Women’s role in sexual relationships: Have they changed?
Gender roles and their associated behaviours lay within traditional boarders. However, as various factors change, those boarders are becoming more flexible. The views on women’s sexuality in particular are changing.
As with many issues bound by traditional attitudes, women’s role on the sexual platform is perceived through the constraints of stereotypes. Gender roles have had a profound influence on dating practices and sexual behaviour (p. 150). Women and men have had two very distinct roles, characterized by distinct behaviours. Women being seen as the “gatekeepers (p. 150)” whereas men were seen as the decision makers and initiators with all aspects of romantic relationships. Women were viewed as much more passive participants in all aspects of these relationships, including the sexual arena. In North America, children learn that men ask women out on a date and that women wait by the phone to hear from men. Although traditional roles vary within societies, depending on socioeconomic status and familial ethnicity, in general men are given the initiation power and women “determine how far advances will proceed (p.150)”. Some traditional perceptions see women as having more sexual power because they are seen as being able to say no to any behaviour, including sexual advances, which they do not wish to proceed. However, as women’s roles in sexual relationships are changing, the power they have is being implemented in earlier stages of relationships.
More and more women are letting go of sexual inhibition, opening their awareness to their sexual desires, and becoming more open to fantasies.
References
Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J .S., Ficher-Rathus, L., Herolf, E. S. (2010) Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity (3rd Edition). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education Canada.