GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTION OF ROMANTIC LOVE

Abstract

Present exploratory study entitled “Gender differences in perception of Romantic Love” was undertaken in Hyderabad and Secunderabad city. Perception on sexual relationship scale (PSRS) was developed by researcher to study gender differences in perception of romantic love. 400 men and women of 21- 60 years and above age group were selected as a sample for the study. It was found that mostly female respondents defined love as understanding, caring, and respect whereas mostly male respondents said that it is a friendship, passion, concern and care. Men tended more often to believe in love at first sight than women. Both of them, across age groups in higher percentages felt that understanding nature andphysical appearance are the most critical factor for love. Men and women across age groups felt that often sexual attraction was mistaken for love. Men felt romance is not necessary in sex, whereas women felt it is necessary. Selfcenteredness was reported as the most important reason for the breakup of romantic relationships by most of the male and female respondents. According to male respondents nonverbal expression of love is the best way to express romantic love. Female respondents said that verbally expressing affection, such as saying “I love you” frequently, emotional and moral support of the partner in need, respecting partner’s opinion is the best way to express love towards partner. Whilst the term ‘Sex’ refers to the physical aspects, particularly the act of sexual intercourse, sexuality has a broad meaning, encompassing not only physical but also social and mental aspects. Sexuality underpins much of who and what a person is and has significance throughout every-one’s life. To the largest extent, human sexuality determines who we are. It is an integral factor in the uniqueness of every person”. Sexuality is an essential part of a person’s make-up or psyche and expressing it is a basic human right.Earlier Studies on gender differences in sexuality shows that, female sex drive is more malleable than the male in response to sociocultural and situational factors. A large assortment of evidence supports 3 predictions (a) Individual women will exhibit more variation across time than men in sexual behavior, (b) female sexuality will exhibit larger effects than male in response to most specific sociocultural variables, and (c) sexual attitude-behavior consistency will be lower for women than men (Roy, 2000). It was also found that fewer females than males engaged in premarital sexual behaviors. In the most recent National Family Health Survey (2005–2006), 9% of young men aged 15–19 and 13% aged 20–24 reported having had premarital sex. In the same survey, 1% of females in each of those agegroups reported premarital sex (IIPS and Macro International 2007).