Double Standards and Double Binds: How Gender Stereotypes Hurt Our Relationships
Have you ever heard the phrase “you know how women are” or “he’s just a typical man.” I’ll confess that my ears perk up and I become skeptical when I hear someone say this. These phrases can often set up unfair double standards and impossible binds, especially in couples counseling. I’ll be sharing a few reasons I think these types of statements are problematic and what you can do if you ever have to deal with this.
First, they are too general. When I’m working with a couple, we’re talking about the specifics of their relationship. “How men are” or “how women are” doesn’t matter as much as who these two individuals are. Maybe most men and women really are like the stereotypes say or maybe they’re not at all. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is how the two of you build your relationship and life together, accommodating to your individual personalities and strengths.
Second, they are often negative and critical. I’ve written elsewhere about the damaging effects of criticism. Saying that your spouse is “one of those” stereotypical men or women carries with it a lot of negativity and blame. And that’s damaging to relationships.
Third, they can be used as excuses. We may bring these things up in our own defense as a way of avoiding responsibility for our behavior. “I’m just a dumb guy.” “I was being irrational and hormonal again.”
Fourth, they often carry with them impossible double binds and unfair double standards.
What’s the big deal?
A double standard is where different sets of rules apply to different people; what’s okay for me isn’t okay for you. The presence of double standards are often bad-news for relationships. They are unfair and invite resentment and frustration. A double bind is a no-win—damned if you do, damned if you don’t—situation. No one likes to be in one of those, especially not when it’s our partner that puts us there.
To be clear, I believe most people who place double standards on their partners (or themselves) or who put their partners in double binds do so unintentionally. That’s why I’m bringing these ideas to your attention. You may not realize the rough spot you are putting your partner in and their emotional reaction doesn’t make sense to you. Learning to recognize and change some of your assumptions may make your conflict discussions go better and may even help you get closer as a couple.
Examples: Double standards
Women who want to snuggle are affectionate. Men who want to snuggle are needy.
A married woman without a job is a homemaker or committed parent. A married man without a job is a failure.
A man who speaks his opinion is strong and passionate. A woman who speaks her opinion is bitchy and shrill.
A woman who raises kids is ‘natural.’ A man who raises kids can’t find something meaningful to do.
Men who like sex are admired and powerful. Women who like sex are sluts and whores.
A woman who cries is in touch with her feelings. A man who cries is weak.
A woman who gets angry is irrational. A man who gets angry knows and gets what he wants.
Even if you read some of these and think they are true, remember what I said at the beginning of this post about the general and the specific. We are all human and capable of feeling the full range of human emotions. Women get angry and have opinions, just like men. Men have emotional needs, have sensitive spots, and get moody, just like women. Check out our blog Your partner isn’t an emotional super-human to read more about this!
Sometimes when we step outside of our ideas about how men are and how women are, we see our partners more fully. We see them as complex human beings. This isn’t some ‘needy man;’ it’s Matt. He’s my best friend and likes to feel touch. This isn’t some ‘irrational woman;’ it’s Terri. She’s my partner and my inspiration; she’s passionate and feels things deeply.
Mentally switching genders can help identify unfair double standards.
Try this if you’re not sure when you’re doing it. If your best buddy or your brother said the same things your wife is saying, would you interpret it any different? If your closest girl friend was saying what your husband is saying right now, would your reactions change?
Examples: Double binds
Tell me how you feel. Be a man. Don't be a sissy.
Be my protector and provider. I need you to be strong for me. & Why won’t you show emotion? You never say what’s bothering you.
Just tell me how you feel. & Don’t be so emotional.
Just say what you want. & Don’t be so demanding.
Any of the above situations is a lose-lose. We send mixed messages. I want you to be tough and strong but then I’m frustrated that you don’t ever show a softer side. I want you to be open and direct with me but then I call you argumentative or demanding when you say what you want. Again, it’s our assumptions about how men and women are ‘supposed’ to be that cause us problems here.
We can either have our ‘perfect’ mate or we can have an intimate relationship with our partners but not both. Allowing each other space to be full and complex people opens the opportunity for us to know each other better, to love each other more fully, and to allow our relationships to benefit from the strengths each individual brings.
If you'd like individualized help getting out of double standards and double binds, give me a call at 951-430-3011. I'd love to work with you.
If you know you need help getting out of double standards and double binds, please reach out to us! Couples counseling can help you! We help couples every week deal with challenges just like this one. If you would like to work with one of our therapists, the first step is to schedule a free phone consultation. Click below to schedule!
You just read our most-visited page! Thanks. We’re a very small business and you could help us out by clicking through to one of our other pages before you leave our site. You don’t even have to read it, though it would be cool if you did. Just clicking through helps us out. Thanks!
Here are some of our favorite posts:
How to bring up complaints to your partner (one of the MOST important relationship skills)
What does quality mental health care look like (just like doctors, not all therapists are great. Here’s how to know you have a good one for you.)
How to preserve your relationship in an argument by calling a time-out (Just like in a sporting event, sometimes we need to call a TO, step off the field, and catch our breath so we can come back to our partners and work as a team again.)
Or check out our amazing services:
Have questions about couples counseling? Visit our FAQs page to find out more!
We are now offering online couples counseling in California and in-person marriage counseling services in Riverside, CA; and online marriage counseling services in Temecula, CA!! It’s so important for you to find the right marriage counselor for you. Learn more about what’s unique about our couples therapists here.
