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 Sexual Double    Standards

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 What do people think?

1. a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.

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2. a beautiful or pleasing thing or person, in particular.

Double Standards are in our genes because the majority of our society favors certain characteristics and traits and agrees with the present sexual double standards we have. Both men and women say that certain sexual double standards have been learned and accepted thorughout history and our ancestors. For centuries, women and men were both criticized by each other for reasons being, that they wanted to be better than the other sex. During prehistoric times, women desired having higher authority over men, since men were always the one with the power and control. But in reality has it transpired to modern perspective in relation to stereotypes? It has become inevitable for people in modern day society to simply take a walk without being looked at, made fun of, spoken to, and/or in some cases, offended by others in society. But stereo types in gender roles and double standards go beyond that and tie into our history. Why is it that a man would be congradulated, if not applauded for whom he has been with, as opposed to a female of the same ratio, who would recieve criticism, and be frowned upon in society. Is there a double standard after all?

Beauty, Appearences, and Cosmetics

 

Why do you think women are propelled to get botox, cosmetic surgery, etc. to look or feel beautiful? 

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Men seek to find a woman with traits that are linked to their peak reproductive potential, in order for them to reproduce and pass on their genes. Subconcsciously, women who groom themselves or change their appearence not only do it for their self-confidence, but also to get the attenion of the opposite sex. Without realization, women tend to set themeselves up for a man because they must to mate, in order to fertilize and carry offspring and to pass on their traits. Men look for bold, confidence; therefore women use cosmetics to enhance their beauty and get a higher sence of self-esteem. In the current day, there are many resources that are offered to both men and women, in reference to beauty products. But the fact that there are more products in the market, for women rather than men, says a lot about our modern society and the social standards, in relation to double standards. Why would it be normal for women to wear makeup, yet "unmanly" for a man? Or for men get plastic surgery, with the same reactions that a woman would? The double standards we have set ourselves, over the past decades and even centuries, plays a role in our mentality now of what is to be considered "right" and "wrong." 

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Mens Appearance and Social Status

 

Men use their expensive belongings to display them to women, showing that they have a high reputation and the financial abilities to support a child. This is because our ancestors hunted, gathered, and forged food and resources for their family, so it would only be logicial if we did the same today. Men who look strong, fit, and healthy are favored by women becuse they make the woman feel "protected" and safe, which relates to our ancestorial aspects of gender roles; males protect females and their family, while females do the housework and take care of the infants. Contrary to women, men prefer to look older because this means they are essentially wiser, more experienced, and more adept at decision making for their families welfare. Attraction is based on our genes; women are programmed to respond to certain qualities within a man, including height, smell, confidence, dominance, and much more. Historically, men possessing these qualities produced more offspring, than those who didn't, proving that sexual selection takes place within our species. Although our genetic programming is also based on our environment - our surroundings have drastically changed over centuries, causing our mind set to evolve along with our bodies. 

Does age make a difference?

What do people say about double standards?

After interviewing four women, we gathered our data to find that the majority of our answers were the same, although there were a few inconsistencies.One of the questions - asking if they prefer a man/woman with dating experience - was answered half with a "yes" and half with a "no." The interviewees who said no, argued that the more partners one has had, the less likely it is for them to be commited. The others stated that if their mate has not had enough experience, than it will be "awkward because they will not know what to do in a relationship or how to treat a each other." Believing that this is true, another intervieweee said that "now that they have had they're fun out the way from past relationships, they can now focus on having a real, serious relationship" in which they can commit to. To conclude, women of this generation, are questioning gender roles and it is progressing to becoing more of a controversial topic, since they're historically looked down upon and treated unfairly. 

Evolution Influences Mate Preferences 

 

Evolutionary research concluds that men do not desire youth itself in a women, rather the qualities that are associated with youth; such as good muscle tone, clear eyes, luscious hair, and curves. When a woman dates a man that is the same age as her or even a few years younger, the women believes that the man is too immuture for her mind set, becuase women tend to mature/develop faster than men. A sign of maturity for women is her body shape and the signs of health. Men are able to detect if she is able to reproduce, by the size of her hips. A waist-to-hip ratio of 0.70 shows that the female is capable of fertilization. Evolution has shown that men prefer women who are healthy and show peak reproductive potential, while women prefer men who have a high social status, and overall ability to support a their family. 

Interview Responces:

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Q: "Are all women expected to be clean and organized?"

A: "No, because you should not really change who you are for a man, simply because they expect it out of a women."

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Q: "Do men have the pressure of making the first move? "

A: "Yes when the man makes the first move it shows that he is confident." 

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Q: "Do you belive that it's worse when a man cheats or when a women cheats?Why does that gender have an advantage?"

A: "

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Q: "Why do you think women are expected to marry before a certain age, such as their early 30's and men are free to marry at any age?" 

A: "Both genders are expected to marry early because when someone marries too late in life they have disadvantages, like not being able to have children."
 

Our Findings
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In conclusion, we found that evolutionary research has shown that double standards have originated from early on, due to our ancestors. We have become accustomed to a mind set which differentiates men and women to a particular group of prejudices. Our environment and culture also play a major role in what we come to believe. Although, this mentality or form of thinking is predetermined in our heredity, culture, and genes, modern day conformists, such as feminists try to prevent this from continuing, for the sake of equality. But the question is can we stop something that is in our genes and essentially wired into our brains? 

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