Does a strong and costly sexual double standard still exist among adolescents? I believe that a double standard when it comes to sex still exists among adolescents. Moreover, there are tons of different double standards that still exist today.
I come from a Christian back ground and I myself am a Christian. As most know, Christians have a specific code when it comes to anything involving a man and a woman. Thou shalt not look at another with lust, thou shalt not have sex before marriage, so on and so forth. However, we are extremely guilty of this double standard. One example is that women are expected to dress so that they don’t attract attention from men, however the other side of the coin - being that men should do the same – is constantly overlooked
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Girls, more than boys, seem to be the target of “sex talks”. What I mean by “sex talks” is the idea of talking about sins or struggles that are directly correlated to sex. Normally, when there is preaching happening about chastity or saving one’s self till marriage, the general message is directed towards girls. Whenever things about preserving purity or remaining a virgin is discussed, the message is sent to girls. It’s an interesting picture when you overlay this on the idea that its girls who get the raw end of the deal when it comes to the sexual double standard. On one hand, in the secular world girls are seen as sluts and whores for sleeping around, while in the Christine outlook everything is done to prevent girls from falling down that path and supporting them with Gods love if they have. On the other hand, in the secular guys are seen as studs for achieving sexual conquests, while in the Christine outlook it’s focused of abstaining from pornography or treating women with respect and not as
Numerous women in history, have negative stigmas attached to them simply for, well, being women and just like a phrase in the Bible says; “Sin began with a woman and thanks to her we all must die”. However, the Bible states that all men are created equal, that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”, however, as you read through the passages and see the roles each human plays in them, which greatly differs depending gender, one can easily come to the realization that this is not entirely true. Jacobs writes that “Married women are not allowed to sleep around… Married men on the other hand… well they have more leeway…” (page 135) noting that there is in fact inequality and he tries to show this as much as he can throughout the book. As one reads through the Bible, and tries to grasp and follow every rule given, one learns not to be and feel equal but to behave and act “correctly” and accordingly to gender roles, roles that gives too much liberty to men and very little to women when clearly the Bible says we are ...
In 1961, Evangelist and pastor Tim LaHaye worked on informing and ridding public schools of sex education programs. In a letter that he wrote to parents at a school he said; “ As a parent, taxpayer, and a Christian, you need to be informed on the devastating Radical Sex Education Program now being advocated by some educators across America”(72). In this letter, LaHaye uses the word “devastating” to show how truly upset he was about this program. He went on to quote the bible in saying that sex was accepted in Christian beliefs and that that was not the problem. The problem was that the context, in which the education was coming from, was not coming from the Bible. LaHaye believed that because God create...
In an allegedly postmodern world, when looking at tolerance for ideologies other than our own is said to be the only absolute and controlling ideology. Inasmuch, as its doctrine of “sin” suggests that all humans are inherently flawed; Christianity is often viewed as judgmental and intolerant of others. Granted the approach of a certain Baptist church in Topeka, Kansas pushes the extreme that makes all Christians cringe in this area. Christians should not be embarrassed of the doctrine of sin today. Moreover, Christianity should not try to soften what it says about the human condition to be more readily acceptable to a broader world. This world needs help, guidance, and rules if we are to succeed as a human race.
I have been taught that Christianity is a loving religion that cares for all, But this is not always the case. Upon reading, among other theological works, “Quest for the Living God” by Elizabeth A. Johnson, it becomes apparent that Christianity has been used to systematically marginalize women throughout history despite the teachings of the Bible. While it might not be intentional, the negative treatment of Women has been ingrained into Christian teachings over hundreds of years.
Kreager ,A. D. & Staff, J. (2009). The sexual double standard and adolescent peer acceptance.
Looking at our past, there have been dramatic changes in the way humans view sex. Long before the 1900s individuals framed their views based on the religious institution. Due to the fact that they strongly centered their idea of sexual thought on religion, they believed that the only purpose of having sex was to procreate. As the 1920’s approached, there were various factors that changed the way individuals viewed sex. The “new women” known, as flappers were women who were confident in who they were. They changed their attire as well as their social attitude. In the 1920s, the flappers redefined sex; customs and traditions were broken and new norms were created by society.
As one looks through society, one starts to see many cracks and loopholes where one set of standards does not apply the same way for men as it does to women, and vice versa.
The female pursuit of sexual liberation blossomed in the 1960’s and continues to grow today. Beginning with what has been dubbed, “The Sexual Revolution”, women have become more comfortable with defying the dominant ideologies in society that have previously bound them. Among these beliefs is the concept that women should be modest with their bodies and forgo sexual pleasure. Likewise, the persistent barrage of a sexual double standard which praises boys for their sexual interactions but denounces women for similar behaviour creates a stigma around women who are confident in their sexualities. Despite the persistence of these attitudes in society, college students have begun to challenge the ideology that sexual interactions must be confined
The controversy of sex has lead to it being thought of as dangerous. In society there is the controversy of people having sex or having any sexual activity they are considered perverted and lecherous. Then there is the other side of the spectrum where someone who does not have sex at all is considered a prude. Both being lecherous or a prude is unacceptable in society. People feel that they must lie whether they have sex or not because of the word of what opinions will formulate against them. The reason people lie about their sexual experiences is so that that are not harshly judged, criticized, or labelled by society. People can be labelled as a slut, whore, prostitute, or a prude, but it does not mean that it is entirely true because some people do not fully understand some of the meanings behind these words and just use it as hurtful slang. Therefore, sex is more secretive than it should be. Either lie or truth a person will say, other people will make a strong, rude
Sexual Education for teenagers in public schools crosses many moral and religious beliefs. The majority of the Christians, in the world, perceive sexuality in the context of human dignity, family and marriage (BBC Religious Studies 1). “Not a single Comprehensive Sexual Education course encourages teens to delay sex until at least out of High School, much less, waiting until marriage” (“Comprehensive Sex Education” 1). Sexual Education in schools, does not teach, “Genital sex is an expression of intimacy, not the means to intimacy. … True intimacy is not primarily a sexual encounter. Intimacy… has almost nothing to do with our sex organs. A prostitute may expose her body, but her relationships are hardly intimate (Focus on the Family”2-3) Some of the population is quick to argue that not all students are of the Christian persuasion; however, the majorities of religions hold the same values, thus, the current curriculum, does exclude large portions of the student population. Families have their own individual beliefs regarding morals and their childre...
Philadelphia, I witness this in many different ways. Whether it is a prostitute standing on the corner, or a good friend that sleeps around, the lack of respect these women have for themselves is very visible, and very sad. I am a social work major, and I would someday like to work with teenagers, which is why I am taking the time now to try to understand the reasoning for their foolish and dangerous choices. Why do teenage girls have such little respect for themselves? I am sure that each of these girls have her own theories and reasons for her actions. I believe the most obvious causes are; they were never taught that it was wrong, most guys treat girls with disrespect, and the fact that somebody wants
Kelley, Rhonda H., “Communication between Men and Women in the Context of the Christian Community”. Retrieved on October 4, 2004 from http://www.cbmw.org/resources/articles/gender_communication.php
Wives are to submit to their husbands in ways that honor God, husbands are to love their wives and not take advantage of them. The role the husband and wife relationship plays directly mirrors the relationship of Christ and the church. Both parties are to be courteous to one another the same way Christ is with the church. The same way the church submits to Christ is the same way wives are to submit to their husbands as the leadership in the home. Husbands are to love their wives the same way they love
Though cultures have many differences there have been a few traits that have united them across the spans of time and geographical area. Many of these traits have even been included in religious doctrine or social and moral laws. In western philosophy and religions the concept of respect has help a high place, allowing a clear distinction between those who have experience and answers to those who are young and naïve. Religions such as Christianity and Mormonism stress greatly that the young should respect the elderly, while the Judaic religion provides a strict consequence, should this command be broken. By Old Testament law, the disrespectful child was to be taken to the town council, and then promptly stoned to avoid the spread of the sin and to keep ?God?s Chosen? pure.
Sex education has been a taboo subject for a long time, even out of schools. Usually an ignored topic of discussion, when adults would be asked such questions by younger individuals the answers were usually misinformation and complex euphemisms. This strategy, use merely so the adult avoided embarrassing themselves, would only further confuse the person asking and it would not even answer the original question. Such examples include babies being brought to the parents by a stork, the birds and the bees, and naming the sexual organs after objects. Due to culture, such customs have been hard to get rid of and improve upon, especially with many of this shame originating from organized religion. In recent years though, conservatism on this education