The Sexual Double Standard

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Gentry
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
Sexual Double Standard ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Multiple Relationships ◽  
Heterosexual Relationships ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Female Target ◽  
Average Average

To explore the operation of the sexual double standard, 111 men and 143 women evaluated either a male or female target, described in a fictitious interview as involved in either monogamous or multiple heterosexual relationships and depicted as engaged in either above average, average, or below average levels of sexual activity. Targets described as involved in multiple relationships or depicted as engaged in above average levels of sexual activity were evaluated less positively than targets in other conditions. Women presented as more sexually active were seen as more liberal and more assertive than other female targets. In this study the sexual double standard was not operating in the formation of overall evaluations of individuals, but it did exert influence on other judgments that people make about men and women.

scholarly journals DUPLO PADRÃO SEXUAL E CONTRACEÇÃO NOS ADOLESCENTES

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Ana Frias
Keyword(s):  
School Environment ◽  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
Sexual Double Standard ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Standard Scale ◽  
Biological Substrate ◽  
Female Teenagers ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract:SEXUAL DOUBLE STANDARD AND CONTRACEPTION IN ADOLESCENTSSeveral areas of knowledge have exploited differences/similarities between men and women and the reflexes that these aspects have in the sexuality experience. Human cultures, structured and shaped on the basis of sexual differences, separate roles, tasks and privileges between both sexes, emerging sexual patterns characterized in each eco-cultural space. Some authors say, female sexuality formula have a higher dose of culture regarding the biological substrate facet, than male sexuality. Objectives: 1) Characterize the trends of teens about sexual double standard; 2) Characterize adolescents attitudes in relation to the use of contraception; 3) Relate sexual double standard trends with contraceptive attitudes. Methodology: Current research is quantitative and exploratory in nature. In a group of 351 adolescents in school environment the relationship between the double standard and contraceptive attitudes were studied, using Double Standard Scale (Caron et al., 1993) and the Contraceptive Attitude Scale (Kyes 5, s.d.). The data analysis was performed using SPSS- 19 program. Results: A double-standard tend liberal was identified mainly in girls, not being influenced by age when considering the total of the subjects. However, double standard was inversely related to age in the girls subgroup. Favorable attitudes were identified in relation to contraception, not influenced by age, noting the girls awareness. Double standard is more liberal in individuals predisposed to use contraception. Conclusions: Sexual double standard and attitudes related to contraception are important aspects to work when you intend to study sexuality in adolescence, to the extent that can increase knowledge of health technicians, particularly nurses, and promote change. Aware of this, it is appropriate to continue to perform studies that characterize male and female teenagers according to contraceptive attitudes.Keywords: Adolescence; sexuality; double standard; contraception.Resumo:Várias áreas do conhecimento têm explorado as diferenças/semelhanças entre homens e mulheres e os reflexos que esses aspetos têm na vivência da sexualidade. As culturas humanas, são estruturadas e moldadas na base de diferenças sexuais, separando papéis, tarefas e privilégios entre os dois sexos, surgindo os padrões sexuais caracterizados em cada espaço eco-cultural. Segundo alguns autores, a fórmula da sexualidade feminina têm uma maior dose de cultura relativamente à faceta do substrato biológico, que a sexualidade masculina. Objetivos: 1) Caracterizar as tendências dos adolescentes quanto a duplo padrão sexual; 2) Caracterizar as atitudes dos adolescentes face ao uso de contraceção; 3) Relacionar as tendências do duplo padrão sexual com as atitudes contracetivas. Metodologia: A pesquisa atual é de natureza quantitativa e de carácter exploratório. Estudou-se num grupo de 351 adolescentes, em meio escolar, as relações entre o duplo padrão e as atitudes contracetivas. Utilizou-se a escala de Duplo Padrão (Caron, Davis, Halteman. & Stickle, 1993) e a escala de Atitudes Contracetivas (Kyes, s.d.). O tratamento dos dados foi efetuado no programa SPSS-19. Resultados: Identificou-se um duplo padrão tendencialmente liberal, mais sublinhado nas raparigas, não sendo influenciado pela idade ao considerar o total dos sujeitos. Contudo o duplo padrão mostrou-se inversamente relacionado com a idade no subgrupo das raparigas. Identificaram-se atitudes favoráveis face à contraceção, não influenciadas pela idade, constatandose contudo maior sensibilização das raparigas. Observou-se que o duplo padrão é mais liberal nos indivíduos mais predispostos ao uso de contraceção. Conclusões: O duplo padrão sexual e as atitudes face à contraceção são aspetos importantes a trabalhar quando se pretende estudar a sexualidade na adolescência, na medida em que podem aumentar o conhecimento dos técnicos de saúde, nomeadamente dos enfermeiros, e promover mudanças. Conscientes desta problemática, sugerese- nos adequado continuar a realizar estudos que caracterizem os adolescentes masculinos e femininos face a atitudes contracetivas.Palavras-Chave: Adolescência, sexualidade, duplo padrão, contraceção.

Double Standard/Double Bind: The Sexual Double Standard and Women's Communication about Sex

1991 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene L. Muehlenhard ◽  
Marcia L. McCoy
Keyword(s):  
College Women ◽  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
Double Bind ◽  
Sexual Double Standard ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Sexual Freedom ◽  
Communication About Sex ◽  
Do So ◽  
The Way

We tested the hypothesis that the sexual double standard, which gives more sexual freedom to men than women, might in some situations make women reluctant to acknowledge their desire for sexual intercourse. We asked 403 college women whether they had been in situations in which (a) they were with a man who wanted to have sexual intercourse, and they wanted to have sexual intercourse with him, but they indicated that they did not want to do so (scripted refusal); and (b) they were in the same situation, but they openly acknowledged their willingness to have sexual intercourse (open acknowledgment). If they had been in either or both of these situations, they were asked to complete a scale measuring acceptance of the sexual double standard, first the way they believed their partner would have completed it, and next the way they would have completed it. As expected, women in scripted refusal situations believed that their partners accepted the double standard more than did women in open acknowledgment situations. Consistent with theories emphasizing proximal determinants of gender-related behavior, scripted refusal provides sexually active women with a socially acceptable way of dealing with the sexual double standard.

scholarly journals Toxicity and Femininity in Love Island: How Reality Dating Shows Perpetuate Sexist Attitudes Towards Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Denby
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
Sexual Double Standard ◽  
Heterosexual Relationships ◽  
Emotional Intimacy ◽  
Cultural Shift ◽  
Sexist Attitudes ◽  
Physical Intimacy ◽  
Sex Positive

Using episodes of ITV2’s Love Island (2016–2020) as a case study, this paper explores the extent to which reality dating shows perpetuate sexist attitudes towards women through a heteronormative focus. Examining the operation of gender roles in Love Island, in the context of emotional intimacy and physical intimacy, this paper proposes that the performance and portrayal of heteronormative ideals disadvantage women. Specifically, by presenting female contestants as overly emotional and irrational, outdated stereotypes surrounding emotionality and hysteria are reproduced within Love Island. Moreover, the stigmatization of sex-positive women in Love Island demonstrates the existence of a sexual double standard wherein male contestants are celebrated for their sexual prowess, while female contestants are shamed and deemed unruly, by virtue of their sexual dominance. Fundamentally, this paper contributes to research on contemporary sexualities by demonstrating how, despite the cultural shift towards greater gender equality, traditional gendered ideals continue to exist in heterosexual relationships, which serve to disadvantage women.

Sexual function after 60

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn May ◽  
Alan Riley
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Health It ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Male Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Age And Sex

Ageing need not herald the end of a satisfying sex life. Research shows that men and women over the age of 60 can enjoy sexual activity, and it appears to be factors arising from the male that, most frequently, influence whether or not sexual activity will continue. With improved treatments now available to treat male sexual dysfunction and an ongoing search for greater understanding of the aetiology and management of female sexual dysfunction, in addition to improved general health, it is anticipated that the proportion of sexually active older people will increase. It is the responsibility of healthcare professionals to ensure that elderly people feel comfortable seeking help for sexual difficulties and that help is made available to all, irrespective of age and sex.

scholarly journals Sexual function changes during the 5 years after high-dose treatment and hematopoietic cell transplantation for malignancy, with case-matched controls at 5 years

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 989-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Syrjala ◽  
Brenda F. Kurland ◽  
Janet R. Abrams ◽  
Jean E. Sanders ◽  
Julia R. Heiman
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Function ◽  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation ◽  
Hematopoietic Cell ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Female Survivors ◽  
Function Recovery

Abstract This prospective study evaluated sexual function through 5 years after myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for cancer to determine sexual function recovery and residual problems. Adults completed measures before HCT (N = 161), with survivors followed at 6 months and at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. At 5 years case-matched controls also completed assessments. Analyses indicated that men and women differed in rates of being sexually active across time (P < .001) and in overall sexual function (P < .001). Both sexes declined in sexual activity rates and sexual function from before HCT to 6 months afterward (P ≤ .05). Activity rates recovered for men by 1 year (74%) and for women by 2 years (55%). Men improved from their 6-month nadir in sexual function by 2 years (P = .02), whereas women did not improve by 5 years (P = .17). Both male and female survivors were below controls in rates of sexual activity and sexual function at 5 years. Most women reported sexual problems (80% of survivors vs 61% of controls, P = .11); in contrast for men 46% of survivors versus 21% of controls (P = .05) reported problems. Thus, despite some recovery, sexual dysfunction remained a major problem for men and women after HCT. Aggressive efforts are needed to treat these deficits.

scholarly journals Climax as Work: Heteronormativity, Gender Labor, and the Gender the Gap in Orgasms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Andrejek ◽  
Tina Fetner ◽  
Melanie Heath
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Sexual Double Standard ◽  
Representative Survey ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Depth Interview

Gender scholars have addressed a variety of gender gaps between men and women, including a gender gap in orgasms. In this mixed-methods study of heterosexual Canadians, we examine how men and women engage in gender labor that limits women’s orgasms relative to men. With representative survey data, we test existing hypotheses that sexual behaviors and relationship contexts contribute to the gender gap in orgasms. We confirm previous research that sexual practices focusing on clitoral stimulation are associated with women’s orgasms. With in-depth interview data from a subsample of 40 survey participants, we extend this research to show that both men and women engage in gender labor to explain and justify the gender gap in orgasms. Relying on an essentialist view of gender, a narrow understanding of what counts as sex, and moralistic language that recalls the sexual double standard, our participants craft a narrative of women’s orgasms as work and men’s orgasms as natural. The work to produce this gendered narrative of sexuality mirrors the gender labor that takes place in the bedroom, where both women and men engage in sexual behaviors that emphasize men’s pleasure to a greater extent than women’s.

Women's Perceptions Of Female Contraceptive Behavior: Experimental Evidence of the Sexual Double Standard

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Hynie ◽  
John E. Lydon
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Social Perception ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
Sexual Double Standard ◽  
Unprotected Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Encounter ◽  
Contraceptive Behavior ◽  
Women’S Perceptions ◽  
Female Target

A social perception study was conducted to examine the effect of the sexual double standard on impressions of a female target. As part of a “social memory” study, 57 female undergraduates read a fictitious woman's diary describing a sexual encounter where the woman provided a condom, the man provided a condom, or the couple had unprotected intercourse. Participants made behavioral judgments and interpersonal judgments about the couple, and rated the female target on several personality traits. Women rated the target's behavior more negatively, and as more inappropriate, when she provided a condom, than when her partner provided a condom. Participants also assumed that the target's partner would feel less positive about her when she provided a condom than if he provided a condom or if they had unprotected intercourse. These results are discussed with respect to the continued existence of the sexual double standard, and its impact on women's contraceptive behavior.

scholarly journals Study of Sexual Satisfaction in Different Typologies of Adherence to the Sexual Double Standard

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Álvarez-Muelas ◽  
Carmen Gómez-Berrocal ◽  
Juan Carlos Sierra
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Social Dominance Orientation ◽  
Double Standard ◽  
Sexual Double Standard ◽  
Sexual Freedom ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Personal Variables

The sexual double standard (SDS) refers to the acceptance of different criteria to assess the same sexual behavior in men and women. To date, the few studies that have addressed the relationship between SDS and sexual satisfaction have obtained inconclusive results. In addition, no study has analyzed sexual satisfaction in people who maintain different forms of adherence to the SDS. This study establishes three SDS typologies of adherence (man-favorable, woman-favorable, egalitarian) in two areas of sexual behavior (sexual freedom and sexual shyness) to examine the predictive capacity of personal variables (age, social dominance orientation, propensity for sexual excitation/inhibition), interpersonal variables (relationship satisfaction) and social variables (gender norms about sexual behaviors) in sexual satisfaction. A sample of 1194 heterosexual adults (51.1% men, 48.8% women) aged between 18 and 87 years (M = 40.63; SD = 15.67), who had been in a relationship for more than 6 months, was evaluated. In men, the highest sexual satisfaction levels were obtained in the egalitarian typology in the sexual freedom area. In women, no significant differences were found between the typologies of adherence to the SDS. Regression models showed that relationship satisfaction was the main predictor of sexual satisfaction in all the typologies in both men and women. In addition, the predictive relationship of personal variables with sexual satisfaction varied according to gender and the SDS adherence type. The results show the importance of studying sexual satisfaction by taking into account not only the differences between men and women. Furthermore, it is essential to consider other differences between people; for example, the difference that derives from the way of psychologically internalizing attitude toward the SDS.

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