Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Traditional stereotypes about sex and gender present men as assertive, aggressive, sexually adventurous, and emotionally restrained, and women as docile, passive, sexually modest, and emotionally sensitive. Past research has shown that such stereotypes impose constraints on heterosexual relationships that decrease sexual satisfaction for men and women.
This study looked at the impact of traditional sex and gender stereotypes on a sample of behaviorally bisexual men who were in a heterosexual relationship with a woman to whom they did not disclose their same-sex behaviors. Perceiving women as more skilled for emotional intimacy and affection, most participants would only develop intimate relationships with them; however, some participants also perceived women as too emotionally sensitive and described men as better companions.
Many participants were dissatisfied with these gender norms although they conformed to them, further supporting that traditional sex and gender stereotypes impose constraints on relationships that can limit authentic sexual expression and intimate satisfaction. Keywords: Men who have sex with men and women MSMW , sexual stereotypes, gender norms, sex partners, intimate relationships. Sexual and intimate relationships are shaped by traditional stereotypes about sex and gender that associate maleness and masculinity with assertiveness, aggressiveness, sexual adventurism, and emotional restraint, and femaleness and femininity with docility, passivity, sexual modesty, and emotional intimacy.
Sex and gender stereotypes can have negative impacts on the sexual, relational, and psychological well-being of men and women. These scripts also pose challenges to the practice of safer sex when, for instance, men blame their engagement in condomless sex on an uncontrollable and powerful male sex drive Fleming et al. Sex and gender stereotypes are based on traditional gender roles in heterosexual relationships Eagly, , but also affect the sexual and intimate relationships of sexual minorities.
Further, there are harmful consequences from not conforming to sex and gender stereotypes. Even among gay or bisexual men who conform to masculine ideals, the perceived pressure to do so often leads to psychological distress or relationship issues Fields et al.
