Age Gap
A man can easily have a partner 10, 15, or even 20 years younger and no one bats an eye. But if a woman chooses a younger man—even just 4-6 years younger—everyone loses their mind. Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s wife, Sam, is 24 years his senior, and despite being together for 17 years and having two daughters, they still have to explain their relationship because the media and public just can’t get past it. Meanwhile, aging male movie stars pick girlfriends 30-40 years younger without raising any eyebrows.
Laziness
If a man doesn’t do any housework, it’s completely normal. The woman shops, washes, cooks, cleans—and still has to beg her partner to take out the trash. If he mows the lawn, he practically expects a medal. Is there even such a thing as a husband who irons?
Widowed
When a woman is widowed, society silently expects her to mourn her husband forever—or at least for many years. My great-aunt lost her husband young, at 42, and when she found someone new five (!) years later, most of the family looked down on her new relationship. They said she moved on “too quickly.” The same people were eager to set up my 15-years-younger cousin, Ancsi, with the 55-year-old widowed neighbor just six months after his wife’s death.
Promiscuity
A guy who dates around is cool. A woman who does the same is labeled a slut. It’s natural for a man to enjoy sex, but if a woman admits it, she’s instantly branded at least a prostitute. (The same goes for masturbation: men do it without judgment, while women get criticized.)
On the Razor’s Edge
If a man doesn’t shave, he either has charming stubble or a sexy beard. If a woman doesn’t shave? She’s seen as a sloppy yeti who doesn’t care about herself.
Swearing
Men swear all the time—in daily life, movies, everywhere—and no one minds. But if a woman utters even half as harsh a curse word, she’s called foul-mouthed, vulgar, and should at least be made to eat soap.
Legacy
If a man says he doesn’t want kids, no one judges him; instead, they praise his responsible choice since the Earth is already overpopulated. But if a woman says the same, she’s seen as clueless, expected to change her mind, and assumed to have mental issues. (After all, a woman’s life is supposed to revolve around motherhood.) When a man visits the doctor for a vasectomy, he faces no shock or humiliation—unlike a woman who wants her fallopian tubes tied.
Loneliness
A single man is independent, self-sufficient, and a catch that women line up for. But for a woman, being single is a stigma as harsh as a scarlet letter. We say “single” about women with such disdain, as if they were lepers. A woman without a man can’t be happy—she’s just a lonely cat lady worthy of pity. Single mothers get judged and looked down on, while single dads are adored and celebrated.
The Inevitable Passage of Time
Men’s looks don’t really fade until around 60—their wrinkles and gray hair just add to their charm. Women, however, are seen as old ladies by society once they hit 40.
Little Things
If a man says his career comes first, we applaud his focus. But if a woman says the same, she’s labeled a career-obsessed feminist. Having a hobby after having kids? Normal for men, selfish for women. A confident, assertive man earns respect; a woman with the same traits is seen as pushy, aggressive, and unbearable.
When a man gets angry and vents, he’s masculine and justified. When a woman does it, she’s hysterical and emotionally unstable. The list goes on: video gaming, loud laughter, being overweight, farting, having strong opinions, standing up for yourself, being introverted—and I could keep going, but honestly, I’m already worked up...
