The Impact of Performance-Based Scripts on Men's Sexual Communication to Peers.

Gender norms related to sexual behavior have a pervasive impact on the psychosocial development of men. These norms have been theorized to influence the formation of male sexual scripts, including those that place high emphasis on performative abilities. While research has indicated that endorsing performance-based scripts can have negative consequences, little work has examined how this sexual ideology is communicated by men to their peer groups. Using structural equation modeling, the current study tested a model of openness to communicate sexual behavior that is incongruent with existing performance-based scripts. A sample of 424 men were recruited from a variety of Internet platforms to participate in a one-time online survey. Results demonstrated that endorsing performance-based scripts impeded men's ability to discuss sexual behavior with male peers, female peers, and sexual partners. Men's lack of transparency about particular sexual experiences may be contributing to harmful narratives that rigidly emphasize sexual performance.