Recent research by Norwegian psychologists suggests that the widely held belief in sexual double standards—where men are praised for numerous sexual partners while women are shamed—may be a myth. The study found that for long-term relationships, there are no observable double standards, and men are actually judged more harshly than women in short-term encounters. This challenges the misconception that women face greater social scrutiny regarding their sexual behavior.
Participants were asked to evaluate potential partners based on sexual history and behaviors such as jealousy and infidelity. The survey, involving over 900 respondents, revealed that harsh judgments are applied equally across sexes for long-term commitments but more critically against men in short-term situations. Additionally, behaviors like infidelity and controlling tendencies were universally deemed undesirable for both genders in long-term scenarios. Interestingly, attitudes toward masturbation were more favorable among men when regarding women.
These findings suggest a shift in societal norms where previous assumptions about sexual behavior may not accurately reflect reality. The study highlights a need for further exploration into the cultural and individual factors influencing these perceptions, especially outside Western contexts.
