Communal Norms
People live in communities, whether it is a neighborhood, city, town, village, country, or planet. Each community has its own set of rules that determine acceptable behavior. These rules are known as communal norms. Communities often consider themselves traditional, but they have changed throughout history, even if slowly.
Many communities used to practice arranged marriages for centuries until the early modern era. Communities also have gender roles, which influence romantic relationships. Men were supposed to be providers and protectors, while women were supposed to stay home and take care of children. This led to certain expectations about dating and marriage. Romance was expected to lead to marriage, so people did not date just anyone. They dated someone who met their family's approval, had a steady job, and fit into society. Today, more couples meet online, and some do not marry at all. The idea of "dating" didn't exist before the 1950s, but now dating and relationships are very common.
Hierarchical Structures
Most societies have hierarchies, where power flows from top down. People know what is expected of them according to their social status.
Kings and queens were supposed to rule, priests to pray, warriors to fight, and peasants to work. A king may choose his queen, but her parents might object based on class differences. In ancient Rome, elite families would arrange marriages between members of different noble families. There were also laws against intermarriage with lower classes. Hierarchies can create pressure for people to conform or rebel. Some people may feel free to break tradition in private, but conform publicly to avoid criticism. In the past, people could get punished for having sex outside of marriage, even if it was consensual.
Peer Pressure
Peers are those in the same age group as you. Peers influence one another by imitating each other. Teenagers often experiment with sex when they reach puberty, but peer pressure may prevent them from sharing this information. Many teens worry about being judged by friends or family if they don't have sex yet. In college, young adults sometimes experiment with drugs and alcohol because they think everyone else does. This leads to risky behavior like unprotected sex. After graduation, some professionals marry someone who has a good job. If others see a colleague as successful, they may want that life for themselves. Single people may date more aggressively at bars or online because they are more likely to find someone who is available. Social media apps make it easy to talk to strangers without revealing personal details, so many people use them anonymously.
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In what ways do communal norms, hierarchical structures, and peer influence impact romantic behavior and sexual expression?
Communal norms are often shaped by religious beliefs, family traditions, cultural values, and social expectations. They tend to regulate various behaviors that are important for maintaining group cohesion and orderliness. Romantic relationships and sexual expressions can be affected by these rules through several mechanisms, such as influencing individuals' self-perceptions, attitudes, and decision-making processes.