Double standards have always been a topic of discussion whether it’s at school, the workplace, or even at home with siblings of opposite gender. You may ask what double standards are, double standards are when a principle or rule is unfairly applied in different ways to different groups or people.

Double standards are mainly discussed when it comes down to boys and girls. The reason for these double standards is mainly because of society’s view on boys and girls which comes down to the simple fact that boys are seen as tough individuals while girls are seen as soft and fragile. 

Triniti Wenze, senior, stated,, “Double standards definitely exist. Men get praised for things women would get dirty looks for and talked about for. This is a man’s world no matter what people say women will never get treated equal to men.”

Double standards are seen a lot even at home with siblings, some people may say their parents treat them differently just because of them being a boy and girl they would probably say that their brother gets more freedom than them or that they are allowed to do things that the other siblings wouldn’t be allowed to do.

But double standards can also be reversed for example boys are seen as tough so in society’s eyes, it’s not okay for a boy to be sensitive, boys are seen as messy and dirty, and they are also seen as breadwinners which means they need to bring home the money for their families. Boys do get a lot of pressure put on them by society. Which is always seen in the workplace. Usually, men are taken more seriously than women and even get better compensation for doing the exact same things.

When I asked Charles Lauriston, senior, his thoughts on double standards he stated “I don’t like it but I feel like some are understandable and some aren’t. Double standards make sense to a certain extent because of the way society is structured”.

In schools, double standards are seen in dress code, in the actions both genders do, and even in their language. In schools, you hear people judging girls all the time for speaking to boys or even giving them a negative reputation/label. Meanwhile, boys are glorified for the same things. Double standards go hand and hand with stereotypes.

We are expected to be one way and if we aren’t we are shamed for it. We get a lot of pressure put on us by society trying to be the “ideal/perfect person” and since there’s no such thing as being perfect once you don’t succeed you’re judged. Since most of these views are thought by society we are all brought up with these values/views which makes people think it’s okay to have these double standards which shouldn’t be okay.