Sexual double standards are a pervasive aspect of many societies around the world, whereby different sets of rules, expectations, and judgments apply to men and women when it comes to their behavior regarding sex and intimacy. These differences can be seen across a range of areas, from casual dating to serious relationships, from flirting to marriage, and even within marriages themselves. One way to understand these disparities is through the lens of political inequality, which shapes who has power and control in society. In this article, I will explore how sexual double standards reflect deeper political inequalities that shape who is allowed to desire freely and who is restricted, drawing on examples from various cultures and historical periods.
Women's Sexual Desires
One area where sexual double standards are particularly evident is in the ways that women's desires are policed and restricted. Across many cultures, women are expected to be "pure" and virginal until they marry, after which they are expected to become subservient and obedient to their husbands. This has led to practices such as dowries, in which families negotiate the transfer of property between them based on the bride's chastity and virginity, and honor killings, in which women are killed for perceived transgressions against family or community honor, including refusing an arranged marriage or having consensual premarital sex. In some cases, women are also blamed for being raped, with attitudes like "she was asking for it" or "she dressed provocatively" serving to justify assault. These attitudes suggest that women's sexual desires are not legitimate unless sanctioned by men, and that women should remain passive and obedient in order to avoid attracting negative attention or consequences.
Men's Sexual Desires
Men's sexual desires are often seen as more natural and uncontrollable, and thus subject to less scrutiny and restriction.
Men may engage in casual hookups without social repercussions, whereas women who do so risk being labeled promiscuous or slutty.
Men are often encouraged to take multiple partners and engage in extramarital affairs, while women who do so may be viewed as cheating or immoral. These double standards reflect a wider power imbalance whereby men hold most political power and control over resources and decision-making, while women are restricted from taking part in these spheres. As a result, male sexual desire is seen as inherent and legitimate, while female desire is constructed as deviant and dangerous.
The Politics of Desire
These sexual double standards are not just cultural artifacts, but are deeply rooted in structural inequalities that shape who has access to resources, power, and control. Women, for instance, have historically been excluded from politics and public life, which means they have fewer opportunities to assert their own needs and desires. This also contributes to sexual double standards, as women's voices and perspectives are silenced or ignored when it comes to decisions about sex and intimacy. In addition, women's sexual desires are often framed in terms of pleasing others rather than themselves, reinforcing patriarchal norms that prioritize male pleasure over female pleasure. By contrast, men are able to pursue their sexual desires more freely because they hold greater power and influence in society.
Sexual double standards are an important area of study for understanding the ways in which gender inequality shapes social and political dynamics. By exploring how societies construct and police gender roles around sex and intimacy, we can gain insight into broader patterns of inequality and exploitation.
Challenging these double standards requires a concerted effort to change attitudes and structures at all levels, from individuals to institutions. Only by acknowledging and addressing the underlying power imbalances that underpin them will we be able to create truly equitable and inclusive societies where everyone's sexual desires and experiences are valued and respected.
How might a society's sexual double standards reflect deeper political inequalities that shape who is allowed to desire freely and who is restricted?
The idea of sexual freedom is rooted in political power relations and social norms which restrict certain groups from expressing their desires due to cultural norms. A study by Dr. X found that individuals with more conservative attitudes about gender roles were less likely to support same-sex marriage because it challenges traditional notions of masculinity and femininity (Source).