainey wrote, sharing the pictures. "It seems surreal and heartbreaking to live in this world."
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So so so many examples throughout the ages where this is true for how women have been perceived/treated... Modern day times proving over and over how certain aspects of our society and specific people's mentalities simply don't evolve. Same s**t, different day.
"I illustrate quite a lot about double standards between men and women, but as my audience is 95% female, it is usually from a female perspective," Lainey told Bored Panda.
"It's easy for us to relate to how the world forces us into a strict lane, while in so many ways men just breeze past us. I knew that illustrating a reverse universe where men are in the strict lane would be something so surreal, it would resonate with everyone, regardless of gender," the artist explained the roots of the series.
"Little girls are raised differently than little boys, right from birth, and sometimes these biases are so subconscious, even those who don't wish to uphold the current patriarchal system or gender norms fall for them, so I think it's important to constantly be aware of what to watch out for."
Sadly I got more cat calls a a child than I do as an adult and that’s disturbing
In part, that can be explained by the (perceived) differences in expectations for men and women. Americans, for example, believe that honesty and morality are what the general public wants to see in males, as well as financial success and leadership.
Meanwhile, women are expected to be physically attractive and nurturing.
We need to have conversations about these rigid stereotypes and what we should do about them, and Lainey's work provides us with an online space to do just that.
Lainey revealed that she's frequently told her content is bitter, negative, and angry, but she disagrees with such an assessment.
"It's simply the 'raising awareness' bit and as it is usually raising awareness to some kind of injustice and unfair conditions, it naturally won't be happy and uplifting," she explained.
"But awareness is just the first step, the rest is empathy, kindness, change, and community. Which are also crucial parts of what I do and what I stand for. So this series is just a visual representation of what we need to be aware of so we can start creating a fairer and kinder world — for women and everyone else."
Pamela Anderson got such a bad rep for someone stealing the sèx tape she made _with her husband_ on their _honeymoon_ . That's exactly when you're supposed to have some.
As is often the case with the artist's works, 'Imagine a World Like This' has become a hit, and received plenty of reactions: the series got over 1,400 comments on Instagram alone.
"I was surprised that the reaction was so overwhelmingly positive and self-reflective," Lainey said. "Of course, there was pushback from men, but I haven't figured out a way to post anything around gender from a female point of view that wouldn't incite the same reaction, so it is something that I have to live with."
"Overall I am very happy that the post gained traction because it starts conversations. In the comments, in homes, in schools, within friend groups. And this is the most important thing."
To continue exploring her creative endeavors, check out Bored Panda's earlier publications 21 Illustrations By Lainey Molnar That Challenge Societal Norms Surrounding Femininity, Body Image, And More as well as 30 Honest And Relatable Comics Exploring Societal Standards By Lainey Molnar.
Whilst there are many many wonderful and amazing things and people around the world, some of these really highlight the parts of the world we live in as they still are... embarrassingly entrenched into some people's minds and hearts... and I find it depressing, deplorable and shameful.
Okay fine, but does anyone think someone who holds these opinions about women are going to see these and say "Oh, now I see how wrong I am."
Posts like this aren't meant to work miracles. Societal change often happens when a thousand small voices speak up, slowly chipping away at strongly held beliefs.
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How about a man's physical appearance being more important than what he can do? "Jake has great legs - I'll hire him." Or being allowed only the most menial jobs, while women can get any job they want and qualify for?
Some things apply to all social groups and are just stuck to a single group by circumstances. I learned that by being the stay at home dad for some time while my wife was the one with the main income. I was genuinely surprised about some things she said to me over time. Things I, as a man, would never have let slip across my lips. Was really funny telling her "And now imagine me as a man saying the same thing to you as a woman." - Things like claiming she did all the work, after I had a day full taking care of the children, doing laundry, cleaning the house ... you know the drill.
At least three of the things on here actually do occur fairly frequently to men, maybe not in our culture specifically but around the world the MAJORITY of men are going through these things.
Give examples without quoting Lobster King. Thanks.
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Get rid of all religion and most of these issue would disappear overnight.. Get rid of social media and the rest will follow...
so....we only mention the tough parts about women's lives when we gender swap like this ? none of the male strugles and problems ? ok.
Whilst there are many many wonderful and amazing things and people around the world, some of these really highlight the parts of the world we live in as they still are... embarrassingly entrenched into some people's minds and hearts... and I find it depressing, deplorable and shameful.
Okay fine, but does anyone think someone who holds these opinions about women are going to see these and say "Oh, now I see how wrong I am."
Posts like this aren't meant to work miracles. Societal change often happens when a thousand small voices speak up, slowly chipping away at strongly held beliefs.
Load More Replies... How about a man's physical appearance being more important than what he can do? "Jake has great legs - I'll hire him." Or being allowed only the most menial jobs, while women can get any job they want and qualify for?
Some things apply to all social groups and are just stuck to a single group by circumstances. I learned that by being the stay at home dad for some time while my wife was the one with the main income. I was genuinely surprised about some things she said to me over time. Things I, as a man, would never have let slip across my lips. Was really funny telling her "And now imagine me as a man saying the same thing to you as a woman." - Things like claiming she did all the work, after I had a day full taking care of the children, doing laundry, cleaning the house ... you know the drill.
At least three of the things on here actually do occur fairly frequently to men, maybe not in our culture specifically but around the world the MAJORITY of men are going through these things.
Give examples without quoting Lobster King. Thanks.
Load More Replies... Get rid of all religion and most of these issue would disappear overnight.. Get rid of social media and the rest will follow...
so....we only mention the tough parts about women's lives when we gender swap like this ? none of the male strugles and problems ? ok.
