The Impact of Gender Expectations on Meanings of Sex and Sexuality: Results from a Cognitive Interview Study

McCabe, Janice; Tanner, Amanda E.; Heiman, Julia R.

doi:10.1007/s11199-009-9723-4

Cited by 69 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The results from this article point to own sexuality having two principal components in both white and black women: the woman's sense of her own sexual attractiveness, and her level of sexual interest. In a subsequent small qualitative study (McCabe, Tanner, & Heiman, 2010) women were presented with the same question about own sexuality as used in this study and were then asked what they thought the question was getting at and what they thought people would think about when answering it. Some of these women focused on sexual desire; others focused on sexual attraction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Well-Being: A Comparison of U.S. Black and White Women in Heterosexual Relationships

2010

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the United States, considerable attention has been directed to sexual behaviors of black and white adolescents, particularly age at first sexual experience and the prevalence of teenage pregnancies. More limited attention has been paid to comparing established sexual relationships in these two racial groups. In this study, we used a national probability sample to compare black (n = 251) and white (n = 544) American women, aged 20-65 years, who were in an established heterosexual relationship of at least 6 months duration. We focused on two aspects of their sexual well-being; how a woman evaluated (1) her sexual relationship and (2) her own sexuality. A range of possible determinants of sexual well-being, including demographic factors, physical and mental health, and aspects of the women's recent sexual experiences, were also assessed using Telephone-Audio-Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing (T-ACASI). We found no significant difference between black and white women in their evaluation of their sexual relationships nor in the independent variables that were correlated with this evaluation. Black women, however, evaluated their own sexuality more positively than white women. In examining the correlates of this evaluation, a woman's rating of her own sexual attractiveness proved to be the strongest predictor, with black women rating themselves significantly more sexually attractive than did the white women. Overall, these findings were consistent with previous findings that, compared to white women, black women in the United States have higher self-esteem and tend towards more independence and individualism.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Well-Being: A Comparison of U.S. Black and White Women in Heterosexual Relationships

2010

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The coital imperative constructs penis-in-vagina penetration (coitus; Myerson, Crawley, Anstey, Kessler & Okopny, 2007) as 'real' sex, the quintessential form of (hetero)sex, with male ejaculation inside the vagina marking the end of 'sex' (Jackson, 1984;McPhillips, Braun, & Gavey, 2001). Coitus tends to override other sexual practices, when people are asked what constitutes 'sex' (Sanders & Reinisch, 1999), although there is much variation in individual understandings of what counts as 'sex' (e.g., McCabe, Tanner & Heiman, 2010). The orgasm imperative extends the coital imperative (McPhillips et al, 2001) to construct orgasm as the gold-standard of sexual enjoyment, the goal -and end -of sex; something all individuals should try to achieve (Béjin, 1986;Potts, 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“It Feels So Good It Almost Hurts”: Young Adults' Experiences of Orgasm and Sexual Pleasure

Opperman

Braun

Clarke

et al. 2013

The Journal of Sex Research

156

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Opperman, E., Braun, V., Clarke, V. and Rogers, C. (2014) Disclaimer UWE has obtained warranties from all depositors as to their title in the material deposited and as to their right to deposit such material. UWE makes no representation or warranties of commercial utility, title, or fitness for a particular purpose or any other warranty, express or implied in respect of any material deposited.UWE makes no representation that the use of the materials will not infringe any patent, copyright, trademark or other property or proprietary rights.UWE accepts no liability for any infringement of intellectual property rights in any material deposited but will remove such material from public view pending investigation in the event of an allegation of any such infringement. Abstract: Orgasm is a 'goal' of much sexual activity, a source of potentially intense pleasure and fulfillment, yet can be fraught with difficulty or distress. Relatively little social science research has explored people's experiences around, and their meanings related to, orgasm, and indeed other sexual pleasures, especially with young adults. This study aimed to provide a rich exploration of the meanings associated with orgasm and sexual pleasure during sex with a partner, to understand the socialpatterning of orgasm experience. A qualitative survey was used to collect data from 119 sexuallyexperienced British young adults (81% women, mean age 20; 92% heterosexual). A descriptive form of thematic analysis that prioritizes participants' meanings and experiences was used to identify and explore patterns in the data. Five main themes reported here are: 1) orgasm: the purpose and end of sex; 2) 'it's more about my partner's orgasm'; 3) orgasm: the ultimate pleasure?; 4) orgasm is not a simple physiological response; and 5) faking orgasm is not uncommon. These (mostly not gendered) themes demonstrate complex and contradictory meanings around orgasm, but also show meaning to be dependent on situation and context. However, they do resonate strongly with widespread discourses of sexuality which prioritize heterosexual coitus, orgasm, and orgasm-reciprocity.

show abstract

“…Grounded in both individual and social activities, sensemaking "involves turning circumstances into a situation that is comprehended explicitly in words and that serves as a springboard into action" (Weick, Sutcliffe, & Obstfeld, 2005: p. 409). Sensemaking occurs within a larger societal frame, and incorporating gender role theories-like those established by Eagly (1987) and Bem (1981)-would prove invaluable to understanding how individuals negotiate societal expectations and personal preferences (McCabe et al, 2010). Specific research projects that explore how individuals make sense of multiple, sometimes competing, memorable experiences about sex appear as potentially insightful and heuristically rich.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Coordinated Management of Meaning of Sex: The Social Construction of Male College Student Logical Forces

Swords¹,

Orbe²,

Cooke‐Jackson³

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Impact of Gender Expectations on Meanings of Sex and Sexuality: Results from a Cognitive Interview Study

Cited by 69 publications

References 31 publications

Sexual Well-Being: A Comparison of U.S. Black and White Women in Heterosexual Relationships

Sexual Well-Being: A Comparison of U.S. Black and White Women in Heterosexual Relationships

“It Feels So Good It Almost Hurts”: Young Adults' Experiences of Orgasm and Sexual Pleasure

Exploring the Coordinated Management of Meaning of Sex: The Social Construction of Male College Student Logical Forces

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About