How does gender affect openness to alternative sexual practices?
Gender is defined by the physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and social characteristics that distinguish males from females. These can include anatomy, hormones, genetics, personality traits, societal roles, and cultural norms. While biological differences between genders may influence their sexual preferences, such as penile-vaginal intercourse versus clitoral stimulation, most research has found that sexual attitudes are largely shaped by culture.
Many Western cultures have historically stigmatized same-sex attraction and non-procreative sex acts while promoting heterosexual monogamy.
This traditional framework is changing rapidly due to rising acceptance of diversity, growing sexual literacy, and greater access to contraception and pleasure-oriented erotica. In contrast, some cultures emphasize female submission or male dominance.
Some studies suggest that masculinity correlates with greater interest in casual partners, group sex, anal intercourse, fetishes, BDSM, and erotic photography.
Among American college students, men were more likely than women to report being interested in threesomes, watching pornography, engaging in exhibitionism, receiving oral sex, and having a partner watch them masturbate. Other research finds that lesbian and bisexual women are less willing to experiment sexually compared to hetero or gay men but not straight women. Yet a 2017 meta-analysis indicates that gender alone does not determine openness to novelty: personal beliefs, upbringing, socialization, relationship dynamics, and psychological wellbeing also play key roles.
The relationship between gender and sexual openness seems especially complex for transgender people who defy binary norms. Their identities may include multiple genders and intersect with other marginalized statuses, such as race, class, religion, and disability. Many trans women are attracted to other women and seek intimacy through vaginal penetration, but their genitals may be surgically altered during transitioning. Trans men often prefer anal intercourse yet face challenges finding partners who can handle their prosthetic phalluses.
Trans people experience high levels of discrimination, stigma, and harassment which can impact their sexual health.
While biology affects some aspects of human behavior, culture and identity shape our desires and experiences. Gender is only one factor among many that influence how we express ourselves sexually and form relationships. Further research should examine how these elements interact to create unique sexual trajectories across different populations.
How does gender affect openness to alternative sexual practices?
People may experience different levels of openness to alternative sexual practices due to their gender identity. According to researchers, individuals who identify as heterosexual men tend to be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors compared to heterosexual women (Sarah et al. , 2019). This finding suggests that cultural norms regarding masculinity can influence one's willingness to explore non-traditional sexual activities.