The Sexual Double Standard in American Society: Analyzing The Factors That Influence Gender-Based Discrimination

Gender roles are pervasive in our society. Femininity is often reduced to rigid dichotomies: women in the media are either represented as hypersexualized or as fulfilling motherly instincts. As our society evolves, becoming more accepting and tolerant, these stereotypes diminish. However, gender discrimination still persists. Specifically, the sexual double standard praises men who are sexually prosperous and condemns women for the same behavior. At a young age, children are taught these ideals which are then reinforced by society, perpetuating the cycle of gender discrimination and sex negativity. Yet, there is still much we do not understand about how such standards permeate everyday thinking and attitudes about others based on gender, and the factors which influence these perceptions. In this study, I examine results from a survey of sexual double standards administered to a sample of American college students. I explore the roots of gender role stereotypes and sexual double standards by examining the varying degrees to which gender affects perceptions of others. Variation in opinions regarding sexual double standards amongst male and female college students are explored in order to get a better understanding of how young adults, in particular, think about sexual double standards in contemporary society.