. A man cheated — and everyone around is ready to forgive or explain, like, it’s male nature, it’s normal. But a woman smiled at someone at a party, and she’s immediately put in a corner, as if she’d done something terrible. Why is that?

It seems that a strange double standard has taken root in society. It’s as if a man is given the right to make mistakes, and even if he doesn’t act in the best way, it’s still perceived as something natural, almost heroic — after all, he’s fighting with himself, with his desires. And a woman should be perfect, without the right to weaknesses and impulses. It’s as if if she shows even a little freedom in communicating with other men, it’s already a betrayal, and she’s condemned for it much more than a man who really crossed the line.

I wonder why we ourselves so easily accept that a man can "make a mistake" and a woman cannot? 🤨 Maybe because a man has always been associated with a hunter, a conqueror, and a woman with a keeper of the family hearth? And if a woman stops living up to this image, then for society it is as if it is the end of everything. It is as if she breaks the main rules of the game.

But flirting is just a game, light attention, a way to feel desired and alive. It does not always mean cheating or betrayal. But why then is society not ready to accept this for women? Men get away with almost everything, but women do not.

Perhaps another reason is that men are expected to prove strength and stability, and women are expected to be absolutely faithful and constant. And if a woman deviates from this line even a little, she will be immediately branded. And a man is even allowed to show weaknesses, make mistakes and still remain "on top".

How does this help? Who benefits from this? It seems that this system only complicates everyone's lives. After all, both men and women want to be understood and accepted not as symbols or roles, but as ordinary people with their own desires, fears and mistakes.

It seems to me that if we stopped putting women and men in such different frames, people would become freer and happier. Maybe we should just let everyone be themselves, without scary labels and double standards? After all, flirting is just a game, and cheating is something completely different.

What do you think? Why do you think it is so difficult to accept that a woman can simply enjoy attention without crossing the line? Why is this division so important? 🤷‍♀️

Tell me, I'm interested to know your opinion.

Mari