Sexual Double Standards and Sexually Transmitted Illnesses: Social Rejection and Stigmatization of Women

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of sexual double standards on perceptions of targets experiencing illness. Sexual transmission was predicted to result in greater stigmatization. A Target Gender X Illness Transmission interaction was hypothesized, such that female targets with sexually transmitted illness (e.g., STI) would be stigmatized and social rejected more than male STI targets or targets with nonsexual illness (e.g., NSI). Undergraduate students from the southeastern United States (n=151) read descriptions of targets diagnosed with an illness transmitted nonsexually or sexually. Results confirmed sexual transmission led to more negative perceptions of the illness and target; a Target Gender X Illness Transmission interaction influenced social rejection. Qualitative data demonstrated participant gender and illness transmission mode affected anticipated emotional and social reactions.

To Hook Up or Date: Which Gender Benefits?

“…Women more than men seem to want a relationship and fear, both in dating and in hooking up, that they will become emotionally attached to a partner who is not interested in them. The possibility of forming a long-term relationship can be more easily obtained through traditional dating, and dating does not lead women to be labeled a "slut" or to feel ashamed and depressed, feelings women sometimes have after hooking up Grello et al 2006;Paul and Hayes 2002;Smith et al 2008).…”

“…Although there is some evidence this double standard has disappeared (Marks and Fraley 2005), most research suggests this double standard continues to affect the perceptions of women and men, such that women are derogated and men rewarded for frequent sexual activities (e.g., Crawford and Popp 2003;Smith et al 2008), and the double standard continues to be endorsed by the media (Medley-Rath 2007). Paul and Hayes (2002) reported that following a hook up, college women often felt regret and shame for uncommitted sexual behaviors with a stranger they might never see again; men, on the other hand, rarely expressed regret and shame following a hook up.…”

Sex education during the school‐aged years influences sexual attitudes and sexual health in college: A comparative study from Korea

“…This indicates that, through continuous sex education during the school-aged years, it might be possible to influence school-aged children to have a more equal evaluation of sexual behaviors in relation to sex when they become young adults. A sexual double standard is detrimental to women's health, not only because it is associated with the justification of sexual violence towards women (Lee et al, 2010) but also because it is associated with the stigmatization of female victims (Smith et al, 2008) of sexual violence, which further prevents them from seeking proper care.…”

Rape Myths and Beyond: A Commentary on Edwards and Colleagues (2011)

“…In contrast, engaging in these behaviors has strong potential negative implications for women's reputation and social status, and could result in them receiving a negative social label such as a "slut" or as "easy" (e.g., Hamilton and Armstrong 2009;Metts and Spitzberg 1996;Paul 2006;Paul et al 2000). Indeed, despite the supposed greater freedom women have in Western society in expressing their sexuality and engaging in casual sex, there still appears to be a sexual double standard where the social implications for engaging in sexual behaviors (e.g., having sex with multiple or casual partners, engaging in particular sexual acts) differ for men and women (Smith et al 2008). For example, in a recent qualitative study conducted by myself and my colleagues (Littleton et al 2009c), we asked U.S. college women to describe a typical bad "hook-up" (generally regarded as a one-time sexual encounter with someone with whom you have no prior romantic relationship; Paul and Hayes 2002).…”

“…First, these labels appear to represent a permanent stigmatized status (e.g., Crawford and Popp 2003;Hamilton and Armstrong 2009;Paul 2006;Smith et al 2008). In addition, women who are labeled in this manner are often regarded as appropriate targets for aggressive sexual advances by men and as having fewer rights to refuse these advances (e.g., Crawford and Popp 2003;Hamilton and Armstrong 2009).…”