Out Of All The Double Standards Out There, People Are Tired Of These The Most

Saying that rules apply to everyone without any exceptions would be a huge fat lie and everyone who spent a decent amount of time on this earth would fully agree with that statement. Rules simply do not apply to a minority of people in the world and you will notice that pretty much in every aspect of life, either in the workplace, school, or even in your own household.

Double standards are basically everywhere and you can never escape them. Each one of us is particularly more annoyed about one or more specific double standards, but that does not mean that the rest of them simply disappear just because they do not affect us personally.

We usually become more and more aware of the many double standards in this world the older we get. Reddit user u/WistfulNightSky asked “What double standard are you tired of?” on r/AskReddit, and they got some pretty interesting responses from many users that explained in detail why they dislike that particular double standard.

You might already be aware of some of these double standards and you might learn about more that you didn't even know existed. Scroll down below and check them out for yourself!

1. You just can never win

People often criticize individuals for their weight, urging them to lose pounds while simultaneously expressing outrage when they see them in gyms. This hypocrisy extends to the ridicule faced by those who attempt to exercise, as well as the backlash against companies that create workout clothing for larger sizes, which some deem as “promoting obesity.” Dr. Barry Schwartz, a renowned psychologist, emphasizes that “the way we judge others often reflects our own insecurities.” Meanwhile, a skinny person indulging in an entire pizza is met with admiration, while others are scrutinized for simply existing. As noted by life coach Iyanla Vanzant, “People will always have opinions, but it’s essential to love yourself regardless of their judgments.” Posting a picture in a dress can lead to a barrage of negative comments, highlighting the double standards that persist in our society.

Dr. Barry Schwartz | Iyanla Vanzant

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2. "Religions preaching love while inciting hate filled conflicts."

According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a renowned relationship therapist, "Double standards can create significant strain in relationships, leading to feelings of resentment and misunderstanding." She emphasizes the importance of open communication to address these issues effectively. For more insights on navigating relationship dynamics, visit her professional website at Dr. Alexandra Solomon.

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3. "Politicians being able to openly violate the law and nobody does anything."

Dr. William Doherty, family therapist states, "Double standards can create significant emotional distress in relationships, as they often lead to feelings of unfairness and resentment." This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author, who emphasizes, "When one partner feels they are held to a different standard, it can erode trust and intimacy." Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering healthy relationships and mutual respect.

4. "Why is dental insurance diffrent from "health insurance" aren't teeth part of my overall health wth!!"

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5. "Your boss getting angry if you're a couple minutes late but then expects you to have no problem regularly staying on 2+ hours after your shift is meant to end."

Dr. William Doherty, family therapist states, "Double standards can create significant rifts in relationships, as they often lead to feelings of resentment and inequality." This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Brené Brown, vulnerability researcher, who emphasizes that "recognizing and addressing double standards is crucial for fostering trust and connection." As people become increasingly aware of these discrepancies, it's clear that the demand for fairness and equality in various aspects of life is growing.

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6. "Parenting double standards. The gender of the parent does not make the parent. Dads are not "babysitting" their children, they are parenting."

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7. "Billionaires calling poor people lazy."

According to Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and author, "Double standards can create significant emotional distress and feelings of injustice." She emphasizes that these discrepancies often lead to frustration and resentment in relationships. For more insights on navigating these issues, visit her professional website at Dr. Ramani Durvasula.

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8. "Me, a non smoker, being told off for being 5 minutes late to work. While smokers spend 30 mins at least a day on smoke breaks."

According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist, "Double standards often create a sense of injustice and frustration in relationships." This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Susan David, emotional agility expert, who notes, "When people feel that they are held to different standards than others, it can lead to resentment and disengagement." These insights highlight the growing fatigue people feel towards societal double standards, emphasizing the need for fairness and equality in all aspects of life.

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9. "Celebrities lecturing about climate change when they have the carbon footprint of a small town.."

Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcher and author states, "Double standards in relationships can lead to resentment and misunderstandings. It's essential to communicate openly about expectations." Furthermore, Dr. Eli Finkel, relationship researcher, emphasizes, "When partners feel that they are held to different standards, it undermines trust and intimacy." Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering healthy relationships.

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10. "When women get shamed for sleeping with a lot of people but men get applauded for it. Idk I find it gross"

According to Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist and author, "Double standards in relationships can create significant tension and resentment." She emphasizes the importance of open communication to address these disparities on her professional website, estherperel.com. Furthermore, Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, notes that "Recognizing and discussing double standards is crucial for healthy dynamics." You can find more insights from her at dralexandrasolomon.com.

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11. Big companies need to be held responsible as well.

Consumers are often held to high standards regarding their plastic waste and carbon footprints, while corporations like Nestlé continue to exploit natural resources for profit. As Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, notes, "The double standards in corporate practices highlight a disconnect between consumer expectations and corporate accountability." This disparity raises questions about the fairness of environmental responsibility placed on individuals compared to large corporations. For more insights on societal norms and expectations, visit Dr. Jonathan Haidt's website.

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12. Defending yourself.

"It's disheartening to see individuals punished for defending themselves, especially when they have faced bullying," says Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and expert in relationships and self-advocacy. "Self-defense should not lead to further victimization." Many people resonate with this sentiment, feeling that the consequences of standing up for oneself can sometimes be harsher than the initial bullying itself.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Clinical Psychologist

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13. Doctors and Punctuality

"In many professional settings, punctuality is expected, yet we often see a lack of accountability from service providers, such as doctors, who may keep patients waiting for extended periods without acknowledgment," says Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist and author. "This discrepancy can lead to feelings of frustration and disrespect among patients." SourcePexels

14. Double standards between the genders.

There are a lot of double standards between the genders that need to die, many of which have been touched on in the thread, but I'll share one from quite literally a few days ago.I'm male and have a pretty good-sized beard. At a social gathering the other day, a woman complimented it but then asked "Do you ever let people stroke it?" I replied that I did not, but then another woman spoke up with "Well why not? Isn't it flattering? Wouldn't you like the attention?" Not at all hostile, just blatantly "Why not?"To that I replied "How would you feel if someone walked up to you and said 'Oh I love your hair, can I run my fingers through it?'" while miming making a stroking motion.She recoiled and said "Of course not. That's super creepy." Followed almost a second later by a round-eyed "OH."Ladies/Gentlemen, if you don't want someone doing it to you, then why would you think it would be okay for you to do it to someone else?

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15. "They laughed and I just stood there naked pushing on a door"

After swim practice when I was 11, my "friends" pushed me out of the shower room and held the door closed when a bunch of older ladies were getting together for water aerobics. One of them was my teacher. They laughed, and I just stood there naked pushing on a door. Nobody got in trouble.As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, states, "The double standards in how we treat boys versus girls can have lasting impacts on self-esteem and social dynamics." If they pushed a girl naked out of the locker room and held the door, it would be on the news.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Clinical Psychologist

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16. Double standards in job interviews.

How it’s perfectly okay for a potential employer to ask your salary expectations even before an interview, but a candidate asking what the job pays is somehow a red flag for HR and a big no-no.Like, if all the employer cares about is what I will cost them (before learning anything else about me), then I should be able to f*cking ask too. But no, I’m branded as only caring about money. And you don’t you corporate prick?

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17. Women should have that choice.

Young adult women are often faced with the double standard of being deemed mature enough to make life-altering decisions about raising children, yet not considered mature enough to choose permanent contraception. As Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, states, "Societal norms often dictate what choices women are allowed to make regarding their own bodies." This highlights the need for greater autonomy and understanding in women's health decisions. Unfortunately, as noted by many, finding a supportive healthcare provider who respects these choices can be exceedingly rare.

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18. ""Entry level jobs" that require experience"

As society grapples with various double standards, many individuals express their frustration. Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist and author, emphasizes, "Double standards can create a rift in relationships, leading to feelings of resentment and misunderstanding" on her professional website estherperel.com. Furthermore, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, notes, "When we witness inequality, it not only affects our perception of fairness but also our overall well-being," which can be explored further at talbenshahar.com.

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19. "Men not being allowed to be feminine without being labeled as gay."

I am gay, and the amount of times friends, family, and coworkers will point at a man being mildly effeminate and whisper "I think he plays for your team" is nauseating. Like, dude, he's literally married to a woman and has kids. Just because he talks in a slightly higher pitch does not mean he wants the D.

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20. "To borrow from Matt Haig: people being ok with mental illness until someone shows symptoms of one"

As society continues to grapple with various double standards, many individuals express their frustration. Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, states, "Double standards can create a sense of injustice and resentment, leading to a breakdown in trust." For further insights on societal expectations and their psychological impacts, visit her professional website at Dr. Ramani Durvasula. Additionally, Dr. Ian Kerner, a sex therapist, notes, "When people feel that they are held to different standards than others, it can lead to significant emotional distress." You can explore more about his work at Dr. Ian Kerner.

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21. "As a male I cannot take my son to a playground without getting a few strange looks. It's annoying."

According to Dr. Susan David, a renowned psychologist and author, "Double standards can create a significant emotional toll, leading to feelings of frustration and disillusionment." She emphasizes the importance of recognizing these disparities in our daily lives, which can affect mental well-being. For further insights on emotional agility and navigating societal expectations, visit her professional website at Susan David.

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22. "Star student athletes are nearly untouchable. If they make the school look good the school will almost never take action against them."

Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist, emphasizes that "double standards in relationships can lead to resentment and a breakdown in communication." She notes that addressing these disparities is crucial for fostering healthy connections. Similarly, Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcher, states, "When individuals feel that they are held to different standards than their partners, it creates an imbalance that can be detrimental to the relationship." These insights highlight the importance of recognizing and discussing double standards to promote fairness and understanding in interpersonal dynamics.

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23. "Basic laws not applying to people with money or power. I thought the US was based on an idea that nobody was above the law."

According to Dr. John Gottman, a renowned marriage researcher, "Double standards in relationships can lead to resentment and conflict." He emphasizes the importance of equality and fairness in partnerships, which can be found on his professional website, gottman.com. Similarly, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, a sociologist, states, "When one partner feels they are held to a different standard, it undermines trust and intimacy." Her insights can be explored further at pepperschwartz.com.

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24. Struggling to fit in with everybody.

Struggled with social interactions growing up. Half of my life was people telling me not to take things so personally. The other half was being told to conduct myself a certain way so I don't upset people. As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, states, "Navigating social dynamics often involves balancing our own needs with the expectations of others, which can be challenging." For more insights, visit her professional website at Dr. Alexandra Solomon.Pexels

25. Double standards in the NFL

In the context of the NFL, a head coach was dismissed due to racist and homophobic emails, which he undoubtedly deserved. However, players like Desean Jackson, who made anti-Semitic remarks, and Antonio Brown, facing multiple assault allegations, continue to play. Richard Sherman has an assault case, and Tyreek Hill has a history of violence against his family. This disparity raises a troubling double standard where words are penalized more severely than actual physical violence. As Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, notes, "Our society often prioritizes outrage over accountability, leading to inconsistent standards of justice." This inconsistency in the NFL is frustrating for fans who love the game but are disheartened by the apparent leniency towards violent behavior compared to verbal offenses. SourcePexels

26. You don't have a say because you're a man.

Some people I know who are strongly against gender norms told me that I shouldn’t have a say in my wedding since I’m a man…and that my fiancé alone makes the decisions.It was pretty freakin confusing.

According to Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author, "The idea that one partner should dominate decision-making in a relationship is a reflection of outdated gender norms that can stifle genuine partnership." This sentiment resonates with many who feel constrained by traditional expectations.

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27. "When company’s say they are family friendly but don’t want you to work from home or help with child care."

According to Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist and expert on relationships, "Double standards can create significant emotional turmoil, leading to feelings of resentment and frustration." She emphasizes that recognizing these disparities is crucial for fostering healthier interactions. For more insights, visit her professional website at Dr. Ramani Durvasula.

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28. "Corporations can take advantage of employees, but employees can’t take advantage of corporations."

According to Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, "Double standards in relationships often stem from unspoken expectations and societal norms that dictate how we should behave." She emphasizes that addressing these disparities is crucial for fostering healthy connections. For more insights on this topic, visit her professional website at Esther Perel.

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29. People like this are the absolute worst.

My principal taking days to read and reply to my emails, if ever, VS me being told at 8 in the morning that I should have known something because he sent me an email at 10 in the evening the night before. As Dr. Susan David, an emotional agility expert, states, "The ability to respond effectively to life's challenges is crucial, and this includes the expectations set by authority figures." For more insights, visit her professional website at Susan David.Unsplash

30. Politicians not respecting citizens.

Apparently, politicians are allowed to disrespect the citizens of the country they serve, but it's frowned upon to tell a politician to "go f*ck yourself" to their face. As Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, states, "Respect is a two-way street; it should be given and received regardless of status." SourceRespect is respect. No matter if it wears a suit or what language it uses, as emphasized by Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, who notes, "Cultural norms around respect can often create double standards that undermine trust." SourceUnsplash

31. "Covid restrictions applying to regular people but not celebrities or politicians"

According to Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist and author, "Double standards in relationships can create significant emotional turmoil and resentment." She emphasizes the importance of open communication to address these disparities on her professional website, drlauraberman.com. Additionally, Dr. Eli Finkel, a leading relationship researcher, states, "When one partner feels they are held to a different standard, it can undermine the foundation of trust." His insights can be found at elifinkel.com. These perspectives highlight the growing frustration people feel regarding double standards in various aspects of life.

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Thankfully, we are gradually getting rid of many double standards that managed to survive for thousands of years. Little by little, we will succeed to get rid of some of these double standards but we still need more time, work, and patience for something as major as that to happen.

It was interesting to see how double standards actually affect people in their daily lives. Many users gave concrete examples that perfectly illustrated how they felt about the double standard in question.

This could be a learning experience for many people thanks to the different perspectives these users offered.