double standard
Quick Summary
A double standard refers to a set of principles that are applied differently to different groups, particularly in sexual morality where women are often held to more rigorous standards than men. Historically, Western civilizations, influenced by Greco-Roman culture and Christianity, developed a complex view of sexuality. Early Christianity, with its emphasis on the spiritual over the carnal, assigned much of the sexual guilt to women, viewing them as spiritually weaker.123
While legal control over sexual activity shifted from the church to the state, these attitudes often persisted. In contrast, a single standard applies the same principles equally to all members of a group, including a code of sexual behavior that is the same for both men and women.4
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- human sexual activitySociosexual activity
This double standard of morality is also seen in premarital life. Postmarital coitus (i.e., coitus by separated, divorced, or widowed persons) is almost always ignored. Even societies that try to confine coitus to marriage recognize the difficulty of trying to force abstinence upon sexually experienced and…
Read MoreThis double standard of morality is also seen in premarital life. Postmarital coitus (i.e., coitus by separated, divorced, or widowed persons) is almost always ignored. Even societies that try to confine coitus to marriage recognize the difficulty of trying to force abstinence upon sexually experienced and…
Read More - human sexual activityEffects of early conditioning
As a result of this double standard of sexual morality, the relationship between young males and females often becomes a ritualized contest, the male attempting to escalate the sexual activity and the female resisting his efforts. Instead of mutuality and respect, one often has a struggle in which the female…
Read MoreAs a result of this double standard of sexual morality, the relationship between young males and females often becomes a ritualized contest, the male attempting to escalate the sexual activity and the female resisting his efforts. Instead of mutuality and respect, one often has a struggle in which the female…
Read More - human sexual activitySocial control of sexual activity
…complicated not only by the double standard but also by the fact that such prohibition or permission is often qualified. As a rough estimate, however, 40 to 50 percent of preliterate or ancient societies allowed premarital coitus under certain conditions to both males and females. If one were to count…
Read More…complicated not only by the double standard but also by the fact that such prohibition or permission is often qualified. As a rough estimate, however, 40 to 50 percent of preliterate or ancient societies allowed premarital coitus under certain conditions to both males and females. If one were to count…
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