The Relational Nature of Gender, the Pervasiveness of Heteronormative Sexual Scripts, and the Impact on Sexual Pleasure

Abstract

This study examined how gender shapes sexual interactions and pleasure outcomes. We highlight varying expectations people have in regard to sex by combining questions about orgasm frequency and sexual pleasure. Our analysis was driven from a sample of 907 survey responses from cis women, cis men, trans women, trans men, non-binary, and intersex millennial respondents, 324 of which had gender-diverse sexual histories. The findings built upon previous literature about the orgasm gap by including those with underrepresented gender identities and expanding our conceptualization of gender’s role in the gap beyond gender identity. Qualitative results indicated that individuals change their behavior based on their partner’s gender and follow strong gendered scripts. Participants also relied upon heteronormative scripts and cis normative roles to set their interactions for the sexual encounter. Our findings support previous research on how gender identity impacts pleasure outcomes and has implications for how we might make gender progress in the arena of sexuality.

A critical review of sociological research on sexual pleasure

“…By limiting the spaces in which pleasure is permitted to exist—typically married, heterosexual (White) penetrative penis‐in‐vagina intercourse (Rubin, 1984)—individuals who have sex in ways outside these boundaries are excluded from sexual discourse. Sexuality is a domain in which individuals feel great pressure to enact social roles, particularly those associated with gender (Bonell et al., 2022; Boydell et al., 2021; Fahs, 2014; Fahs & Swank, 2011; Harvey et al., 2023; Haus & Thompson, 2020; Leistner & Mark, 2023; Lentz & Zaikman, 2021; Miller, 2021; Missari, 2021; Pilcher, 2023; Thorpe & Kuperberg, 2021; Waling, 2023; Waskul & Anklan, 2020). This serves to reinforce existing inequalities stemming from such roles, especially the notion that women exist primarily in service to men (Burke, 2016).…”

Biological Sex, Gender Roles, and Sexual Scripts

“…It is evident that vaginal sex is the most frequently occurring sexual activity in couples, followed by oral sex and mutual masturbation (Herbenick et al, 2017;Roberts et al, 2021). Traditional sexual script dictates that sexual activity ends after man reaches orgasm (Harvey, 2023;Mintz, 2023). There are inconclusive data around prevalence of oral sex between genders (there are studies that shows almost no difference - Herbenick et al, 2017;Roberts et al, 2021), but there is a significant body of research that indicates that women are significantly more likely to engage in oral sex as givers (Wood et al, 2016).…”

“…In traditional sexual scripts, women are expected to adopt a sexually submissive and passive role (Rubin et al, 2019;Harvey et al, 2023;Buday, 2013;Hill & Andrews, 2017); they are expected to have a lower sex drive (Rubin et al, 2019). They are anticipated to resist the advances of men, sometimes engaging in token resistance (Frith & Kitzinger, 2001;Buday, 2013;Sakaluk, 2013;Krahé & Berger, 2023).…”

“…Women are also expected to associate sex with affection or love, preferring sexual activity within the context of relationships, while seeking emotional intimacy and trust (Hill & Andrews, 2017;Sakaluk, 2013). Additionally, women are expected to prioritize sexually pleasing men (Andrejek et al, 2020;Rubin et al, 2019;Mahar et al, 2020;Harvey et al, 2023;Sakaluk, 2013). Research suggests that women are more likely to view their own orgasm as a happy extra rather than a primary goal (Rubin et al, 2019;Mahar et al, 2020;Harvey et al, 2023).…”

What Sexual Problems Does a Sample of LGB+ People Report Having, and How Do They Define Sexual Pleasure: A Qualitative Study to Inform Clinical Practice

“…Although some quantitative [36] and mixed methods studies have highlighted the gendered nature of sexual pleasure and how dominant heteronormative scripts frame sexual pleasure, there is still much to be explored. For example, research on transgender people is still framed by heteronormative scripts [37].…”