There are many different factors that contribute to an individual's physical attraction towards another person. These include their physical appearance, body type, age, race, gender, and personality traits.
One factor that has become increasingly influential in recent years is the presence of online sexual ideals. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have made it possible for people to curate their image and show off their best selves online. This means that users can present themselves in ways that may be completely unrealistic, creating impossible standards for real partners to live up to.
One way this happens is through the use of filters and editing tools that make people look perfect. Users can manipulate their photos to remove blemishes, smooth out skin, enhance facial features, and even change eye color or hair color. This creates a false sense of perfection that people become accustomed to seeing when looking at others' profiles. When they meet someone in real life who does not match these idealized images, they may feel disappointed and dissatisfied.
Another way online sexual ideals create unrealistic expectations is by promoting certain body types as "ideal".
Many fitness influencers post photos of themselves with six-pack abs and toned muscles, while fashion models are often impossibly thin. This can lead individuals to believe that everyone should look like this, which is simply not true. In reality, most people do not possess these kinds of bodies naturally, and trying to achieve them can lead to negative health consequences like eating disorders or steroid abuse.
Social media has given rise to the phenomenon of "thirst traps," where users post provocative or suggestive content to attract attention from potential romantic partners. These posts often feature exaggerated poses, tight clothing, and heavy makeup, giving viewers an unrealistic idea of what a person looks like without all the glamorization. Once again, this can lead to disappointment when meeting someone in real life who does not live up to these standards.
Social media also allows for the proliferation of pornography, which can further skew expectations about sex and intimacy. Pornography tends to present exaggerated versions of sex acts and relationships, with performers portrayed as having perfect bodies and unlimited stamina. This can make it difficult for people to find satisfaction in their own sexual experiences since they have been conditioned to expect something different.
Constant exposure to online sexual ideals creates unrealistic standards that erode satisfaction with real partners because it sets impossible goals and distorts perceptions of what constitutes normality. People need to be aware of how they consume content on social media and remember that there is more to attraction than just physical appearance.
How does constant exposure to online sexual ideals create unrealistic standards that erode satisfaction with real partners?
Constant exposure to online sexual ideals can create unrealistic standards for individuals by presenting an idealized image of what sex should look like, which may not be achievable in reality. This can lead to dissatisfaction with one's current partner as they fall short of these expectations.