Gendered Norms Influence Partners' Beliefs About Intimacy
In many societies around the world, there are different expectations for men and women regarding their roles in romantic relationships, particularly when it comes to initiating intimate acts. These gendered norms can influence both partners' perceptions of what is expected of them and how they feel about themselves within the relationship. This can lead to unequal power dynamics that can be harmful to the overall health of the relationship.
One common gendered norm is that it is up to the man to initiate physical intimacy. This expectation can create pressure on men to take the lead in bedroom activities, which may make them feel like they need to perform well every time. Women may also feel like they cannot express their own desires because they fear rejection if they do not fit into the accepted role. Both partners may feel like they have less agency or control over their sexuality, which can cause resentment and tension in the relationship.
Another gendered norm is that women should remain chaste before marriage while men are allowed to explore their sexuality freely. This can put an unfair burden on women to prove their worthiness as a potential partner by saving sex until after marriage. It can also create feelings of shame or guilt in women who deviate from this norm. Men may see women who have engaged in casual sex as "easy" or promiscuous, while women may internalize negative messages about their body image or value as a person.
Gendered norms can also impact how partners communicate with each other about their needs and desires.
Men may feel embarrassed to talk about emotional intimacy, leading to misunderstandings and frustration between partners. Women may be taught to prioritize the needs of others over their own pleasure, leading to unsatisfying sexual experiences. Partners may struggle to negotiate boundaries or navigate power dynamics within their relationship due to these cultural expectations.
Gendered norms can limit the ways in which partners express affection outside of the bedroom.
Touching and physical displays of love may be seen as more appropriate for women than for men, creating a double standard that can make it difficult for both parties to express their feelings. This can lead to a lack of connection and intimacy outside of the bedroom, further affecting the overall health of the relationship.
To counteract these harmful gendered norms, couples must engage in open communication and work together to challenge cultural expectations. They can discuss their individual wants and needs and find mutually satisfying solutions to problems arising from societal pressures.
They can seek out resources such as therapy or sex education to learn new ways to connect and express themselves physically and emotionally. By doing so, partners can create a healthier and more balanced power dynamic within their relationship.
How do gendered norms influence partners' beliefs about who should initiate intimacy and how this affects relational power?
According to researchers, gender roles have an impact on people's views regarding sexual initiation. The society expects men to be sexually assertive while women are expected to maintain chastity and wait for their partner's advances (Petersen & Hyde 2018). This means that if one person has initiated sexual contact with the other, they might feel entitled to them and see themselves as more powerful than their counterpart.