Sexual Double Standards Uphold Political Hierarchies
A sexual double standard is when society holds one gender to different expectations than another regarding their behavior or appearance related to sex or romance. This can include things like expecting men to be promiscuous but judging women who have multiple partners harshly, requiring women to dress or behave conservatively while giving men more leeway to express themselves, and assuming that men are more interested in sex while expecting women to be monogamous. These standards create hierarchies where some people are seen as superior while others are inferior because of their sex.
If a man has many sexual partners, he might be considered 'cool' or 'a player', while a woman doing the same would likely face shaming and criticism.
Political hierarchies refer to systems of power that determine which individuals or groups hold positions of authority or control within a society. In patriarchy, for instance, men tend to hold most of the power and dominate decision-making processes. Sexual double standards uphold this hierarchy by reinforcing traditional gender roles, such as the idea that men should be in charge and women should submit. By encouraging conformity to these norms through social pressure, cultural institutions, and legal codes, sexual double standards perpetuate male dominance. This can lead to discrimination against women in areas like education, employment, pay, and politics, further entrenching political hierarchies.
Sexual double standards can also be challenged or subverted in various ways.
Movements like feminism and LGBTQ+ rights have advocated for greater equality between genders and sexualities, leading to progressive changes in attitudes and policies. Individuals can push back against sexual double standards by breaking taboos or speaking out about their experiences, and activists can raise awareness about the issue and work towards systemic change.
New technologies and social media platforms have created spaces where marginalized voices can be heard and amplified, allowing for more diverse perspectives on sexuality and relationships.
Sexual double standards are intertwined with political hierarchies, maintaining and even exacerbating existing power dynamics.
They can also be contested through collective action, individual resistance, and the dissemination of alternative narratives. The struggle continues today as we strive for a world where all people are treated equally regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
How do sexual double standards uphold political hierarchies, and how are they contested or subverted?
Sexual double standards have been a persistent issue in many societies where women's rights have not yet been fully recognized. As a result, men tend to hold more power than women because of their masculine privilege, and this has been reinforced by cultural norms that view women as inferior. The notion that men should dominate over women is an established social norm across various cultures, which means that women must be submissive and acquiesce to male demands.