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Adult Sexuality Never Married (Young) Adults • dealing with issues of sexual orientation and defining one’s sexual identity seems to be more difficult for males than females  sexual maturity depends upon becoming responsible about sex and developing the capacity for intimacy • never married individuals are an increasing portion of population – primarily due to later age of first marriage • median age is now 27yr. for men, 25yr. for women • during their twenties, the majority of women & almost half of men have only one sexual relationship prior to marriage – 40% of men & 28% of women in their twenties have two or more sexual relationships before marriage (serial monogamy) Cohabitation • although less than 10% of all couples are currently cohabiting, 42% of Americans have cohabited at least once by the age of 29, & majority of couples currently entering marriage have cohabited • characteristics of cohabiting relationships – don’t last long – plan to marry (60% do) – divorce rate for those who marry is higher than married couples who did not cohabit – many include formerly married partners – almost half involve children – more frequent intercourse than married couples Marital Sex • about 92% marry, 50% divorce, 80% remarry • married couples have the most sex, enjoy it the most, & are most likely to experience orgasm • frequency of intercourse = 2-3 times/week for married couples in their twenties, rate declines as they get older (once/week in their fifties) – rate has remained about the same for last 60 years • biggest change in marital sex over last 50 years is increase in oral sex • Which partner is more likely to initiate sex? – 51% husbands, 33% both/equal, 16% wives • masturbation is common and normal • husbands report higher rates of physical & emotional satisfaction with sexual relationship – frequency and satisfaction correlated (but not necessarily causal) • in dual career families, sexual satisfaction is correlated with both spouses job satisfaction

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Extramarital Sex • not as common as many people believe; incidence seems to have declined over last 25 years • probably about 25% of husbands & 15% of wives have engaged in extramarital sex at least once – ethnic differences • attitudes have remained relatively unchanged (3/4 disapprove) – greater tolerance among men (as compared to women) and among those with higher levels of education & social class – approval or tolerance not good predictors of behavior • likelihood of extramarital sex related to equity in marital relationship • swinging: consensual extramarital sex – social characteristics of participants Postmarital Sex • virtually all divorced & widowed men, most divorced women, but fewer widowed women return to active sex life – variation based on age, presence of children Sex and the Elderly • our society has negative attitude toward sexual expression among the elderly – youth oriented culture – belief that sex is for reproduction – incest taboo – misunderstandings about sexual activity • sexual behavior of the elderly is related to cultural expectations • need good physical & mental health, regular sexual expression in order to maintain sexual capacity • husband is usually responsible for cessation of sex • 1999 A.A.R.P. survey indicates all forms of sexual activity continue past 70

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