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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.

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    #2

    Clothing Standards

    Clothing Standards

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    Carris Butcher
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Zori the degu
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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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    #9

    Double Standards For Parents

    Double Standards For Parents

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    Zori the degu
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    #11

    Body Positivity

    Body Positivity

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    Liliana V
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    #13

    Leadership Strategies

    Leadership Strategies

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    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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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    #16

    Shameless Girls

    Shameless Girls

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    #17

    Double Standards

    Double Standards

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    coffee zombie
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    #19

    Girls vs. Boys

    Girls vs. Boys

    Immer Report

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    Ja Legge
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Daria B
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Captain Planet
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Helen Burgess
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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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    #24

    Girls vs. Boys

    Girls vs. Boys

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    Kristin
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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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    #25

    Society's Take On Men

    Society's Take On Men

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    Michel M. Prins
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Sheila Stamey
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Andrew Petrykowski
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    tinyghost
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tru, but I think that's not the point of this cartoon, change it to "vulva", the reaction would be the same.

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    Master Markus
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Both are creepy in my opinion. Don't tell me "HEY, check out my kid's genitals!"

    ECor
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be a fair I'd be just as weirded out if somebody pointed out their kid's penis to me. Is that something people do?

    Sharon Fmr
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do not want to see naked babies. I just think about how they may be embarrassed by it later in life. O.o

    Stille20
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How about no naked baby photos... like, babies can be nak'd all the time, but let's not have about of photos with baby gentiles. (which is the worst combination of words I have heard in a long time)

    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find this one sorta funny, don't judge me please

    Luc Mailloux
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a guy, I'm fine seeing babies/children naked if that's just how they happen to be, but I'd be baffled if anyone tried to show me photos of their naked child (male OR female). Any response other than disgust could easily be misinterpreted as sexual interest or pedophilia. While technically women can be pedophiles, I honestly can't think of a single case of such that.

    Master Markus
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, if you look for them, you can definitely find female child sex offenders. I think women tend to be less "suspected" though because of the bias of women automatically being assumed as "motherly", so many people question seeing a single man around children, but might not think twice about a lone women around them. Otherwise, lots of sexual assaults don't make national news, more men tend to be arrested for violent crimes for one reason or another... there are lots of possible reasons why we don't see as many women.

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    Sheila Stamey
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This cracks me up. I remember my sons , a year age difference, learning the word "penis" instead of a euphemism they had been using. My younger son said " hee hee, brother, you have a peeeeenis!" my older stated , "well you do too, you big dummy!" to which younger brother said, "yeah, but its funnier when its you ,hahaha!" baby boy was born to troll!

    Josh Bjerke
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because the male body is perceived as the butt of jokes while the female body is considered "sacred" and taboo, in polite society.

    Leni
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I honestly can't see myself doing either. Kinda weird to show this to strangers on the bus.

    Mary Bittle
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The cartoon doesn't indicate that these are strangers. They could be well-acquainted. You made the "stranger" assumption.

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    _MarioFangirl_
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Both are creepy, why would you casually take a picture of your kid's genitals and show it to someone?

    Cyrus Cox
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    honestly it's weird either way, to draw attention to children's genitalia

    Sam McKillip
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Both are gross, stop showing your kids' bits to people. Unless, I don't really care about girls not having shirts if development hasn't started. Once it starts, don't show that to people without their knowing consent.

    Kyle McHerron
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We're taught that looking at an unclothed little girl makes you a creep. It's hard to get over.

    Elliott Bork
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    soooo many layers besides hypersexualization of the female anatomy it also shows that terminology changes intent, weewee is a harmless nickname but a vagina tells you exactly what it is, oh look at his little penis is pretty creepy aswell

    Emelie
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, as a woman, I would never say something like 'look at his little wee-wee' and show it like that..

    Grace Boden
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's inappropriate either way to show off your child's genitals... I understand that young children get less privacy because they don't personally want it at that age and because it makes changing them more convenient, but showing off baby genitals?? Ewwwww...... They're going to grow up one day and be really embarrassed by that picture...

    Reland McClure
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Parents, have some dignity & don't show naked child pics to people! Keep your naked baby pics private! Without even knowing it you could make your child a target of a child molester!

    Erin Worthington
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True. If a mom displays a naked baby picture, people go "awe". If the neighbor dude across the street shows the mom her baby's naked pictures, people go "wtf"?!?!?

    Mary Bittle
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This cartoon doesn't show the male being a stranger to the child in the picture. Rather, it's shown as the child's parent. One way, creepy and frightening: the other way, just odd and uncomfortable.

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    Aaron Allen
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Uhhh I would have a what the f**k reaction if somebody tried to show me a picture of a babies penis like hell I don't want to see that.

    Aaron Allen
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wouldn't want to be shown a picture of a babys penis either what the f**k is she giggling for

    porcupine
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The penis is the tool of aggression, the vagina is the agressee. I can see why a guy wouldn't understand why this is "socially acceptable," but plenty of grown men stick their penises in baby girls; a grown woman, with few exceptions, is not going to stick a baby penis inside herself. I'm not explaining this well, but this comic is weird and it's weird that the creator felt he needed to point out the unfairness that he cannot comment on his daughter's vagina.

    Nickie LaRue
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pretty sure you missed the point of the cartoon entirely... Its that its not ok to do either.. Sheesh..

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    #29

    Double Standards

    Double Standards

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    coffee zombie
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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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    #31

    Comic Book Characters

    Comic Book Characters

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    Kori K. Warriner
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Stille20
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Ivana
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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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    #35

    Problem Solving

    Problem Solving

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    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Anna Thouvenin
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

    #38

    Men And Women

    Men And Women

    Everyday feminism Report

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    Eglė Liubinaitė
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    Luc Mailloux
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    #42

    Double Standards In Relationships

    Double Standards In Relationships

    John Lydgate Report

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    Pasca Mouse
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

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    sunnyrei82
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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

    #45

    Gender Equality

    Gender Equality

    Pablo Stanley Report

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    Silvia
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated 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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