Double Standard Still a Two-Way Street

by Chris Bailey

Original Editorial: Battling the Double Standard

There's a problem known as gender bias that, believe it or not, still exists in our society. Undeniably so. There's a myth among some people - mostly men - who want to believe that because women have been legally given the same rights as men they are now "equal" to men. These people don't consider their own attitudes toward the other sex as part of that equality, and this is truly unfortunate. I agree with Courtney Stone's "Battling the Double Standard" that there is a prevalent trend amongst men (teenage boys in particular) to label women based on appearance. It's degrading to all women when words such as "slut" and "bitch" are tossed around carelessly.

However, while this attitude is typical of some men, I believe that comprable attitudes exist in society and amongst women that are now bringing men down also. Take a look at the modern day male video game protagonist. What do we see? Dante for example. Pardon my oversimplification of his incredibly deep character (note: sarcasm), but Dante wanders around with a sword and guns. He shoots or slices (sometimes both) anything that moves, occasionally pausing to make dumb-ass remarks. And, he's "cool" for it. I'm sorry, but someone with Dante's intelligence in real life would be bagging my groceries, and he'd sooner engage in mortal combat with me than partake of any meaningful dialogue. What example does this set for young men to follow? "It doesn't matter so long as you're big, dumb, and strong enough to kill it"? There are other examples of supreme stupidity being associated with men all over popular media, and it's something that really worries me. TV Sitcoms, video games, and movies are loaded with dumb males as action heroes magically and briefly blessed with intelligence only when it conveniently furthers an already weak plot. Women are getting loads of attention for their plights, and I look around and see young men suffering at the same time while receiving virtually no attention. Check out the entry rates for colleges and tell me why 55% are women. Explain to me why it's societally acceptable for a female character on "Friends" to joke about the dumbass males' stupidity, while the girls are all intelligent, beautiful, and crafty. Show me a game, movie, or sitcom with a comprably moronic female character. There are exceptions to all this of course, but I am referring to what I perceive as the dominant male stereotype.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT MEN HAVE IT WORSE THAN WOMEN! I'm asserting that this "double standard" is an issue that exists amongst both sexes. I agree fully with Ms. Stone's point. I just worry that society's attitude is starting to dictate an ignorance and worthlessness to young men which will lead to numerous problems. While women also obviously have valid complaints (I dare someone to justify why an equally qualified woman CANNOT get the same job as a main in many instances) I don't want either gender thinking that sexism is a one-way street. I get incredibly frustrated by the modern extreme feminism where suddenly it's not about equality, but rather men are turned worthless. This is not a solution!

I don't mean to imply that Ms. Stone is of the extreme feminist persuasion, or that she even implies something negative about men. Rather she brought up a valid issue concerning discrimination. I hope to further elaborate on her view. If we as a society wish to defeat sexism, then it will have to be attacked on all fronts by both genders. Men dominated for a long time and probably have more catching up to do. They should realize this. However, for things the really change, there must also be a realization on the part of women that they are not exempt from sexist sentiments as well.

Men and women are different. Men and women will likely never fully understand each other. However, even just a bit of effort by members of both parties to show some good will and cooperation will go a long way.