# Gender Stereotypes and Sexual Double Standards Among Chilean University Students: Psychometric and Sociocultural Evidence

## TL;DR

This study explores gender stereotypes among Chilean university students and how these stereotypes contribute to sexual double standards.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a new instrument for assessing gender stereotypes and identifies three key dimensions through factor analysis.

## Key findings

- Three main dimensions of gender stereotypes were identified: traditional masculinity, feminine caregiving stereotypes, and moralizing norms regarding female behavior.
- The study highlights how these stereotypes contribute to double standards legitimizing greater sexual freedom for men and stricter control over women.
- Educational interventions are recommended to challenge gender stereotypes and promote equity in higher education.

## Abstract

This study presents the results of the application of an instrument designed to assess gender stereotypes in a cohort of 672 Chilean students. An exploratory factor analysis identified three main dimensions: traditional masculinity, feminine caregiving stereotypes, and moralizing norms regarding female behavior. To further distinguish attitudinal variation, a segmented analytical approach is proposed. The results are discussed in light of gender theory and differentiated socialization, highlighting how these stereotypical configurations operate as a psychological and normative substrate that contributes to the persistence of double standards based on gender, legitimizing greater sexual freedom for men and stricter moral control over female sexuality. Finally, the educational implications of these findings are discussed, emphasizing the need for educational interventions that critically question gender stereotypes and promote higher education oriented toward equity and non-sexist training.