Gendered erotic expectations have been found to influence people's perceptions of leadership, legitimacy, and public engagement. According to some studies, men who are perceived as more attractive and masculine tend to be seen as better leaders than women.
One study conducted among U.S. college students showed that participants were less likely to vote for an unattractive woman running for president compared to an equally unattractive man. Another study investigated how gendered erotic expectations shape attitudes towards female political candidates and found that when asked to rate a list of qualities they associate with political leaders, both male and female participants rated physical appearance as more important for a potential female leader than for a potential male leader.
Research has shown that there is a link between sex appeal and trustworthiness, whereby individuals who are considered physically attractive are deemed to possess greater integrity than those who are not. This suggests that gendered erotic expectations may play a role in shaping public perceptions of political leaders. In terms of legitimacy, researchers have found that gendered erotic expectations can also impact how people view certain types of authority figures. One study found that heterosexual men were more likely to see same-sex couples in power positions as being less legitimate than heterosexual couples. The authors argue that this may reflect society's preference for traditional gender roles, which assigns certain characteristics to each gender.
Gendered erotic expectations can affect public engagement by shaping the ways in which individuals interact with political institutions.
A study examining the relationship between sexual objectification and civic participation revealed that women who experienced higher levels of sexual objectification reported lower levels of political efficacy (i.e., their sense of personal effectiveness at influencing politics) and less desire to participate in politics. The findings suggest that gendered erotic expectations can limit women's ability to meaningfully participate in democratic processes.
How do gendered erotic expectations influence perceptions of leadership, legitimacy, and public engagement?
Gendered erotic expectations are widely held by individuals who have internalized cultural norms and stereotypes about what constitutes attractiveness in men and women in terms of physical attributes, behavioral patterns, and performance standards in various settings, including workplaces. These expectations can significantly impact how people perceive leadership, legitimacy, and public engagement in both positive and negative ways.