Cultural double standards around male and female sexuality have a significant impact on both behavior and self-perception. Double standards are based on gender roles that reflect societal expectations for how men and women should behave regarding their sexuality. In many cultures, males are expected to be aggressive, dominant, and promiscuous while females are supposed to be passive, submissive, and chaste. This leads to different social norms regarding acceptable behavior, dress, and interactions between genders. It also creates internalized beliefs about worth and desirability that can affect an individual's sense of self-esteem and relationships.
One example is the expectation that women be virgins until marriage but men not be. The pressure to remain pure may lead girls to avoid intimate relationships or even engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex to preserve their 'purity'. Meanwhile, men who engage in casual encounters without committing to long-term partnerships may face less judgment than women who do so. This creates a power imbalance where men benefit from being able to take advantage of multiple women while still perceiving themselves as masculine, whereas women may feel shame or fear of being labeled 'sluts.'
Another issue is the objectification of women in media and society. Women are often portrayed as objects meant to arouse male desire while men rarely face similar scrutiny or objectification. This reinforces the idea that female bodies exist solely for male pleasure and leads to harmful practices like catcalling or stalking. Men who perpetrate these actions often believe they have the right to control women's bodies because they view them as inferior beings. On the other hand, women may feel disempowered if they believe their value lies primarily in their physical attractiveness, leading to lower self-esteem and depression.
Cultural double standards around sexuality can also impact relationships.
When males pressure females into having sex, it may damage both individuals involved, especially if one partner feels pressured while the other does not want the relationship to progress further. It can also create tension between couples when gender roles prevent open communication about desires and boundaries. In some cases, men may pressure women into performing certain acts they don't want, leading to feelings of guilt or shame. Similarly, societal expectations that women remain chaste until marriage may lead to resentment toward partners who were sexually active beforehand.
Cultural double standards around sexuality influence how people think, behave, and feel about themselves and others. By recognizing and challenging these norms, we can promote healthier attitudes toward intimacy, relationships, and body image.
How do cultural double standards around male and female sexuality influence not only behavior but also internalized self-concepts of worth and desirability?
While it is generally accepted that there are gender-specific double standards surrounding sexuality, recent research suggests that these expectations can have significant effects on both behavior and personal identity (Kimmel & Messner, 2017; Hines et al. , 2016). In Western culture, for example, women are expected to be chaste and virtuous until marriage while men are encouraged to be sexually active before settling down.