The Single Standard of Sexual Behavior
In
history, women and men have always received different treatment regarding
sexual matters. In many cases, women and not men get pressured to maintain
their virginity up to the time of marriage.
This also extends to avoiding sexual activities after divorce or death
of their husbands. This type of
inequality between women and men is referred to as sexual double standard. This
is a dual set of moral definitions for men and women, particularly with mote
strict standards applicable to females.
This is usually for premarital virginity purposes and for what is
referred to as good sexual behavior (Holmes, 2011). Originally, this divergent
sexual treatment came from women’s value to men as objects as well as the
property for exchange purpose. As a way of preserving their value, it appeared
vital that females preserve their prior virginity marriage. In this respect
virginity monitoring served as a measure to prevent unwanted pregnancies,
ensure marrying in particular social class and preserve honor. As time went by,
sexual differences became a legitimate scientific inquiry subject where female
sexuality was perceived to be weaker and more passive as compared to men
sexuality. Contrary, current sexology
has continued to stress on the ideology of gender similarity (Coon, Mitterer,
Talbot & Vanchella, 2010). This is with an emphasis on similarities between
man and women in sexual response as well as functioning. The start of more
individualistic values, as well as equality regarding standards, from males and
females, relate to social-economic advances.
The ever increasing affluence among women provides them with more and
more opportunities regarding education. Young females start circulating freely
with increased opportunities to interact with males. Increased affluence also provides people with
increased living space as well as privacy (Holmes, 2011). Therefore, as both
male and females continue to get more opportunities for sexual exploration, the
shift continue to turn from double standard to single standard. In many cases,
feminists always appear to be inclined to the elimination of sexual double
standard as a way of creating a culture where no standard, judgment, shame
exist for either men or women in their pursuit of sex. As a matter of fact,
there is an increasing move to a single standard of judgment for male and
females. Youths are also becoming less tolerant of sex. This is whereby men and women are continuing
to judge each other on level playing field, though; gender equality and sexual
liberation are not same. Despite the
fact that a long way regarding gender equality has been pursued, it appears
that a big portion of men and women lose respect for people who they perceive
as participating in too frequent sexual activities, particularly with different
people. Single standard stress on the idea that what is acceptable for men is
also acceptable for females with the opposite also being true (Holmes, 2011).
Through observing sexual, behavior through role theory, causes and types of
conflicts will surface. In a sexual situation, where two actors agree on what
is seen as appropriate for a man and a woman,
there are limited chances of conflict eruption so long as the
interaction is in line with the role that is expected. Whenever there is a
disagreement, for instance, when the male perceives that it is appropriate to
engage in some level of intimacy and the female perceives the behavior as
inappropriate, the conflict will surface. Therefore, knowledge of sex standards
held is important if the responses to the intimate behavior are to be
understood.
The major benefits or liabilities of a
single standard of sexual behavior
Double
standard on sexual behavior has been one of the major causes of demonization of
females in the society. One of the major benefits of a single standard of
sexual behavior is that it removes barriers to sexual satisfaction. Usually, where there is a double standard on
sexual behavior, men are applauded with a higher number of sexual activities
they have with different females. At the same time, females are rebuked when
they engage in same activities as boys. This
has always been a stabling block for women who want to pursue legitimate sexual
activities. Hence, the single standard can be the best move that can help women
to pursue sexual satisfaction. The second benefit is that single standard will
force both men and women to be accountable for their sexual behavior (Coon,
Mitterer, Talbot & Vanchella, 2010).
This means that they will be obliged to engage in sexual activities that
have pose threat to one another. Both persons will be held accountable, and in
the case of any problem, the blame will not entirely be focused on a man. A
single standard of sexual behavior will also help women to escape social
intimidation when pursuing their sexual satisfaction. Usually, the society is
fond of demonizing women who try to seek sexual satisfaction. If the single
standard is used in sexual behavior, such women will be prevented. The other
benefit of a single standard of sexual behaviors is that it will empower women
to decide either to engage in sex or not strongly. As a result, this may limit
case of forced sexual harassment from their men. Since issues of sexuality are
also related to gender inequalities, use of a single standard of sexual
behavior in the society can be one of the ways that can reduce gender
discrimination and inequality.
On
the other hand, there are many liabilities in the use of the single standard of
sexual behavior. Their reason is that the double standard in sexual behavior
always helps to regulate sexually; behavior among females in the society. If
the second standard has put aside, chances of uncontrolled sexual behavior in
the society can be high. Some men can also use the chance to intimidate women
sexually from the fact that they can argue out in case they are to face any
law. For instance, using a single standard can be a destructor top many females
from the fact that they can be victims of sexual predators (Bruess &
Greenberg, 2004). The other liability that comes with a single standard of
sexual behavior is that it can increase sexual immorality in the society. The
nature of female life is always supposed to be respected. Hence, the single
standard can give out the opportunity for sexual immorality in the society as
people may end up engaging in uncontrollable and shameful sexual activities.
The other liability is that single standard of sexual behavior can lead to
increased unwanted pregnancies. The
reason is that people will have the freedom to engage in immoral sex and end up
having children whom they are unable to bring up. In the end, such children
become a social problem. Sexual crimes can also increase in the society when
the single standard of sexual behavior becomes rooted in the sociality. A
single standard of sexual behavior can increase infidelity in marriages from
the fact that both men and women will have the rights to make sexual decisions.
This can end up breaking many marriages in the society. This, in the end, can lead to children who
are not raised well because parents divorced.
Conclusion
To
conclude, it cannot be disputed that double standard on sexual behavior limits
sexual pursuits of the female gender. At the same time, pursuing a single
standard can lead to many adverse effects on sexuality in the society.
References
Bruess, C. E., & Greenberg, J.
S. (2004): Sexuality education: Theory and practice. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Coon, D., Mitterer, J. O., Talbot,
S., & Vanchella, C. M. (2010): Introduction to psychology: Gateways to mind and behavior. Belmont,
Calif: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Holmes, S.T. (2011). Sex crimes:
patterns & behaviors (3rd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. ISBN-13: 978-1412952989
Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in best nursing writing services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for custom nursing papers.
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