At some point in our lives, we have all been there and done it. I have for sure had a double standard, but recently I thought very deeply about it. I remember back in my university days, I had an issue with a friend, which I will not be going into details, but it was very much about my standards. I was not willing to take the road I disagreed with because, for that particular event, it was the same thing as having a double standard and not practicing what I preached.
Fast forward to just recently, I had this friend that I helped in making a decision that was again against what I preached, and I was very much aware of this, it got me thinking, where do we draw the line and how much of a standard do we really have depending on the price of compromising?
Now sometimes this double standard can be a form of bias, and sometimes it is so small that we might not even see it because it sometimes takes a high level of consciousness to spot these things, but in my case it was obvious, and I felt this unease inside of me, so I decided to ask this friend to know if they see it as having a double standard because this is someone I know who likes to set standards too, but unfortunately they did not feel a flinch with the decision, masking it in the “its for the greater good” slogan.
What is a Double Standard?
A set of principles that applies differently and usually more rigorously to one group of people or circumstances than to another
especially : a code of morals that applies more severe standards of sexual behavior to women than to men –
Merriam-webster dictionary
I find the next even better from Dictionary Cambridge.
A rule or standard of good behaviour that, unfairly, some people are expected to follow or achieve but other people are not:
The governor is being accused of (having) double standards in being tough on law and order yet allowing his own cabinet members to escape prosecution for fraud.
Dictionary. Cambridge
If you accuse a person or institution of applying double standards in their treatment of different groups of people, you mean that they unfairly allow more freedom of behaviour to one group than to another.
Mrs Starky accused the local police of operating double standards.
It’s a double standard to say everybody else must play by the rules, but we do not need to.
Collins Dictionary
The above are all standard dictionary definitions of a double standard, but again, in short, it’s having a set of rules or code of conduct that you don’t follow through fairly in every situation; maybe you break that code because it somehow favours you or someone you care about. These double standards can sometimes be big and other times small, or even so subtle that we don’t realize it. In my opinion, another big issue with having double standards is not just our inability to see them, but our inability to see and accept them as a double standard even after being confronted with the facts.
Double standards are a prevalent issue in society that can have damaging effects on individuals and communities. A double standard occurs when different principles or rules are applied to different groups, resulting in unfair treatment. This phenomenon is often seen in various aspects of life, including gender, race, and social status, and it can perpetuate inequality and injustice.
One of the most common examples of double standards is in the realm of gender. Women are frequently held to different standards than men, particularly when it comes to behavior, appearance, and expectations. For instance, assertive behavior may be praised in men but criticized in women, who are often labeled as “bossy” or “aggressive.” Similarly, there are societal pressures for women to maintain a certain physical appearance that are not equally imposed on men. These double standards can lead to women feeling undervalued, restricted, and unable to express themselves authentically.
Plus, double standards based on race and ethnicity continue to be a significant issue. People from different racial backgrounds may be subjected to differing treatment in areas such as education, employment, and law enforcement. This can result in unequal opportunities and experiences, perpetuating systemic discrimination and hindering social progress.
The presence of double standards also extends to social and economic status. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may face judgment and prejudice that those from more privileged backgrounds do not encounter. This can lead to disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and fair treatment under the law.
It is crucial to address and eliminate double standards for several reasons. Firstly, they perpetuate inequality and injustice, hindering the establishment of a fair and inclusive society. Double standards also contribute to the marginalization and oppression of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and unfair treatment. Moreover, they can impede personal and professional growth, as individuals may feel constrained by societal expectations and limitations.
To combat double standards, it is essential to promote awareness, education, and open dialogue. By challenging societal norms and expectations, individuals can work towards creating a more equitable and just environment for everyone. Additionally, implementing and enforcing policies that promote equality and fairness can help dismantle double standards and their detrimental effects.
Double standards are fundamentally wrong, as they perpetuate inequality, injustice, and unfair treatment. By recognizing and addressing these double standards, society can take significant steps towards creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all individuals, regardless of their gender, race, or social status.
This article was written about 3 months before today, for some reason I just did not publish it, not until now after I compromised the integrity of my other blog, just so that I could scale my earnings, and the way I went off track against my standard was very very far off, so obviously wrong that I gave it another name because I did not want to pinch my conscious.
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Well it backfired so bad that I lost my AdSense approval to earn on that blog and it took me about 2 days to acknowledge the fact that I put myself in that position, I feel better now, especially about publishing this content, the whole situation gave me the impetus for action regarding publishing this content, starting a Christain blog, and not compromising its integrity, but above all, for the believer, Christ is our standard, God’s word is our standard. Again double standard is no standard at all.
Credit: Collins (Value Faith)
