A recent study has delved into the elements people appreciate most about sexual encounters with a partner, potentially prompting a reevaluation of your own approach.
Researchers at Indiana University Bloomington conducted a survey involving over 4,000 individuals, aiming to uncover what participants value most in their sexual relationships. This study sought to shed light on the favorite aspects of being intimate with a partner.
For those who have relied on shows like Sex Education to fill in the gaps left by inadequate school-based sex education, the findings might offer some surprises.
The study enlisted 4,030 participants, comprised of 2,016 women and 2,014 men, with ages ranging from 18 to 91.
Published in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, the study asked participants to “[Describe your] favorite things about being sexual with a partner.”
Considering the subject matter, it wasn’t entirely shocking that some participants approached the study with humor, with remarks like ‘sex is great, period,’ and another stating simply ‘everything’.
Some responses were less uplifting; for instance, a 66-year-old woman described sex as merely ‘just part of [her] job being married’.
Nevertheless, the majority of responses were positive, ultimately categorized into 22 key groups.
The researchers found that many participants highlighted specific sex acts they enjoy, ranging from ‘kissing’ to ‘oral sex’, with many respondents being male. Additionally, less explicit answers included mentions of ‘hugging’, ‘massage’, and ‘touching stomachs’.
Beyond individual acts, participants valued aspects of pleasing their partner, feeling ‘love/care’, and experiencing ‘feeling good’.
Interestingly, ‘orgasm’ ranked only sixth in popularity, with less common themes including ‘kink and pain’, ‘fantasy/imagination’, ‘bodies and primal urges’, and ‘children/procreation’.
The top aspect valued by participants during sexual encounters?
The study highlighted that 912 participants placed the highest value on ‘closeness’ or ‘intimacy’ in their sexual relationships, whether that intimacy was physical, emotional, or spiritual.
One participant described experiencing ‘overwhelming feelings of closeness,’ another spoke of getting ‘lost in the moment,’ and a third mentioned feeling as though the world ceased to ‘exist,’ leaving ‘just the two of us’ that ‘matters’.
The study concluded by emphasizing the ‘diverse aspects of sex enjoyed by people across the lifespan,’ reinforcing the ‘positive aspects of sexuality,’ and encouraging a broader understanding of ‘sexual pleasure and enjoyment’ to affirm a wide range of sexual experiences.
So, it might be worth considering these findings the next time you engage in an intimate moment with someone.