Sex by Numbers

1. Sex statistics reveal societal changes and challenge assumptions

Statistics are inevitably a bare summary of a mass of personal histories, but they seem particularly inadequate when they concern people having sex against their will.

Evolving social norms. Sex statistics provide a window into changing societal attitudes and behaviors over time. From the Victorian era to the present day, data on sexual practices, contraception use, and relationship patterns reveal profound shifts in cultural norms. For example, the acceptance of premarital sex, same-sex relationships, and diverse sexual practices has increased dramatically in many Western countries over the past century.

Challenging misconceptions. Reliable sex statistics often contradict popular assumptions and stereotypes about sexual behavior. For instance:

• The idea that men think about sex every 7 seconds is unsupported by research
• The notion that beautiful people have more female children lacks solid evidence
• Claims about widespread sex trafficking are often based on flawed data

Methodological challenges. Gathering accurate data on sexual behavior is inherently difficult due to:

• Social desirability bias (people answering in ways they think are socially acceptable)
• Recall bias (difficulty accurately remembering past experiences)
• Sampling issues (certain populations being over- or under-represented)
• Definitional problems (varying interpretations of what constitutes "sex")

2. Measuring sexual activity is complex and prone to bias

We can be confident that around 1 in 40 16-year-old girls got pregnant in England and Wales, and half of all conceptions in under-18s led to abortion.

Self-reporting limitations. Most sex research relies on self-reported data, which can be affected by:

• Embarrassment or shame leading to underreporting
• Exaggeration or boasting, particularly among men
• Misremembering or misreporting due to social expectations

Innovative research methods. To address these challenges, researchers have developed various techniques:

• Computer-assisted self-interviewing to increase privacy
• Biomarkers and physical examinations to verify self-reports
• Population-level data (e.g., birth rates) to infer sexual activity

Interpreting the data. When analyzing sex statistics, it's crucial to consider:

• The specific population studied (e.g., age group, cultural context)
• The time period of data collection
• The precise wording of survey questions
• Potential biases in sampling and data collection methods

3. Sexual practices have evolved dramatically over time

Overall, there's been a major change: in 1990 only 30% of women aged around 50 reported it, and this more than doubled by 2010: these were a new group of women who had grown up in the '70s.

Oral sex acceptance. The prevalence and acceptance of oral sex has increased significantly over the past century. In the early 1900s, it was largely taboo, but by the 2010s, around 70-80% of young adults in Western countries reported engaging in oral sex.

Anal sex trends. Heterosexual anal sex has become more common:

• 1990s: ~10% of 25-34 year olds reported anal sex in the past year
• 2010s: ~17% of 25-34 year olds reported anal sex in the past year

Factors influencing change:

• Increased sexual education and openness
• Changing cultural norms and media representations
• Availability of pornography
• Evolving attitudes towards sexual pleasure and experimentation

4. Same-sex behavior is more common than previously thought

Of people in the USA who have had same-sex experience, the majority identify themselves as 'heterosexual', and many say they are attracted only to the opposite sex.

Identity vs. behavior. Sexual orientation is complex and multifaceted:

• Identity: How people label themselves (e.g., straight, gay, bisexual)
• Attraction: Who people are sexually or romantically drawn to
• Behavior: The gender(s) of people's sexual partners

Prevalence of same-sex experiences:

• Women: ~16% report some same-sex experience (Natsal-3, 2010)
• Men: ~7% report some same-sex experience (Natsal-3, 2010)

Fluidity and change. Sexual orientation can be fluid over time, particularly for women. Younger generations are more likely to report same-sex experiences and non-heterosexual identities.

5. Masturbation attitudes have shifted from taboo to acceptance

The irony is that the medical profession had been giving 'pelvic massage' to women suffering from 'hysteria' for years, in order to bring them to a 'hysterical paroxysm'.

Historical perspective. Attitudes towards masturbation have undergone a dramatic shift:

• 1700s-1800s: Viewed as a dangerous vice causing physical and mental harm
• Early 1900s: Still stigmatized, but some recognition of its prevalence
• Mid-1900s: Kinsey's research highlighted its ubiquity
• Late 1900s-present: Increasingly accepted as normal and healthy

Gender differences. Men consistently report higher rates of masturbation than women:

• ~80% of men vs. ~60% of women report masturbating (various studies)

Health considerations. Modern research suggests potential health benefits of masturbation:

• Stress relief
• Improved sleep
• Better understanding of one's body and sexual responses

6. Age of first sexual experience has important implications

These chances drop somewhat if the couples have sex only once a week: for example, the 19- to 26-year-olds only have an 82% chance. However, there is little advantage of going from twice a week to three times a week, so they are allowed a break.

Changing trends. The average age of first sexual intercourse has shifted over time:

• 1930s birth cohort: ~19 for women, ~18 for men
• 1980s birth cohort: ~16 for both women and men

Early sex and outcomes. Earlier sexual debut is associated with:

• Higher risk of STIs and unintended pregnancy
• Lower likelihood of using contraception at first intercourse
• Potential negative emotional and social consequences

Competence and consent. Research emphasizes the importance of "sexual competence" at first intercourse, including:

• Willingness (not due to peer pressure or intoxication)
• Correct timing (not wishing it had been later)
• Autonomy of decision
• Use of contraception

7. Contraception and abortion have transformed sexual behavior

We've seen that 99.9% of sex does not lead to a pregnancy, and even the 0.1% that ends up in a conception will, we might assume, be just as enjoyable.

Contraceptive revolution. The widespread availability of reliable contraception has:

• Separated sex from reproduction
• Enabled women to control their fertility
• Reduced unintended pregnancies and abortions

Abortion trends. Legal abortion has further transformed sexual behavior and outcomes:

• ~1 in 5 pregnancies in England and Wales end in abortion (2013)
• Abortion rates highest among women in their early 20s

Unplanned pregnancies. Despite contraception, unplanned pregnancies remain common:

• ~45% of pregnancies in Britain are unplanned or ambivalent (Natsal-3)
• Rates highest among younger women and those in less stable relationships

8. Sexual satisfaction is influenced by multiple factors

Overall, there's been a major change: in 1990 only 30% of women aged around 50 reported it, and this more than doubled by 2010: these were a new group of women who had grown up in the '70s.

Satisfaction levels. Most people report being satisfied with their sex lives:

• 80-90% of married people report being physically and emotionally satisfied
• Satisfaction tends to decline somewhat with relationship duration

Factors affecting satisfaction:

• Frequency and quality of sexual activity
• Emotional closeness and communication with partner
• Physical and mental health
• Age and life stage
• Cultural and religious beliefs

Sexual problems. Many people experience sexual difficulties:

• ~40% of women and ~30% of men report at least one sexual problem
• Common issues include low desire, difficulty reaching orgasm, and erectile problems
• Most people do not seek professional help for sexual problems

9. Pornography and technology are reshaping sexual norms

There is now an official 'National Referral Mechanism' that deals with potential victims of trafficking, which received over 580 referrals for sexual exploitation of adults in 2013.

Pornography prevalence. Internet pornography is widely accessed:

• Porn websites rank among the most visited sites globally
• Majority of men and substantial minority of women report viewing porn

Impact on behavior. Pornography may influence sexual expectations and practices:

• Increased interest in certain sexual acts (e.g., anal sex)
• Potential body image issues and performance anxiety
• Debates over addiction and impact on relationships

Technology and sex. Digital technology is changing how people meet and interact sexually:

• Dating apps facilitate casual sexual encounters
• Sexting and sharing of intimate images is common among young people
• Virtual reality and teledildonics offer new forms of remote sexual interaction

10. Sexual health encompasses physical and emotional well-being

Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity.

Holistic approach. Modern sexual health goes beyond disease prevention to include:

• Sexual pleasure and satisfaction
• Healthy relationships and communication
• Body image and self-esteem
• Reproductive choices and rights

STI trends. Sexually transmitted infections remain a significant concern:

• Chlamydia is the most common STI in many countries
• HIV rates have stabilized in many developed countries but remain high in certain populations

Mental health connection. Sexual and mental health are closely linked:

• Sexual problems can contribute to anxiety and depression
• Mental health issues can impact sexual function and satisfaction

11. Gender differences persist in sexual attitudes and behaviors

Men are about half as likely again to have extra-dyadics than are women.

Partner numbers. Men consistently report higher numbers of sexual partners than women:

• This discrepancy is likely due to a combination of reporting bias and definitional issues

Sexual desire. On average, men report higher levels of sexual desire than women:

• This gap tends to widen with age and relationship duration

Attitudes towards casual sex. Men generally have more permissive attitudes:

• More likely to approve of and engage in casual sexual encounters
• Less likely to experience regret after casual sex

Sexual problems. Men and women tend to experience different sexual difficulties:

• Women more likely to report low desire and difficulty reaching orgasm
• Men more likely to report premature ejaculation and erectile difficulties

Last updated: October 3, 2024