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

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.

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

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2020.609571 ◽

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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DUPLO PADRÃO SEXUAL E CONTRACEÇÃO NOS ADOLESCENTES

International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología ◽

10.17060/ijodaep.2014.n1.v1.381 ◽

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.

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Sexual double standard and affective-sexual behaviors in adolescence

Revista de Enfermagem UFPE on line ◽

10.5205/reuol.1718-11976-4-le.05spe201104 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 328 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Otília Brites Zangão ◽

Maria Margarida Sim-Sim

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Secondary School ◽

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Double Standard ◽

Sexual Double Standard ◽

Executive Council ◽

Study Results ◽

Study Population ◽

Ethical Component

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the perception of young people in relation to the Sexual Double Standard in the context of emotional-sexual experiences. Method: this is about a descriptive study from quantitative approach. Data were collected in a Secondary School in the Alentejo region in 2007, authorization was requested by the Executive Council, mindful of the ethical component of data collection with humans. The study population was the student of the school has been chosen by a random sample of 288 students. The data were collected through self-completion questionnaire, being treated with SPSS version 18.0. Results: boys are more conservative than girls, and according to the data, older people are more conservative, as well as those who have more experiences of intercourse. The study results portray how teenagers live their sexuality, girls who “promise but does not" and the boys with his way of showing their excessive sexuality. However we found that overall the sample is more liberal than traditionalist. Conclusion: the boys differ significantly from that for girls, the differences between attitudes and sexual behaviors according to gender support the permanence of the sexual double standard. Descriptors: gender identity; sexual double standard; sexuality; adolescent; sexual behavior.RESUMOObjetivo: identificar a percepção dos jovens em relação ao Duplo Padrão Sexual no contexto das vivências afetivo-sexuais. Método: estudo descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa. Os dados foram colhidos numa Escola Secundária da região Alentejo/Portugal em 2007, foi solicitada autorização ao Conselho Executivo, tendo presente a componente ética de recolha de dados com seres humanos. A população em estudo foi a dos alunos da instituição escolar tendo-se optado por uma amostra acidental de 288 alunos. Recolheram-se os dados através de questionário de auto-preenchimento, sendo tratados no programa SPSS versão 18.0. Resultados: os rapazes são mais conservadores do que as moças e de acordo com os dados, os mais velhos são mais conservadores, assim como aqueles que têm mais experiencias de coito. Os resultados do estudo retratam a forma como os adolescentes vivem a sua sexualidade, as moças que “promete mas não dá” e os rapazes com a sua forma excessiva de demonstrar a sua sexualidade. No entanto verificámos que no geral a amostra é mais liberal do que tradicionalista. Conclusão: os rapazes diferem significativamente das moças pelo que, as diferenças entre as atitudes e os comportamentos sexuais segundo o gênero apoiam a permanência do duplo padrão sexual. Descritores: identidade de gênero; duplo padrão sexual; sexualidade; adolescente; comportamento sexual.RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar la percepción de los jóvenes en relación con la doble moral sexual en el contexto de las experiencias afectivo-sexual. Método: estudio descriptivo con enfoque cuantitativo. Los datos fueron recolectados en una escuela secundaria en la región de Alentejo en 2007, la autorización fue solicitada por el Consejo Ejecutivo, teniendo en cuenta el componente ético de la recopilación de datos con los seres humanos. La población de estudio fue el estudiante de la escuela ha sido elegida por una muestra aleatoria de 288 estudiantes. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de cuestionario de auto-realización, siendo tratado con el programa SPSS versión 18.0. Resultados: los niños son más conservadoras que las niñas, y de acuerdo a los datos, las personas mayores son más conservadores, así como aquellos que tienen más experiencias de las relaciones sexuales. Los resultados del estudio describen cómo los adolescentes viven su sexualidad, las niñas que "promete, pero no" y los chicos con su manera de mostrar su sexualidad excesiva. Sin embargo, encontramos que, en general la muestra es más liberal que tradicionalista. Conclusión: los niños difieren significativamente de las niñas, las diferencias entre las actitudes y los comportamientos sexuales de acuerdo a apoyar la incorporación de la permanencia de la doble moral sexual. Descriptores: identidad de género; doble estándar sexual; sexualidad; adolescente; conducta sexual.

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The Gender Gap in Orgasms: Survey Data from a Mid-sized Canadian City

10.31235/osf.io/p6yj9 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Nicole Andrejek ◽

Tina Fetner

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Sexual Behavior ◽

Survey Data ◽

Gender Gap ◽

Strong Association ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Oral Sex ◽

Men And Women ◽

Clitoral Stimulation ◽

Canadian City

Objective: Previous research has established a gap in orgasm frequency between men and women. This study investigates explanations for the gender gap in orgasm. Methods: Crosstab analysis and logistic regression are used to examine the gender gap in orgasms from one Canadian city: Hamilton, Ontario (N = 194). Results: We find a strong association between women’s orgasms and the type of sexual behavior in which partners engage. Women who receive oral sex are more likely to reach orgasm. Conclusion: Sexual practices focused on clitoral stimulation are important to reducing the gender gap in orgasms.

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Fertility Desires among Men and Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nairobi Slums: A Mixed Methods Study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0106292 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. e106292 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Eliud Wekesa ◽

Ernestina Coast

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Men And Women ◽

Fertility Desires ◽

Women Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Hiv Aids

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The Sexual Double Standard

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1111/j.1471-6402.1998.tb00173.x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 505-511 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

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.

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