in brief: both sexes judge women for number of sexual partners

SATC character Samantha, friend and promiscuous lady.

A recent study from Cornell University, in which 751 college students answered questions on their sexual experience and their views on casual sex, has found that the double standard of women being abhorred for sexual promiscuity and men adored for it still exists.

Participants in the research were given narratives of male and female students, the only difference in characters being their number of lifetime sexual partners – either 2 or 20, and asked to rate the person as a potential friend. These judgements were based on factors such as perceived morality, emotional stability and overall likability. Overall, findings showed that young women are socially isolated when viewed as sexually promiscuous.

Most surprising to researchers was that judgements made by women were unaffected by that persons own sexual history, or rather, women who were sexually permissive themselves still judged other promiscuous women unfavourably. It is suggested that the female participants are making these judgements based on a premise of self-preservation – distancing themselves from the stigma attached to society’s perception of women engaging in casual sex.

Men’s perceptions however, tended to be more varied – potential friends were assessed with an attitude influenced by their own promiscuity, although ‘mate guarding’ was identified as a measure by which sexually permissive men were rejected by their peers. That is to say, if a promiscuous man is seen as a threat to a relationship they will be judged negatively by other men.

The researchers hope that this information can be utilised by those working with young people who are judged for their sexual behaviour.

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