Does the sexual double standard still exist? Perceptions of university women

Abstract

Conflicting research findings regarding the sexual double standard have led to much debate over its existence in North American society. Using a diversity of measures, 165 women at a Canadian university were surveyed to determine their perceptions and behaviors regarding the sexual double standard. The normative belief that men are rewarded for having a high number of sexual partners, whereas women are penalized for similar behavior is one major component of the sexual double standard that was studied. The most striking finding was the discrepancy between the women's perception of the sexual double standard at the societal level and their own personal rejection of the double standard. Most respondents believed other women were more likely to enforce the double standard than were men. Women who had many previous sexual partners were more accepting of men who had many partners. The value of using a diversity of measures to study the complexities of the double standard is illustrated.