Abstract
This study investigates how cultural differences, gender role priming, partner’s sexual preferences, and women’s experienced sexual pleasure influence women’s likelihood of consenting to their least favorite sexual practices, including oral sex, anal sex, and having sex when not in the mood. We compared predictors of sexual consent of cisgender heterosexual Chinese and American women as well as how traditional versus egalitarian gender role priming influenced sexual consent. 412 participants completed an online survey. The results revealed that women were more likely to consent to than enjoy the sexual practices examined. Women’s experienced sexual pleasure and their partner’s sexual preferences were positively correlated with women’s sexual consent. More specifically, women's sexual consent was more influenced by partner's sexual preferences, and less influenced by experienced sexual pleasure when exposed to traditional marriage priming compared to egalitarian marriage priming. And Chinese women’s sexual consent was more influenced by partner’s sexual preferences and less influenced by experienced sexual pleasure compared to American women. Traditional gender role priming made women more likely to have sex when not in the mood compared to egalitarian gender role priming, and made Chinese women more likely and American women less likely to consent to anal sex, respectively, compared to egalitarian gender role priming. Overall, cultural and situational differences in gender role expectations significantly influenced the determinants of women’s consent to their least favorite sexual practices, despite cross-cultural consistencies.
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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Appendix
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Traditional Gender Role Priming
Having a happy marriage is important to a woman’s well-being because a happy marriage can provide women with support and satisfaction. A happy marriage is based on mutual understanding and care. Moreover, the ability to be accommodating is helpful in maintaining a happy marriage. Such accommodation can serve as an expression of love and commitment, and can increases your marital satisfaction by reducing marital conflict. Sometimes, it is beneficial to offer your husband what he wants instead of fighting with him. With a little sensitivity to your husband’s needs, you will build a supportive, happy relationship.
Egalitarian Gender Role Priming
Having a healthy marriage is important to a woman’s well-being because a healthy marriage can provide women with support and satisfaction. A healthy marriage is based on respect and reciprocity. Mutual communication is essential to maintain a healthy marriage. Accommodation without communication can be detrimental to a healthy marriage because it may lower your self-esteem if you put your needs second. Sometimes, it is important to communicate your needs and wants with your husband, and ask him to respect them. A good husband should not pressure you into do something you do not want to do. With a little self-assertion, you will build a respectful, healthy relationship.
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Liang, Q., Josephs, L. Determinants of Women’s Consent to their Least Favorite Sexual Practices: A Cross-Cultural Gender Role Priming Study. Sexuality & Culture 28, 425–446 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-023-10124-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-023-10124-9