Why are there more ''rules'' for women than for men?

Post Reply New Topic

I don't mean actual social interaction rules. I mean more so fashion rules and behaviour. There seems to be more ''it's OK if a man does it but if a woman does it....'' than ''it's OK of a woman does it but if a man does it....'' Like I often see men walking along whistling or humming to themselves, but women don't seem to do it but if they are seen doing it, people would pick them out. Also men seemed to be allowed to wear what they want (except for skirts), but I mean clothes that don't match or ''look funny'', but women seem to have to wear what goes with what, and can ''look funny'' at the slightest thing. I've even seen men wearing shorts with blue socks and white trainers, but whenever I want to wear socks with trainers and shorts, people are like ''oh no, don't wear socks - you'll look funny.'' Also men don't have to shave their legs or armpits, and they don't even have to shave their face either, nor pluck their eyebrows. They only shave their face if they personally want a clean-shaven look, but if men choose to grow a beard then they still don't stand out or get ridiculed, whereas if I went out choosing to not shave my legs, dear oh dear, I'll never hear the end of it! It seems that women are more obliged to do more with their bodies and have to act in a certain way when out in public, and men can get away with more. The only thing that women can do what men can't, is cry. Luckily we are allowed to cry if we are freaked out. Well, only if it's a reason what other people can empathise with, otherwise we can't cry.
Also it seems like men can get away with letting themselves go, like with body language. How many men have you seen walking about with a big beer belly in front of them? Nobody seems to ridicule them, but if I was seen in a fat shape or with a big beer belly, I would be completely ridiculed.
Also it seems like women's body language sticks out more than men. I know the sweetest of men who still walk along looking like they're about to punch someone, but if a woman was walking in a way what showed up her feelings, people would look and judge it against her. So, as a woman, it seems I have to be careful with what I do when out in public. It seems that only women can read my body language and I can read theirs, but men can read eachothers perhaps, I don't know.

Oh and by the way I am looking at this from a British person's point of view, the rules for men and women change in other countries but I'm talking about where I'm from.

It's the same here too (Eastern US)

I have noticed the same and also resent the fact that I have to continually display a pleasant, self-effacing demeanor regardless of what I might actually be feeling. In fact, I have had people comment to me that I often appear angry or upset when in fact what I am actually doing is not going out of my way to be friendly and outgoing. I might have a neutral expression on my face or forget to smile at someone because I am otherwise occupied, and automatically they perceive this as a frown and a look of disapproval which of course elicits judgement from them. I don't know how it's different for men but I rarely hear men being admonished for not smiling or bursting at the seams with enthusiasm whenever someone enters the room.

Men have fashion rules as well. Outside of work, many don't care.

Also, when men let themselves go, they are judged negatively for it. The unfashionable guy with the beer gut is going to be judged negatively compared to a well dressed attractive man. You just deal with it and move on with life.

Google people of walmart if you want to see some (USA) women who buck good fashion sense.

And they're totally not judged for that at all. It's not like they're photographed and displayed on the internet for ridicule or anything.

You would be surprised. I wouldn't be if many got a kick out of showing up on there much like many people were proud of showing up on Cops.

Yeah I agree there seems to be a lot more social rules in general for women. I realized this a couple yrs ago when I had a friend (male) who displayed many of the same personality traits that I did. And those same people didnt seem to mind as much. It was like, "oh hes a guy, and guys are like that, oh hes being funny, oh hes a sarcastic jokester". And me, well...those types of comments were really not as welcomed from me. But Im learning to work with what I got. In a sense theres a bit more of a flexibility in a womens overall role. But then guys are still permitted to do all the "crude" things, dont need to dress as well, dont need to smile a lot. Generally a womens role is much more refined, emotionally oriented, and people pleasing. Whereas a guys role is more functionable more surrounded by your ability. I think I would have done better in a ability oriented social role but then I probably wouldnt make it if I were to suddently be a guy now. If I was born into that role, things would have been a lot different. But then you have to consider, if a guy shows emotions, hes mocked and teased by the other guys, and blatently looked down upon, assumed to be gay, etc.