Gender Double Standards in Turkey

We have different rules guiding men’s and women’s sexual behavior. In addition, their attitudes and behaviors in most cases are judged differently. Women are usually stigmatized for engaging in any sexual activity outside of marriage, whereas for men such behavior is expected and even rewarded. Social construction of masculinity and femininity plays an important role in these understandings, and both females and males learn how to behave in society within the cultural norms of masculinity and femininity. Elements of masculinity and femininity are commonly set up as binary opposites, and people’s sexual behaviors have clear gender stereotypes. For example, men are usually expected sexually active, aggressive and independent whereas women are taught to be passive and dependent throughout lifelong socialization process. The purpose of the present study is to investigate gender differences in the use of double standards in ethical judgements about virginity and premarital sex. The study investigates if people are more critical towards women’s sexual behavior. Also, the study analyzes how the gender of the respondents along with other variables such as education and religiosity would influence the gender double standards. The study utilizes a nationally representative survey conducted by Social Sciences University of Ankara in 2015.