Double standards – Cont

My previous post was on double standards that exists in relationships. Here I am going to write about double standards in ideologies. Though this idea very much applies to any ideology, I am going to take one ideology as an example and elaborate. The ideology I have chosen is Khalil Gibran's take on possessiveness. It can be summarized in the following quote:

“If you love someone set him/her free. If he/she comes back, he/she is yours. If not, he/she was never meant to be.”

What is the Double standard here? There are 2 types of double standards actually.

• This makes one a hypocrite - Suppose A and B are in a romantic relationship. Romantic relationships are usually accompanied by possessiveness though to varying degrees. But A claims that he/she doesn't believe in possessiveness and regularly quotes the above sentence. A also uses it to his/her convenience to flirt/have fun with other people. But in case B does the same, A is very agitated.

• This makes one a Gandhi* - Suppose A and B are in a romantic relationship. Romantic relationships are usually accompanied by possessiveness though to varying degrees. But A claims that he/she doesn't believe in possessiveness and regularly quotes the above sentence. A also makes sure he/she never comes in the way of B's freedom. A is also fine if B has multiple sexual partners. However A remains very loyal and committed. Now this can have 2 reasons.
   
  • A just feels to be committed and loyal.
  • A stays committed in order to be extra good by giving freedom but not using it for oneself. Now, I would call this as double standards because if one fundamentally doesn't believe in possessiveness, it should be equally applicable to both parties. It means he/she doesn't possess anyone nor likes to be possessed. 

I am not telling about the category to which I belong. But if one has read my previous posts, it's not hard to come up with a guess :-)

P S : I have no idea about Gandhi's take on possessiveness. I am using the name Gandhi as a metaphor for a person with high moral standards (Double standards nevertheless ;-))