Double standard

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A double standard refers to the treatment of one classification of people differently than other groups of people. For example, a belief that it is permissible for teenage boys, but not teenage girls, to engage in premarital sex is a double standard.

When judicial processes are applied more strictly to some people more than others, such double standards are seen as unjust because they violate a basic maxim of modern legal jurisprudence: that all parties should stand equal before the law. Double standards also violate the principle of justice known as impartiality, which is based on the assumption that the same standards should be applied to all people, without regard to subjective bias or favoritism based on social class, rank, ethnicity, gender or other distinction. A double standard violates this principle by holding different people accountable according to different standards.

There is a distinction to be made between double standards and hypocrisy, which implies the stated or presumed acceptance of a single standard a person claims to hold himself or herself accountable to, but which in practice may be disregarded. For example: a man who believes it is his right to have extra-marital affairs, but that his wife does not have such a right holds a double standard. A man who publicly condemns extramarital affairs while maintaining his mistress is a hypocrite.

[edit] Acceptable double standards

In some circumstances, the application of a double standard is deemed acceptable by society. For example, in many countries, laws prevent children or young adults from purchasing or consuming alcohol and tobacco products, while adults do not have this restriction. This differential treatment is a double standard; however, it is often accepted based on the belief that underaged individuals are likely less capable of making mature decisions regarding those activities.

[edit] Gender and ethnic double standards

Double standards based upon raced are typically termed racism; when the double standard is applied by the minority, the term reverse racism is often used. Double standards that involve gender discrimination are labeled as sexism; historically, the term chivalry has also been used to describe such a double standard favorably.