Sexism Works in Men’s Favor

10.07.2012 | By: Alex F.

Nowadays women would still quickly get a bad reputation if they behaved as men traditionally behave.

Sexism “doesn’t allow” women to behave in a certain way. (PhotoXpress)

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What exactly is sexism?

Sexism means that there are sexual double standards in a society, that is, an unequal relation between the sexual activity of men and women. Sexism supports an unpleasant biological fact that there are the stronger or male gender and the weaker or female gender, which is also reflected in the area of sexuality, more in the past periods of history than in the present time, or as the saying goes “It’s second nature to us.” In practice, sexual inequality means that men are more sexual than women and that women, compared to men, don’t have a clear need for sex, and if they have such a need, they are expected to have constant control over themselves and to “keep a tight rein on themselves.” This is because of a bad reputation they would gain if they behaved as men traditionally behave. In spite of the belief of sexual freedom, there exists a group, more precisely called sociobiologists, who are convinced that double standards are the rules of nature.

Sexism works in favor of the male gender

I believe that most readers are well familiar with the saying that men add some value to their status with a sexual experience, whereas the same action tarnishes women’s reputation. If you take a look back into your past, you will surely realize that you used to think like that as well. The likelihood that you still think like that doesn’t have a negligible value. This is particularly reflected in your youth and even later in life. Why was a versatile gigolo from your secondary school almost crowned in collecting “female trophies”, and, at the same time, an experienced nymphomaniac was frowned upon?

Sexual double standard is an answer to all the disputes about why a man is a sexual king and a woman is a whore for everybody. I know you agree with me – it isn’t fair! However, it largely depends on us all who still unconsciously adhere to these standards and treat them as a natural thing. The area of sexuality isn’t by far something natural, at least I think so. Where there’s a place for reflection, such reflection should also be there.

What are the traditional norms of a double standard?

- Men are allowed to have intercourse before marriage, whereas women aren’t allowed.

- Men are allowed to have intercourse even if they harbor no feeling towards a woman, whereas women are allowed to have intercourse only if they’re in love or married.

- Men are allowed to have several sexual partners, whereas women are allowed to have only one partner.

- Men are allowed to have intercourse with women of a lower social status, whereas women are treated in a negative way if they have intercourse with a man of a lower status.

- Men are allowed to have intercourse for recreation or acquiring sexual skills, whereas women aren’t allowed to have intercourse just for fun.

Sexism through history

Darling studied the sexual habits of adolescents between 1900 and 1980. In that time, there were three periods of different sexual standards. The leaden years for women were the years between 1940 and 1950, and in the next 20 years, sex before marriage was allowed to young couples in a love relationship that lead to marriage. In the late 1960s, the results of sexual revolution began to show and marriage was no longer a guideline in this area. In the 1980s, the situation was stabilized again – on the one hand, because of the revival of various religious beliefs, and on the other hand, because of an awareness of sexually transmitted diseases. The feelings of guilt appeared again, particularly in women of younger generations, as says Gerrard.

Sexist spirit of the present time

Sexuality is present everywhere, particularly in the advertising world, and as it seems, it isn’t a nuisance in this form. As soon as women cross the so-called male threshold of sexual activities, the already known story is repeated – a woman is criticized in terms of morality and a man is just growing up.