Romance tops a wide range of sexual behaviours

Adult sexual behaviours and their expressions are diverse and often private. A lot of the times topics about sexuality are shrouded in secrecy and are also taboo in many societies, making it an important topic for researchers to highlight and understand better as it is an important aspect of human behaviour.

The researchers found that many participants had engaged in a wide variety of sexual behaviours and some were fairly common.

Researchers from the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and the Center for Sexual Health Promotion conducted a cross-sectional, Internet-based, U.S. nationally representative probability survey of 2,021 adults (975 men, 1,046 women).

The survey focussed on a broad range of sexual behaviours and the survey participants were asked whether they engaged in more than 30 sexual behaviours. Participants reported on demographic items, lifetime and recent sexual behaviours. Additionally the researchers investigated the appeal of more than 50 sexual behaviours.

Participants were asked about their relationship status: entirely monogamous, monogamous but sexless, monogamous but sexless or open relationship and they reported on their sexual orientation and sexual behaviours.

The researchers found that many participants had engaged in a wide variety of sexual behaviours and some were fairly common.

However on the question of what behaviour was most appealing, surprisingly the most appealing behaviour even for men was romantic and affectionate behaviours.

These included kissing more often during sex, cuddling, saying romantic and sweet things during sex, making the room feel more romantic prior to sex and so on.

Even though both men and women had rated a range of sexual behaviours as appealing and may have tried them a long time back, few of them had engaged in these behaviours in the past month or year.

The findings of this study will help sexuality educators and clinicians have a better understanding of the prevalence and diversity of sexual behaviours in the adult population.

It will also present opportunities for couples to talk more openly about their sexual desires and interests which may go a long way in enhancing their sexual satisfaction and relationship happiness.

But it seems out of all the sexual behaviours, affection and romance tops the popularity list for both for men and women.

Source: PLOS ONE