Gender Control Theory

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The data on this question are not extensive, but they are somewhat helpful. It appears that the female control theory has the advantage with regard to first-time sex, because women regularly conceal their sexual interest and desire in that situation. We have reviewed several lines of evidence pitting the male and female control theories against each other. The link between sociopolitical power and suppression of female sexuality has been cited as relevant evidence, but it appears to be consistent with both theories, so it is not helpful. Legal Restrictions and Punishments Men have usually controlled laws, and laws can be used to regulate sex. If the purpose of the male control was to stifle female sexuality, men would use the legal system (which…show more content…
Religious women feel more guilty than other women about many sexual activities, and they act in ways suggesting sexual stifling. For example, religious women are less likely than other women to engage in oral or anal sex, lesbian sex, masturbation, and other sexual practices (Adams & Turner, 1985; Harrison, Bennett, Globetti, & Alsikafi, 1974; Laumann et al., 1994). It is therefore tempting to regard religion as supporting the male control theory. Yet, the view that men use religion to suppress female sexuality is open to question, and on further consideration it suffers from several empirical and theoretical problems. First and foremost, religion seems to appeal more to women than to men. All of the studies reviewed here reported that women attend church more regularly than men and indicate more religiosity than men on most measures (e.g., Francis & Wilcox, 1998; Levin & Taylor, 1993; Walter & Davie, 1998). The difference may be even bigger than these numbers suggest, because apparently many men who do go to church are brought along by their wives. Levitt (1995) reported that “the decline in the proportion of attenders who are male…show more content…
530). She found no gender difference among preschoolers at church (Sunday school), with 87% of girls and 86% of boys attending at least sometimes. By the ages of 12–13 years, however, 47% of the girls attended regularly, as compared with only 5% of the boys. Girls overall had more positive attitudes toward Christianity, although not greater knowledge of its doctrines, a pattern consistent with other findings (Francis, 1989). In a sample of 38 families, Levitt did not find a single case in which the father attended more often than the mother or the son attended more often than the daughter. Nor is this a modern phenomenon. Cott (1977) described the “feminization of religion” that occurred during colonial times in America. By 1650, females consistently represented the majority of people in attendance in New England churches. Other evidence has suggested an even earlier feminine thrust to Christianity. Stark’s (1996) demographic research on the rise of Christianity during the Roman empire revealed that women led the way in converting to Christianity, outnumbering men in early
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