Studies have shown that there are apparent differences when it comes to gender and online sexual activity and experience. Researchers have broken down OSA's into three separate categories in order to further explain these differences. Non-arousal, solitary-arousal, or partnered-arousal make up the three categories used by researchers to give detail in differences amongst males and females, These categories were completed measures of OSA experience, sexual attitudes, and sexual experiences. Non-arousal activities are identified as seeking sexual information, solitary-arousal activities are known as viewing sexually explicit videos, and partnered-arousal activities are described as maintaining a sexual partner online (Shaughnessy, Byers, and Walsh, 2011).
Literature reviews reveal findings that show men will engage in intercourse more frequently and at a younger age, as well as engage in more casual sex and masturbate. Additionally, women are reported to expect sexual activity to not occur until later into the relationship giving the impression that women intertwine sexual activity and long lasting relationships (Shaughnessy et al., 2011). More men than women engage in solitary and partnered-arousal and do so more often than do women. In addition, reports showed no signs of significant difference between men and women when it came to non-arousal experiences.
Non-Arousal OSA'S
This category does not require that men and women express themselves in a sexual manner. This in turn would explain the reasoning as to why studies show there are no difference between men and women within this category of OSA (Shaughnessy et al., 2011).
Solitary-Arousal OSA'S
These users primary reason for engaging in online sexual activity is to engage in sexual activities without their real world partners. Men have shown to engage more in this category than women do (Shaughnessy et al., 2011).
Partnered-Arousal OSA's
This category of users has reported that both men and women show the same frequency of use for partnered-arousal OSA. This is because the partnered-arousal activity involves engaging in OSA with the same person on multiple occasions such as the aspect of maintaining a relationship founded online. While studies show that men slightly engage in partnered-arousal more frequently than women, it is predicted that women are catching up at a rapid pace (Shaughnessy et al., 2011).
Additional Information:
http://www2.unb.ca/~byers/projects/OSA.html
Literature reviews reveal findings that show men will engage in intercourse more frequently and at a younger age, as well as engage in more casual sex and masturbate. Additionally, women are reported to expect sexual activity to not occur until later into the relationship giving the impression that women intertwine sexual activity and long lasting relationships (Shaughnessy et al., 2011). More men than women engage in solitary and partnered-arousal and do so more often than do women. In addition, reports showed no signs of significant difference between men and women when it came to non-arousal experiences.
Non-Arousal OSA'S
This category does not require that men and women express themselves in a sexual manner. This in turn would explain the reasoning as to why studies show there are no difference between men and women within this category of OSA (Shaughnessy et al., 2011).
Solitary-Arousal OSA'S
These users primary reason for engaging in online sexual activity is to engage in sexual activities without their real world partners. Men have shown to engage more in this category than women do (Shaughnessy et al., 2011).
Partnered-Arousal OSA's
This category of users has reported that both men and women show the same frequency of use for partnered-arousal OSA. This is because the partnered-arousal activity involves engaging in OSA with the same person on multiple occasions such as the aspect of maintaining a relationship founded online. While studies show that men slightly engage in partnered-arousal more frequently than women, it is predicted that women are catching up at a rapid pace (Shaughnessy et al., 2011).
Additional Information:
http://www2.unb.ca/~byers/projects/OSA.html