What Are Sex Myths?

Sex myths continue to perpetuate wrongful thoughts concerning sex and effect how partners communicate about sex. Sex myths are defined as: “a false belief about sexual behaviour or physiology that is either scientifically inaccurate or downright apocryphal” (Masher, 1979, p. 224). A theoretical basis of sex myths must be understood prior to exploring sex myths. It is important to be properly educated about sex to avoid communication issues due to false information. There are different myths associated with males and others with females. Gender because a variable the spread of myths. According to a study on 87 male and 88 female college students, “men endorse significantly more sex myths than college women” (Masher, 1979, p. 224). In order to measure the attitudes about sex myths, the study had participants complete the ‘Sex Myth Inventory.’ In this inventory, researchers selected and edited …show more content…
The study found that “inaccurate sexual information and beliefs in sex myths are too common in college students” (Masher, 1979, p. 231). This demonstrates that myths are gender based and are dominant among a younger generation. The explanation behind males believing and spreading more myths can be explained by the term homosocial learning. Homosocial learning is explained as males learn from other boys what it means to be masculine. Additionally, “sexual socialization of males in the homosocial peer group may leave them vulnerable to sex myths confusing the biology and psychology of male and female sexuality” (Masher, 1979, p. 232). Homosocial peer discussions are conversations that involve exaggerations and distortions. The research shows that a majority of males are informing each other falsely about sex. This false information becomes troublesome when these males are involved with a partner sexually. The information creates barriers in their sexual