Double Standards

[6mmichael]

We live in a society that wants us to express ourselves and not be afraid to be who we are. However there is still different standards for men and women. Everyday we see child stars try to transition into the adults they wish to be. Many of these celebrities are seen as role models to the youth of our country. Two of the most recent transitions into adult hood have been Miley Cyrus and Nick Jonas. Both ex-Disney Channel stars have been proud to show their bodies. Cyrus was called "degrading" to women, however Jonas received positive feedback encouraging him to show his body off. Miley was called names like slut, while Nick was praised. Do you think setting these different standards for men and women affect the self confidence of our developing youth?

  

miley nick

[3cdelia]

I think that the double standards ingrained in modern society negatively affect ALL parties involved. The example you discuss is a really good way of expressing that two people in the same age range, background, presence in media, and actions can be regarded in completely different ways simply based on gender. It is a social norm that a girls are shamed for being sexual while boys are congratulated. Slut shaming is so deeply integrated into our lives whether we notice it or not, from the pedestrian comments, to the federal cases, this word and this attitude are present in our lives each and every day. Slut shaming is definitely not the only double standard though. Boys in society are never expected to show emotion, be sensitive or exhibit other feminine qualities. Also, boys are expected to be muscular and larger (reinforced by the media), while girls are expected to be as small as possible. The double standard truly never end, continuing to create unrealistic and unjust expectations.

[6pwallis]

I believe that standards set by society today most definitely influence the youth of our country. The idea of being thin is a huge phenomenon in the teenage culture. We are constantly exposed to the size 2, 5'9'', 110lb celebrities, and after a while it is hard to not reflect negatively on ourselves. However, the spectrum of fat to skinny is extremely small, girls who weight 120lbs are seen as fat! With the media constantly creating an environment for comparison, it is difficult to maintain self confidence and a positive view of ourselves. Teenink.org published an article about a poll that they took among teenagers, www.teenink.com/opinion/entertainment_celebrities/article/82342/Celebrities-and-Their-Influence/, and 77% of teenagers today said that celebrities have a negative affect on teens. As a teenage girl I know how hard it is to watch TV and see girls who are extremely skinny and not see myself as anything but fat. However, it is our job to make sure that this phenomenon comes to end. We need to realize that the weight that these women are at is not necessarily healthy, and it is not template for teenage girls to mimic.

[3mkristion]

I completely agree with the idea that double standards affect both males and females negatively,but I also feel like today's society only explores how females get the short end of the stick. In the news there is constantly women feminist speaking up on women's rights and how men take advantage of them. These people fail to realize that women also take advantage of their position and how they use the double standards to their gain. For example, last Friday a girl cursed me out and told me I act like a little girl. She got in my face and she proceeded to spit and yell in front of everybody. She knew if I defended myself, I would look weak for arguing with a girl.She knew I couldn't hit her, because she's a girl and that would be wrong right? If I sat there I would also look weak, so it was a loose, loose situation. This girl was a bully and she used double standards to her benefit. If women want to be considered equal they have to accept everything that comes with the territory. Which includes being drafted, if the draft was reestablished. If they hit men , they must expect to be hit back , and they cant dog guys out for being sensitive. If we are going to be equal we have to do it completely surrounding every parameter. In a recent interview, Emma Watson stated "Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong… It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals."(Speech by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson at a special event for the HeForShe campaign, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 20 September 2014) Her statement is exactly what needs to happen. IF women want equality they cant only expect guys to be strong, they cant make fun of and judge sensitive guys, they cant expect him to bring home the bacon, they should bring home the bacon. Equality isn't something that happens over night, we have to take it step by step.

[10solivia]

I totally agree with the fact that double standards are affecting males and females negatively. I think it's extremely unfair and kind of pathetic that we live during a time where we are encouraged to be ourselves and to not be scared to be different, but we have all of these different forms of media around us trying to conform us to a specific image. This definitely has an impact on the confidence and self esteem of kids growing up and trying to find themselves. It's a confusing enough time without all different people saying that you should be 100 different things. However, the voices of social media seem to outweigh those of one's family and loved ones. This is because kids really look up to celebrities, and think that what they do sets a template for what they have to do to be like them. We need more people telling children to just do what makes them happy, and stop the shaming of whatever that is. People should be afraid to have confidence in themselves.