A Mixed-methods Exploration of Young Adults’ Views of the Sexual Double Standard

Abstract

The traditional sexual double standard occurs when men and women are evaluated differently for the same sexual behaviours. Typically, women are judged more punitively than their male counterparts regarding promiscuous behaviour. There is much research surrounding this double standard. However, there has been less investigation into what factors individuals consider responsible for this phenomenon. The present study aimed to use qualitative and quantitative methods to examine young adults’ attitudes to this double standard. Three main themes were observed and are discussed across this article. These themes include, Theme (1) Attitudes from the past, Theme (2) (Un)acceptability of behaviour and Theme (3) Media portrayal.