Explain gender differences in sexual socialization and how they affect individuals

- Differences are small- Males encouraged to experiment, initiate, and enjoy sex without emotional involvement, message to be conquest-oriented and desire multiple partners- Females taught in the context of loving relationships with one partner, learn about romance, physical attractiveness, and catching a mate, not encouraged to experiment, chastised for different behavior- Females have more negative associations to sex (pain, pregnancy fears, sexual violence, double standard)

Gender differences in sexual socialization are evident in the ways in which males and females are encouraged to approach and experience sex. Males are often encouraged to be more assertive, initiate sexual encounters, and enjoy sex without emotional involvement. They are often socialized to be conquest-oriented and to desire multiple partners. Females, on the other hand, are typically taught in the context of loving relationships with one partner. They learn about romance, physical attractiveness, and the importance of catching a mate. Females are not encouraged to experiment sexually and may be chastised for different behaviors. Additionally, females tend to have more negative associations with sex, such as pain, fears of pregnancy, sexual violence, and the double standard.