Gendered Expectations Influence Sexual Desire, Behavior, And Long-Term Relationship Outcomes
A common belief is that men and women have different sexual desires, behaviors, and needs in a romantic partnership. This means that male and female partners might approach their sex life differently and respond to each other's sexual behaviors and preferences. According to researchers, these differences are due to gendered expectations for sexual behavior in heterosexual couples.
What Are Gendered Expectations?
Gendered expectations refer to how society defines and expects members of different genders to behave sexually based on prevalent norms. These expectations often shape the way people interact sexually within a relationship, influencing their satisfaction levels and long-term outcomes.
Society might expect men to be dominant during intimacy while expecting women to be submissive. As such, a man who does not follow societal expectations may experience reduced sexual desire or interest from his partner.
How Do Gendered Expectations Impact Sexual Desire?
Gendered expectations can influence sexual desire by creating an atmosphere where one person feels they do not meet the expectations imposed on them by society. The result is dissatisfaction with the relationship, especially if it is expected that their partner should fulfill all their sexual needs.
A mismatch between what individuals want and what they think their partner wants can create stress within a relationship.
A woman may feel guilty about her sexual desires, particularly when she does not see herself as 'sexy enough.' In turn, this will affect her ability to achieve orgasm and enjoy sex, leading to a lower level of sexual satisfaction. On the other hand, a man who believes he must always initiate sex may develop performance anxiety if his partner is not interested, which impacts his sexual drive.
How Can Gendered Expectations Impact Behavior?
Gendered expectations also play a role in determining acceptable sexual behaviors for male and female partners.
Society dictates that men should take the lead in bed, but what happens if a man finds his partner unwilling to engage in certain activities? Will he still insist on having sex even though he knows his partner is uncomfortable? This kind of situation can lead to resentment and conflict.
Society expects women to be more emotionally invested than men during intimacy, implying that only women are allowed to share feelings after sex.
This may create confusion or frustration if the man feels rejected because he cannot express himself freely.
Gendered expectations influence how people interact sexually and create tension within relationships.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Gendered Expectations?
These pressures build up, resulting in negative long-term effects on a couple's relationship. A mismatch between partners' needs might cause them to drift apart or lose interest in each other. Also, one person might feel guilty about being unable to fulfill their partner's wishes or meet societal expectations. All these factors affect the couple's overall satisfaction levels, eventually leading to breakups or divorce.
Gendered expectations have significant effects on how individuals behave sexually and how they perceive themselves. Therefore, it is essential to address such issues early in a relationship to avoid future problems. Communication is key here, as well as recognizing your own sexual needs and desires without feeling shame. By doing so, you and your partner will establish a healthy balance between your individual preferences and societal norms while strengthening your bond.
1 Meston, C., & Buss, D. (2008). Sexual desire. In Handbook of evolutionary psychology (pp. 735–764). Elsevier Ltd.
How do gendered expectations influence sexual desire, behavior, and long-term relationship outcomes?
Gendered expectations can have a significant impact on an individual's sexual desires, behaviors, and long-term relationship outcomes. Societal norms and cultural standards dictate what is considered appropriate for each gender when it comes to sexuality, which can lead to different levels of arousal and satisfaction for individuals of varying genders. Additionally, the way that society views masculinity and femininity can shape how people approach sex and relationships, leading to power dynamics within those partnerships.