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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."

More info: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

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Bonesko
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've noticed a theme with a few of the major religions. 'Don't murder', 'don't worship any God but me', and 'ladies cover your hair. No one likes a s***.' 🙄. But if you want to that's ok too.

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Seb Benson
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9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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"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."

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Angeldust McQuade
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9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly I got more cat calls a a child than I do as an adult and that’s disturbing

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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.

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"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."

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Remi (He/Him)
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9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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Kira Okah
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9 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you ever been to a deeply filial society, like in China or Malaysia? Because this is commonly directed at both men and women in filial societies.

София Харитонова
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In China single women over thirty are literally called "garbage". Men are not. Stop with this "Men suffer too!" rhetoric, it's harmful.

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JenC
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When are you going to settle down and have children, your biological clock is ticking.

nomnomborkbork
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and to continue, "He spends all his time working! So what if he's a successful and dedicated professional?? If he's not married and having children, he's worthless!"

Surenu
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got this from my mother when I was 25 and struggling with alcoholism and mental illness.

Highball
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This woman lives in a different culture or in times long gone and is a self-persecuted and a bit warped.

Krod Mandoon
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, my parents are super proud of me turning 40 a few days ago and being childless and single...oh wait...

Jayne
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next month I turn 35, unmarried, childfree, and happy AF. Anyone wanna get together online late February?

Marissa D
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's when you say, "And I'm f*****g happy with it!" Not everyone needs to be in a relationship to be happy.

gary thompson
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Artist must be a woman and a narcissist..this IS real life for men already. Always has been.

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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."

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"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.

Image credits: lainey.molnar

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