Will we ever be able to rid the world of double standards in relationships? Probably not. But you can learn about them and why they’re horrible to have – especially if you want your relationship to last a lifetime. People aren’t really blind to the fact that guys can do stuff girls can’t and vice versa.
We’re all usually privy to these toxicities in our relationships but we don’t often do anything about them. And those who ignore them altogether usually don’t end up with a happily ever after.
Just because double standards have existed for an extended period doesn’t mean we should keep doing them. In fact, if you really value your relationship and want it to last, the best thing you can do is be aware of specific double standards in relationships.
# Making fun of clothing choicesThis is one you probably don’t even realize exists. Basically, the girl can criticize the guy’s style choices and think it’s all fun and games but the moment he does the same to her, it’s game over. This is the opposite of healthy, and it practices bias and inequality. The fact that she can criticize his clothes means the same could go for her.
But the thing is, we see this all the time and it’s toxic because he might actually be very hurt by it. And he can’t even make her see how much it bothers him. You might think this is shallow, but you’ll never know the real truth by this specific double standard.
# Rules about who you can and can’t hang out with
This is just absurd for so many reasons. If you’re in a happy and healthy relationship, these types of rules shouldn’t even exist. You should just trust your partner to be with anyone and remain faithful. But we see far more women making the rules than men.
This is why some men fear getting in relationships, as they think women will tend to control their choices and the way they live their life. Even if there’s a fear of cheating, both parties should trust one another to hang out with their friends without doing anything that can sabotage the relationship.
When the tables are turned, she’ll get annoyed at him for not trusting her. That’s not fair. Trust should be there.
# Initiating the first moves – or any moves
This is one of those double standards in relationships that has been around for way too long. It’s basically known that men are supposed to make the first move. While this is slowly but surely dying, it really should’ve been dead a long time ago.
Thankfully, women are now starting to be courageous enough to make the first move. However, some are still stuck on the idea that men should make the first move and that if women do it, they’re desperate or needy. Ditch this mindset; it’s not healthy.
# Using your period as an excuse
Ladies, this just isn’t fair. Yes, there are times when your period really is getting in the way of certain things but there are girls out there who fake that their period is an issue. They do it to get out of sex or doing anything they don’t want to do.
As sh*tty as you feel when you get your period, it’s never an excuse to treat your man like crap or demand something you want. It’s not an excuse to avoid being a decent human being or girlfriend.
Guys can’t use anything even remotely similar. Even if they have a headache, their women still expect them to do what they want.
# She can hang out with a lot of guys but he can’t do the same with girlsThis is one of those major double standards in relationships that’s just not fair. Girls can have tons of guy friends and spend all the time they want with them but when their boyfriend wants to grab lunch with a couple of his girlfriends, it’s like the end of the world.
She’ll always control the situation and make it seem she’s doing it out of love. But when guys do this exact thing, they’re labeled as toxic, controlling, or possessive.
# Sex being used as a weaponOnce again, the girl has all the power here and it’s just not really fair or healthy. You should never use sex as a weapon in the first place and when the girl is the only one who can do this, it’s a double standard.
In fact, neither gender should even be using sex as a weapon for anything, even if it’s to get out of something or get what they want. Sex is meant to be enjoyed, not used as a weapon. This is ridiculous because the guy will end up building up resentment.