Biology establishes only very general gender-specific natural tendencies and behavioral differences; society further shapes the outward expression of those biological differences into more particular gender-based behavioral expression. However, cultural influences account for the precise way those tendencies manifest themselves in the specific behavior among individuals within social groups. Within Latino cultures, for example, over-idealization of the mother figure often conflicts with the male acknowledgement of female sexuality in a manner that affects marriage negatively (Abreu, Goodyear, Campos, et al., 2000).
Specifically, the so-called "whore-Madonna" complex makes it difficult for many men to reconcile their contradictory views of women in such a way that they cannot perceive their wives as both sexual beings and good mothers to their children. In many ways, this explains the comparative greater frequency of male infidelity being perceived as an excusable manner of fulfilling a need rather than a violation of marital values within certain cultures (Abreu, Goodyear, Campos, et al., 2000). While biology is undoubtedly responsible for a large part of the apparent differences in the respective patterns of extramarital sexuality between the genders, it is social learning and internalized cultural values that determines the typical patterns of their expression.
Married non-Latino males also engage in extramarital sex more frequently than females, but generally, by virtue of the spontaneous sexual urges to which all males are more susceptible than females, or as a reflection of marital problems. Married Latino males tend to engage in extramarital affairs more because of culturally learned values that conflict with their ability to seek sexual fulfillment from their wives without diminishing their respect for her in her maternal role (Abreu, Goodyear, Campos, et al., 2000).
The prominence of cultural learning is a function of the degree of variation among different human societies and local communities, which in turn, are directly attributable to the human intellect.
Whereas the gender-based behavioral difference in other animal species are exclusively explained by biology and experience, in humans, biology and personal experience provide mere starting points for social learning. The largest determinant of gender expression in humans is social learning and the internalization of cultural values and beliefs to which every individual is exposed throughout his life.
References Abreu, Jose M.; Goodyear, Rodney K.; Campos, Alvaro; Newcomb, Michael D. "Ethnic Belonging and Traditional Masculinity Ideology Among African-Americans, European-Americans, and Latinos." Psychology of Men and Masculinity 1, no. 2 (2000): 75-86.
Bruch, Monroe A. "Shyness and Toughness: Unique and Moderated Relations With Men's Emotional Inexpression." Journal of Counseling Psychology 49, no. 1 (2002): 28-34.
Efthim, Paul W.; Kenny, Maureen E.; and Mahalik, James R. "Gender Role Stress in relation to Shame, Guilt, and Externalization." Journal of Counseling and Development 79, no. 4 (2001): 430-438.
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