by Courtney Keskinen

Created on: June 25, 2008   Last Updated: November 22, 2011

Since the beginning of time, there have been unfortunate stereotypes placed on women's sexuality. If a man has multiple sexual partners and boasts of his exploits to friends, he seems to gain a sense of notoriety. However, a woman meeting the same criteria is seen as "loose" or "easy." Of course, many do not subscribe to this sort of thinking, but it has been seen more often than most would like to admit. I have numerous male friends in which this topic of conversation has risen. The insight into their beliefs is very interesting and can be surprising.

Males in their late teens and early twenties often engage in sexual experiences with multiple partners and the general population almost expects this to occur. The social consciousness tends to "sweep it under the rug," defending the fact that a man in this demographic is at his sexual peak and is "not going to turn down sex."

However, the opposite seems to be true for women. Women are thought to have lower sex drives and thus are expected to turn down sexual opportunities in an effort to protect their virtue and reputation. These notions have been present since the Victorian Era and while they don't inhibit all women, they also can't be completely discounted or ignored. While the concept of "free love" in the 1960's awakened sexual awareness and how it related to women, the moral conflict of sexual mores and stereotypes is still very prevalent in today's society.

The pop-culture idea of "slutty" has most certainly changed over the years. The culture has shifted to become more accepting of previously taboo notions. Television series such as "Sex and the City" and "Lipstick Jungle," portray attractive and successful women who are open about their sexuality and have no qualms with "dating like a man." In modern society, more women are freer with their sexuality and refuse to relent to the past stigmas that a woman cannot enjoy sexual experiences or must be a virgin on her wedding night.

However, in general, the opinion of many men can be surprising. Many men have theories and fantasies of a woman's sexuality. Various movies, magazines and books depict women in a sexually aggressive fashion because this is what men have found appealing. The common fantasy of a "take charge" woman who knows what she wants and has been with various suitors in order to attain it. However, these are not necessarily the women that men will rush out to marry.

Most men will eventually settle down with someone who has at the very least

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