Sexual Stereotypes
From Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality
The traits men and women are believed to possess because of their sex—whether or not they really are related to their sex—are called sexual stereotypes. Like assumptions about the qualities or characteristics of members of other groups (for example, racial or ethnic groups that often are regarded as being more or less violent than others, or more or less trustworthy or athletic or intelligent than others), stereotypes about men and women and the differences between them tend to stem from personal observations or old conventions.
Stereotypes of women usually focus on their presumed personality traits and intellectual abilities, so that they often are seen as more caring and nurturing and more emotional, less analytic, and less sexual than men (although some women may be stereotyped as insatiably sexual if their libidos are freed from restraint). The stereotypes associated with men characterize them as emotionally detached, aggressive, ambitious, and less concerned with relationships.
Stereotypes assume that any member of a group will possess the traits associated with it. They do not recognize the range of variation of personality traits and abilities among individuals in all groups.
