Double Standards

Double standards are considered to be a sort of biased or morally unfair judgment toward a certain group based on the notion that they are unequal in their freedoms.  If a situation is acceptable for one group, according to certain sects of society, may be unacceptable when applied to another group.

Gender roles and the notion of a double standard pretty much go hand-in-hand.  It’s only been in the last century that the line between roles has become blurrier and blurrier.  Back in the day, men had certain expectations; usually primordial such as hunting, using weaponry, and maintaining an elevated status either within a community environment or domestic.  And in addition, women were expected to demonstrate a level of submissiveness in order to serve and fulfill the needs of her spouse. 

Although, thanks to Women’s Liberation (and a series of other events throughout the decades), the limitations that obstructed women to pursue any activity or act a certain way are pretty much obsolete now.  But, I feel that there will always be some kind of resentment from both parties toward each other.  When women start to take part in “masculine” activities such as serving in the military, men begin to feel as though their position has become feminized in a way.  In addition, people tend to negatively question the sexual orientation of a woman and stereotype.  Lastly, I think it’s the exact same way for me when they participate in women’s activities; people label them as “gay” or assume that they’ve become feminized.

I feel that at this point, standards have morphed so much that I still wonder why the notion of the double standard still exits.  The times are constantly changing and it seems like the most absurd of concepts have somehow become acceptable eventually.