double standard

Platforms of Female Republican Candidates
Politics

The GOP's Female Front-Runners: Mean Girls or Role Models?

Most of us knew a pack of mean girls in high school — some of us probably even ran with that pack, whether we want to admit it now or not!
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Most of us knew a pack of mean girls in high school — some of us probably even ran with that pack, whether we want to admit it now or not! And anyone who's ever worked or socialized with other women (so, anyone) can attest that the mean girls phenomenon carries over into adulthood.

But where do you draw the line between a grown-up "mean girl" and an assertive, powerful woman? According to a couple female columnists over the weekend, the current female GOP front-runners in this Fall's political races are toeing that line — and often crossing it.

Last weekend, Senate candidate Sharron Angle demanded that Harry Reid "man up" during a debate in Nevada. California's Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman infamously hung her housekeeper out to dry once it was revealed she was an undocumented worker. In California's Senate race, Carly Fiorina is calling for Roe v. Wade to be overturned. And the list goes on!

In your mind, do these actions add up to ruthless, mean girl politics? Or are these female candidates simply doing what it takes to get noticed and get ahead in a male-dominated political landscape?

Double Standards Still Exist in the Workplace
career

The Double Standard Is Alive and Well at Work

We’ve already determined that the gender gap hasn’t quite closed — especially at the top, men are continuing to outearn women, sometimes by an alarming amount.
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We’ve already determined that the gender gap hasn’t quite closed — especially at the top, men are continuing to outearn women, sometimes by an alarming amount. But according to New York Times blogger and management coach Peggy Klaus, the wage gap isn’t the only gender issue women face in the workplace today; the good ol' double standard is also still alive and well. To see some examples, keep reading.

You Asked: We Both Cheated
relationships

You Asked: We Both Cheated

Dear Sugar, I've been with my boyfriend for a year and a half.
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Dear Sugar,

I've been with my boyfriend for a year and a half. When we first started dating, we were both beginning graduate school at different universities, though they were only a few minutes away from each other. As a result, even though we were dating, we spent a lot of time socializing apart from each other. During the first five months, I cheated on him repeatedly. I made out with a bunch of different guys until I finally woke up to how shameful and inconsiderate of a person I was, and I broke up with him. I spent some time on my own, examined myself long and hard, and got my act together. Eventually we got back together and I haven't cheated on him since. We're stronger than ever now, but I know it's only because he has no idea what I did to him.

So, keeping my history in mind, can you advise me on a situation that has just come up between us? Last night he got drunk at a party and kissed a random girl. He called and left me a message about it right away. He was extremely remorseful and begged me for forgiveness. My friends who were at the party as well told me that the girl was all over him, he was being egged on by some of his friends, and when it happened, he pulled away quickly and was mortified. I forgive him, of course — how can I not considering all the times when I behaved just like that girl? — but I don't know what to say to him about it. If I tell him it's not a big deal, that these things happen, I know he'll question my morals because he believes I don't stand for cheating. But if I say to him that that sort of situation can't happen again, I'll be a hypocrite. I know in my heart that I could never claim to be above that kind of behavior, so what do I do? Tell him the truth? I feel that I've changed, but does that give me the right to expect better from him? — Double Standard Debbie

To see DearSugar's answer, read more