Female Sexuality is Becoming a Larger Focus for Gender Empowerment Groups: Final Project

                Within the last ten years, we have seen a surge of gender empowerment focused groups who fight for equality of both genders in many aspects of our daily lives. Female sexuality still remains a taboo topic which we often dismiss or regard as less important in terms of equality. The double standards women and men face come from the expectation of heterosexual behavior of both men and women. The terms we use to refer to sexual exploits between men and women vary due to these expectations. In the way men and women act, we expect certain responses known as heterosexual scripts. Many men and women still believe it is an expectation for men to pay for dinner and for women to ‘repay’ men with sex. Other expectations include that women who express their sexuality openly are considered ‘sluts’ while men who do the same are considered ‘studs’. These attitudes contribute to women not only adhering to these heterosexual scripts but also in their personal sexual habits. A lot of women will not participate in solo sexual behavior due to these stereotypes regarding women and do not seek out information regarding their sexual abilities as well as their sexual health. For these reasons, many groups now exist which attempt to not only combat the stereotypes presented in heterosexual situations, but also to educate women on their personal sexuality and attitudes. By making this information available to broad group of women as well as men, these stereotypes can be broken and everyone can participate in healthier, safer sex which everyone can enjoy.

1.       What are some focuses of gender empowerment groups? How do they assist in promoting female sexuality and how is this information targeted towards both genders?

2.       (As according the Good & Rudman 2010 study) Why are women much more accepting of benevolent sexism and why is it expected within the heterosexual dating scene?